BAREFOOT HOMEOPATHY

body cleanse

For cleansing to be effective it is best to do it in a specific order, and that’s from the outside inward. This is best done in three general steps. The first step is cleaning and decluttering the home so that you live in toxin free environment. The second step is cleansing the surface of the body (the mouth and skin), and the third step is cleansing the interior organs (the digestive system and the liver).

If you were to start the cleansing process with an internal organ, say the liver, then toxins from the liver might not be able to make their way out of the body because effectively drained out by the still toxic surface organs, and this could make you feel very ill.

Another important principle is mildness and moderation. To reduce any healing reactions to a minimum it is important to take a slow and gentle approach to cleansing.

Oil pulling

Tongue Cleaning

Brushing: baking soda

Skin and Lymph

Dry skin brushing

Hot towel

Cold showers

Detox

Activated charcoal

Bentonite clay

Epsom salts

Sauna and Sweating

your mouth

oil pulling

Oil pulling is an age-old Ayurvedic practice that has gained recent popularity because of its various useful benefits.

Your mouth is filled with bacteria, most of which are single cells covered with a lipid (fatty) membrane. These fatty membranes naturally adhere to any type of oil or fat.

So, when you swish oil around in your mouth bacteria are pulled from your teeth and gums as though they are being drawn to a magnet.

Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth. The most popular oils are coconut and sesame but any good quality oil will do the job.

Swish the oil around very gently and slowly. There is no need to do it forcefully.

Swish for 5 to 20 minutes. The longer you swish the more microbes will be pulled free. The oil will eventually turn a milky white, which indicates that the bacteria has been "pulled" off.

When you are done spit out the oil. It is very important that you don’t swallow the solution because you don’t want the microbes entering your digestive track.

After that rinse your mouth with water.

Oil pulling doesn’t have any side effects. However, if you swallow the oil, it can cause stomach discomfort or diarrhea. Initially, you may experience sore jaw and headache due to swishing and even tooth sensitivity.

tongue scraping

Tongue scraping is another ancient Ayurvedic practice that is becoming more and more popular. Removing the coating that builds up on the tongue on a daily basis can improve digestion and reduce bad breath. It also enhances your ability to taste your food, which making eating more satisfying.

How to scrape

Stick your tongue our as far out as it will comfortably go.
Press the scraper down lightly as far back on your tongue as you can without gagging.
Slowly pull it forward to the tip of your tongue about 8 to 12 times until the whole tongue is clean.
Spit out any saliva and debris that has accumulated on your tongue.
Rinse the mouth with warm or room temperature water.
Make sure to clean the scraper thoroughly with warm water.

The tongue scraper

Tongue scrapers come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Copper is the preferred material due to its antimicrobial properties - it kills bacteria, yeasts, and viruses rapidly that come into contact with it.

If you prefer not to buy a scraper you could use a teaspoon or ice cream stick instead. However, a good quality scraper does the job so much more effectively. Keep the scraper cleaned and sterilized and never share it with anyone - treat it like your toothbrush. Don’t scrape your tongue if you have a mouth sore or wound.

toothpaste

Toothpaste comes in an assortment of tastes and flavors but if swallowed in a sufficient amount can cause poisoning. This is because commercial toothpaste is filled with toxic chemicals. The most harmful ingredient is probably fluoride. It has been ingrained in our minds that fluoride prevents cavities but this is not entirely true. The type of fluoride in toothpaste is a toxic by-product of the fertilizer industry and is not the same as that which is found in nature.

Fluoride is a neurotoxin that was once used as rat poison. Researchers have found that it can lower IQ in children. It can also cause brain damage, tumors, cancer, dementia, infertility, Alzheimer’s, lower sex drive, accelerate the aging process, and a whole lot more.

The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is pretty small but we’re putting into our mouths twice a day, 365 days a year.

Brush with soap

Soap is the single best alternative to toothpaste. In Good Teeth, Birth to Death Dr. Gerald Judd, PhD explains that most toothpastes contain glycerine, which according to his research is so sticky that it forms a coating on the teeth that requires up to 27 rinses to remove. Judd recommends “brushing with any bar soap” because soap washes off in just 2 rinses.

Judd explains that teeth need to be clean in order to absorb minerals from food - teeth coated in glycerine cannot absorb minerals from food and thus can’t remineralize.

Simply apply a tiny amount of soap to your toothbrush and start brushing. You don’t need much as it lathers really well.

monthly oral cleanse

In addition to your new daily routine of brushing with soap I suggest a once a month cleanse with a homemade toothpaste. The reason I suggest one a month is because some of the ingredients are abrasive and may erode the tooth enamel gradually if used too often.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon baking soda - neutralizes acids in the mouth

½ teaspoon salt - removes plaque, destroys bacteria, remineralizes.

½ teaspoon turmeric - curbs plaque and prevents gum inflammation

½ teaspoon activated charcoal - reduces plaque and stains

½ teaspoon bentonite clay - detoxifies and mineralizes

2 drops hydrogen peroxide - whitens teeth, antibacterial

Instructions

Other than the baking soda all the ingredients are optional. You. Are free to experiment and play around. Simple mix all the ingredients together and store in a watertight container. If you’d prefer to make a paste add some water or some oil (coconut to olive). To use scoop a small amount onto a toothbrush and brush away. Use once a day for a maximum of one week.

cleansing the skin

The skin is the largest and one of the most important organs in the body. It performs several important functions one of which is the excretion of waste products through the pores and sweat glands. The skin accounts for 15 percent of your body weight and covers 12 to 20 square feet. A full 70 percent is made up of water. Its 7 layers consist of: epidermis (which is composed of 5 sublayers), dermis, and subcutis.

dry brushing

Dry brushing involves using a brush to gently rub over the body before bathing to remove dead skin cells and stimulate circulation.

Dry brushing is the most effective way to get rid of dead skin. Since you will be shedding skin it’s a good idea to do it in the bathroom. Get naked and then brush your body. Most people like to start with feet and move toward the heart using long sweeping motions, but in the end it comes down to doing what you find is the most comfortable for you. Brush each area several times. Brush softly over more sensitive areas. When you are finished take a shower or bath. Dry brush every day for 30 days to see results

What brush should I use to dry brush?

To get the benefits of dry brushing you’ll want to use a natural stiff-bristled bath or shower brush, preferably one with a long handle. Some bristles are stiffer than others, and it depends on your skin’s sensitivity and preference. The long handle is helpful for tough-to-reach areas like your back.

For dry brushing to be fully effective, the bristles must generally pretty firm — an obstacle for those with sensitive skin. But if your skin is too sensitive, you can try a plain, dry washcloth. This can still provide some benefits but don’t continue if you notice redness, swelling or inflammation.

Dr. Khetarpal also advises to begin dry brushing by looking at the skin on your whole body to identify any places to avoid — like spots where there are bumps or other skin abnormalities of any kind. There are many skin conditions where dry brushing is not recommended.

Never dry brush over moles, warts, or raised bumps, among many other things. See your dermatologist if you have questions.

“Do not use this technique on skin that’s broken, which includes cuts, scrapes, lesions, sores or burned skin, including sunburns,” she adds. “Don’t ever brush over areas of infection, redness or general irritation, inflammation, cellulitis or skin cancer. Stop dry brushing if skin becomes irritated or inflamed.”

wet brushing

Some people find dry brushing to be a little too harsh. Those with a dry or sensitive skin may opt for a hot towel exfoliation as it’s much gentler on the skin. Another option is is to dry brush the more robust parts of your body and then wet towel the more sensitive areas such as the face.

Fill the sink or a bucket with hot water. Place the towel in the hot water and wring it out so it is hot and wet, but not dripping.
Working in sections, rub the towel in a circular motion over your skin using firm pressure. You could start at your face and work your way down, or start with your hands and work your way up your limbs.
Scrub each area until it is warm and slightly soft and pink.
If the towel starts to cool, dip it back into the sink to re-wet and warm it

How do I dry brush my skin?

“Using a natural bristled brush,” Dr. Khetarpal says. “I typically start from my feet or ankles and work my way upward in long, fluid strokes on limbs. Then I’ll focus on circular motions on my torso and back.”

She says this process can be sensitive on your abdomen, breasts and neck, so lighten up pressure as needed.

“A few overlapping swipes per area is enough,” she adds. “If you go over one area too long, you can actually break the integrity of the skin and cause irritation or bleeding.

Do this once each day and shower immediately afterward.

THE BRUSH