The Lazy Girl's Guide To Detox

Sun Herald

Sunday June 1, 2008

Kristie Lau

Sure, we know that the only road to true purity is the full detox, but who has the time? By KRISTIE LAU.

FOOT THERAPY

With more than 60 acupuncture points located on the soul of each foot and because most of the body's toxins travel downwards throughout the day, it's worth directing attention to your feet. An AOK Ion Cleanse is a good start. For 30 minutes, your feet are submerged in a foot spa filled with millions of ions that travel all the way around your body and attach themselves to toxins. They're then lured back into the water through your feet, turning tap water into a murky mess of hideousness. A water-colour chart helps to decipher what exactly is seeping out of you; whether it's heavy metals, blood-clot material or liver and gall-bladder waste.

Clients have experienced higher energy levels and muscle relief after just one session. Give it a test-run at Foothaven, Shop 3075, Level 3, Westfield Bondi Junction. Phone (02) 9386 9969. Prices start from $35 and a set of 12 sessions costs $360.

Foot detox patches are another quick-fix option. Attach the dry packs to your feet before bedtime and in the morning awake to reveal a sticky, brown, pungent patch, reportedly due to the toxins drawn out. A seven-day pack of patches is available from Pennington Cleansing Foot Patches for $39.95. See www.penningtoncosmetics.com for stockists.

THE DETOX BOX

They're not kidding - it really is a wooden box. For 30 minutes, you are invited to strip off and sweat out roughly the same amount of perspiration that you would on a 10-kilometre run - and all you've got to do is sit there and soak it all up. Infrared rays help to eliminate clogged-up toxins and any traces of heavy metals are also wiped out. It also claims to improve skin tone and assist in weight management while calming the mind. It's a scorching 47 degrees inside so you can't lean against the walls but you're given two huge glasses of water with electrolytes to drink while you're in there. A colleague claimed to be feeling full of energy and sporting plump, fresh skin straight after a trial run. One session will set you back $35 and you can pick up a package of 10 for $300. Try it out at Beatrixe Contour Clinic, Suite 6, 710 New South Head Road, Rose Bay; (02) 9388 2355.

PURIFY AT HOME

If you can tackle a solid(ish) commitment, Blackmore's 10-day Detox Program is supposed to be unbeatable.

Supplements include a good, strong dose of milk thistle tablets (to help nurse those exhausted livers back into shape) as well as digestive bitters that tone the digestive system and laxative granules to get rid of excess waste.

An exfoliating glove, meal plans and a motivational CD are also squeezed into this wonder program that's priced at $64.95. See www.blackmores.com.au.

The Lemon Detox Diet is another popular DIY-detox. It's been around for more than 30 years but celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles (right), Angelina Jolie and Madonna are reported devotees. The blend of lemon juice, pepper, water and Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup is said to be a sure-fire detox winner.

Six to nine glasses a day will give you stronger nails, shinier hair and improved digestion. See www.lemondetox.com.au.

BODY WRAPS

Popular in the past for eliminating cellulite, body wraps are quickly becoming a popular detox method, too, and loads of day spas are cottoning on. Plus, they're a hit with the stars - supermodel Heidi Klum (far left) and rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs are said to be fans. Zen Day Spa offers a fantastic Power Recovery Wrap that draws out toxins in just one hour. The thermal wrap (that feels more like a big, snuggly quilt) also helps to feed the skin with the nourishment it's been lacking - a blend of wheat protein and honey helps to hydrate the skin while a mix of wasabi, ginger and white tea assists your blood in circulating as it should. You'll walk out of there feeling a million bucks and, as a bonus, your skin will be silky soft and positively glowing. Zen Day Spa, 116 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst; (02) 9361 4200.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

A light and rhythmical massage is all it takes to fight off metabolic waste products, excess fluid and a build-up of bacteria. The session lasts for between 40 and 60 minutes and is said to be a lot lighter than your average massage. Lymphatic drainage stimulates the lymph vessels that are just beneath the skin's surface, so all it needs is the lightest pressure. The effects will kick in later that night, when an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion or heaviness will hit you. It's all good, though; the body is working hard eliminating toxins (which it probably isn't used to doing). Clearer skin and boosted vitality are other probable side-effects. Test it out at Soultonik, 42 Grosvenor Street, Woollahra; (02) 9389 6000. Prices start at $70 a session.

For the real thing

Naturopath and clinic director of Soultonik in Woollahra Vanessa Sinclair says you need to set aside weeks, if not months, for maximum results: "The optimal detox should be done under supervision by a health-care practitioner and will last six to 12 weeks, depending on your current health status. People with chronic illness should always consult their health-care practitioner before commencing a detoxification program."

Sinclair gives the following tips:

? Eliminate sugar, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods and soft drinks;

? Start each day with a nice tall glass of warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice added in;

? Drink at least two to three glasses of water first thing in the morning to flush out toxins.

? Replace coffee with roasted dandelion root (great for the liver) and black tea with either peppermint, ginger or chamomile herbal options;

? Take liver herbs regularly to enhance the effects of your detox;

? Exercise regularly;

? Detoxify your environment by limiting the use of computers, mobile phones and microwaves;

? Before your morning shower, dry brush your skin;

? Indulge in some spa treatments to reward yourself for your hard work.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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