salt water flush?

[Andrea Munroe]

this morning i started a salt water flush: got up early, mixed up 2 tsp himalayan salt in 1L (1 qt) of lukewarm spring water. drank all within 15 mins or so, did a few exercises/belly massages recommended on the net, then lay down and fell back asleep for an hour. it has now been 3 hours since i finished drinking it, and nothing has happened at all- most things i'm reading on the net suggest that i should be on the toilet in 1-2 hours, but i dont feel anywhere close to that. maybe i'll do some exercising to see if these guts will move. i dont feel blocked up or stagnant at all, just dont feel like anything is going to happen- i read that the concentration of salt means that you wont absorb the water, so it will just flow through the gi tract, but i feel like maybe this is not the case for me, as my bladder is starting to feel full.

also wondering if it is OK to eat, and if so, are there certain foods that would be best?

[Pat Robinson]

What is your goal with the salt water flush? I've seen several versions of it for various reasons.

Generally, I'd consider a salt water flush IF I were experiencing severe "die-off" or detox symptoms. The salt water flush helps to reduce how bad you feel. It does NOT bind toxins but does increase hydration and minerals to help process the toxins out, normally.

Another way I've seen salt water flushes used is as part of a "detox cleanse". One generally consumes some type of laxative stimulant: such as a lemon juice and olive oil "cleanse" or an herbal laxative, and follow with the salt water flush. Again the salt water flush is to decrease the die-off misery of dumping toxins into blood circulation faster than the body can handle.

I'm not a fan of "cleanses".

A third reason I've seen salt water flushes used are to stimulate a bowel movement or to address constipation. Generally, more salt is used in this situation (1-2 tablespoons, rather than teaspoons).

It is fine to eat once you have consumed the water, or as needed.

Pat

[Andrea Munroe]

you recommended it in another thread to me, http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topics/new-lots-of-issues?commen...  and then it came up a few times on facebook in feeds from you or divine health or cooking traditional foods or one of these pages. i've been eating a lot of sourkraut (like a cup or more a day- i am addicted and its like i cant get enough), and suddenly the eczema on my knees (which i havent seen in 6+ months) has flared up. i've also been feeling like i have NO energy at all (though my husband has felt like this too, the last couple of weeks, perhaps it is the heat). i've been trying to drink lots of water and am using coconut oil externally to sooth the rash but the eczema is not fading away at all. the sourkraut is the only change i can think of, and the salt water flush was recommended a few times to help with this as it seems like a die-off symptom.

i'm not into cleanses in general either, i feel like i have WAY too much sh*t stored away and that i'd do far more harm than good if i tried to mobilize it any faster than my body wants to with adequate hydration and good nutrition and exercise.

is it weird that i didn't experience any "flush" symptoms at all? not even a softer-than-normal bowel movement. just a regular day with regular urination and a regular bowel movement. i was surprised at this, given the experiences i read about that had others having more "enema" type results, or as one person so eloquently put it "peeing out the butt".

wondering if i should try again or just let it be? anything else i can do to ease these (presumed) die-off symptoms?

in general i am trying to slowly reduce my sugar/simple carbs/grains and instead eat more high quality protein (because i am a HUGE carb addict and in the past it would not be abnormal for me to eat breakfast cereal, then a sandwich for lunch, then pasta or tons of rice noodles for supper, with cookies, waffles, muffins, toast, etc for snacks... my only real protein sources for the day may have been a slice or two of sandwich meat and/or cheese at lunch and a bit of meat, fish, or tofu with supper). i've added in fermented cod liver oil and high vitamin butter oil and am often adding a pinch of himalayan salt to my water (which i am trying to drink more of but keep forgetting), and eating more veggies. next plans are to get back into making bone broths, and slowly work into even less sugar as i feel able to (i am so addicted, but it seems i just crash and cant get out of bed if i stop consuming it)

[Pat Robinson]

The lethargy could be die-off too, ime. I haven't had any "flush" with the salt water as you've described. I think it must vary, based upon the individual. Also, for adrenal issues, the salt is utilized by the body rather than dumped.

I like green smoothies for the nutrient and sweet benefit. Then I can sip all day and still know I'm getting a ton of nutrients. But, broth is the most nourishing to me, besides liver. And nettles~!

I'd be sure to get enough magnesium and selenium to support detoxification too. One Brazil nut is great for selenium.

Hydration is really important. Healthy fats help to curb the need for a sugar-kick too, ime.

Epsom salt compresses topically can help the eczema. Maybe cut back on the sauerkraut until the eczema is better; but a forkful with meals is great. What other whole food probiotics are you doing?

Pat