Reset and Renew in the New Year

Setting a new schedule for the mind and body. Trying to find your own circadian rhythm, a natural way to flow. Relieving stress and enhancing a more positive view for the New Year.

Getting up in the morning and starting the day either resetting or renewing the body is a great way to try and reset your circadian rhythm. Making sure to support your body with healthy organic food, eliminating as much sugar as possible and drinking plenty of water.

Here are some recommendations of what could be taken to clean up specific organs in the body. This regiment can be done up to 14 days. Making sure to renew the body as well, putting clean substance back in, and keeping a nice balance.

RENEW- (MORNING OR EVENING. JUST OPPOSITE OF “RESET”)

Milk Thistle: Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin or silybin. The silymarin and/ or silybin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Silymarin, and silybin are generally used interchangeably; however, each of these compounds has specific characteristics and actions, with an intrinsic beneficial or toxic effect. Due to Milk thistle’s liver-protecting effects, it is regularly used as a therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and/ or hepatitis. Milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances.

Burdock root: Burdock Root can help to remove waste from the blood and body. It works as a diuretic helping to stimulate the kidneys, allowing urine to be passed more frequently and in greater quantity. This helps to cleanse the kidneys and can prevent water retention. Burdock Root is also “diaphoretic”, meaning it increases sweating – another important route via which the body eliminates toxins. Burdock Root contains inulin, a soluble and prebiotic fibre that helps improve digestion. Acting as food for healthy gut bacteria, inulin helps regulate inflammation and remove toxins from the body. Burdock Root also contains mucilage which acts as a protection for the gastric mucosa (the mucous membrane layer of the stomach), helping it to heal – this is especially useful if it has been damaged by acidity or inflammation.

Black Walnut: The hulls of the Black Walnut contain antioxidants and are used in extracts and supplements to treat parasitic infections or decrease inflammation. Black walnut hull extracts have antioxidant and antibacterial activities, preventing the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that can cause infections.

Wormwood: Wormwood has been used to treat intestinal worms as far back as Ancient Egypt. This parasite-fighting property is attributed to thujone. Thujone is thought to excite your brain by blocking gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that has calming effects on the central nervous system. Please take in dosages recommend by your wellness adviser. As taking too much wormwood could be toxic. Besides thujone, another notable wormwood compound is chamazulene. It acts as an antioxidant and is most concentrated in the essential oils of the plant’s pre-flowering stage. Antioxidants like chamazulene may combat oxidative stress in your body, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and other ailments. Artemisinin is another plant compound found in wormwood. Artemisinin is thought to inhibit cytokines, which are proteins secreted by your immune system that promote inflammation. Due to its antibacterial properties, black walnut extract is used in wormwood complex supplements. Wormwood complex is a tincture made from black walnut hulls, wormwood, and cloves. It’s a natural remedy against parasitic infections.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon balances blood sugar and has intense antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic: Garlic has long been known for its heart benefits; however, the pungent food is also good at detoxifying the body. Garlic is not only antiviral, antibacterial and antibiotic, it also contains a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins.

Clove: Cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to act as a natural antioxidant. Eugenol can stop oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Good to take small doses, as large doses may have a toxic effect. Cloves have many potential health benefits, including keeping blood sugar in check and helping block the growth of bacteria. You can easily incorporate ground cloves into chilies, soups, curries or even teas.

RESET- (MORNING OR EVENING. JUST OPPOSITE OF “RENEW”)

Probiotics: Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. The human body has two kinds of bacteria constantly in and on the body. Good bacteria and Bad bacteria. Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps keep your body healthy and working well. These good bacteria help you in many ways, including fighting off bad bacteria when you have too much of it, helping you feel better. Here is some information on two strains of Bacteria.

Saccharomyces boulardii: Saccharomyces boulardii a yeast that happens to function like a probiotic in the body. It helps to regulate the intestines and protect them from pathogens and other things that can damage the intestinal lining. It also modulates different parts of your immune system and keeps the intestinal barrier function up and running.

Lactobacillus acidophilus: Lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of bacteria found in your intestines. It's a member of the Lactobacillus genus of bacteria, and it plays an important role in human health. Its name gives an indication of what it produces, (lactic acid.) It does this by producing an enzyme called lactase.

Wheatgrass: Wheatgrass is a natural source of vitamins and minerals. This would include vitamins A, E, C, K and B6, Calcium, selenium, magnesium and iron. he leaves are tough to digest, so they’re usually crushed and squeezed to make juice. Wheatgrass leaves also can be dried and made into tablets or capsules. Some people mix wheatgrass with water and use it as an enema to cleanse the digestive system. Others eat raw wheatgrass because they believe that cooking foods destroys the natural enzymes.

Chlorella: Chlorella is full of protein, calories, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, zinc. Chlorella as has a lot of Omega 3, an essential polyunsaturated fat that is important for proper cell growth and brain function. Polyunsaturated fats have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Spirulina: Spirulina is full of protein, riboflavin, thiamine, iron and copper. The protein found in both spirulina and chlorella contains essential amino acids, and your body easily absorbs it. Studies have shown that chlorella and spirulina have the potential to improve heart health by affecting your blood lipid composition and blood pressure levels. spirulina may help increase insulin sensitivity in both animals and humans.

- Natasha Eagleson, Wellness Lead, Enjoy Centre