What better place to begin our healing process than at the very beginning? Common sense tells us to “clean house” before redecorating. In the case of psoriasis, the first condition to correct is the accumulated pollution that has infected the entire bloodstream and, subsequently, all the organs and cells of the body. This is accomplished by opening up the normal channels of elimination, primarily the bowels and the kidneys and, secondarily, the skin and the lungs.
Obviously, the most effective cleansing is obtained by clearing out the bowels and the kidneys. This releases the backup pressure on the liver and gall ducts as well as the intestines, allowing free passage of their waste accumulations. In this way, the hepatic (liver) cells are free to perform one of their most important tasks: filtering out and purifying the blood and lymph.
Chronic constipation and poor eliminative habits are the major causes of colon impaction, which, in itself, is one of the main reasons for the breakdown of the intestinal walls. When the contents of the intestinal tract are delayed in their movement through the intestine, they undergo certain changes, which are more or less irritating and injurious to the intestinal wall. Stasis from this cause is usually accompanied by the absorption of toxins.
The Colon (Large Intestine)
It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of paying close attention to the colon and its proper functioning. Certain physical abnormalities can cause a malfunction ofthe colon.
Even if there is no pathological process such as a tumor formation or stricture, the colon, in some people, may be excessively lengthened beyond its normal five feet in the average adult. This is called a redundant colon. Its positioning in the abdominal cavity may also be abnormal, causing an irregular twist or turn that slows down the normal passage of fecal matter.
Get a free trial of Dermasis psoriasis cream. and Read the Quick Action Plan to cure psoriasisThere can be anatomical reasons for malfunction of the colon; it is not always a matter of poor diet or bad toilet habits.
The colon is divided into 4 parts; ascending,. transverse, descending, and sigmoid.
Normal Colon
Fortunately, anatomical abnormalities are found in only a minority of cases. More often than not, the culprit in psoriasis is improper elimination due to poor eating habits, which, in most cases, can be corrected. Both require discipline on the patient’s pare. With regard to eating, the patient should select easily digestible and more absorbable types of foods.
Poor toilet habits are more common than may be ordinarily suspected. It is amazing to discover what some people consider normal. For instance, one patient, when asked about the frequency of his bowel movements, replied, “Oh, Doc! I have no problem there. I go once every four or five days without fail!”
In the words of another psoriasis sufferer “I don’t like going to the bathroom!”
She had actually been raised to believe that defecating was something dirty and should be done only when absolutely necessary.
Once this patient was convinced of the fallacy of this idea, she made it a point to alter her habits. In time, good results were evident in that her generalized psoriatic condition showed a gradual improvement.
Patients can not realized the beneficial effect that regular bowel movements would have on her skin until they have a healthy colon system.
The principle to grasp here is that blockages or partial blockages of the colon, for whatever reason, are detrimental to the general wellbeing of the individual. The result of such impairments may vary considerably, taking the form of one disease or another. Categorically speaking, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, and a number of other systemic diseases may very well have the same basic cause.
The course of treatment is, therefore, essentially the same if the patient chooses the alternative route explained in this book. In these types of diseases, therapy should begin with internal cleansing, regardless of which disease it is. When this procedure is followed, the body can concentrate its efforts on rebuilding more quickly than if it had to destroy the “enemy”-that is, the accumulated toxins-before starting reconstruction. It follows, then, that the more effective the internal cleansing, the quicker the disappearance of psoriasis.
The Kidneys
The kidneys playas important a role in ridding the body of toxins as do the liver and the bowel. They do so by filtering potentially dangerous impurities out of the blood and discarding them daily through the bladder in the form of urine. Each hour, the blood filters through the kidneys twice. Vitamins, amino acids, glucose, hormones, and so forth are returned te the bloodstream, the excess residue eliminated in the urine. The end product of protein is urea. It is vital that the kidneys keep the level of urea in balance. If there is roo little of it in the blood, it can indicate that the liver is not functioning properly; if there is too much present, urenic poisoning of the blood can ensue, jeopardizing a person’s life.
The kidneys also have many other functions, such as helping in the production of red blood cells, maintaining normal chemistry levels of the cells, and playing a distinctive role in the acid-alkaline balance, a topic of utmost concern to the psoriatic.
Is it any wonder that the kidneys have been referred to often as the “master chemists’ of the body? Keeping your kidneys cleansed and free of accumulated waste is accomplished principally by drinking an adequate amount of pure water daily. Six to eight glasses of water each day, in addition to all other liquids, is recommended. I often advocate that a patient keep a gallon of pure mountain-spring water in the refrigerator at all times, and if desired, add the juice of a few fresh limes or lemons. This is not only a thirst-quenching drink, but it also helps flush the kidneys and is alkaline-reacting.
In recent yeats, the condition of urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) has become more recognized as a problem that affects 10 million people in this country, mostly women. If people with this condition also have psoriasis, they are faced with another problem, since following the recommendation to drink six to eight glasses of water daily could make life unbearable. Fortunately, there are medical procedures that have proven to be very effective, even curative. If a patient suffers from urinary incontinence, it is highly recommended that she or he have it corrected medically before proceeding with this regimen.
Dialysis is a medical procedure that filters out impurities in the blood of patients whose kidneys no longer function properly. An interesting phenomenon has been observed in some kidney patients on dialysis who also have psoriasis. They show a marked improvement in their skin while undergoing this treatment. Since the sale purpose of this medical procedure is to purify the blood, I think it is quite significant to note that the skin reacts in such a positive way when dialysis is administered. This interesting reaction was accidentally discovered years ago .. Today, dialysis therapy is used on a limited basis, and only as a last resort, in extremely severe cases of psoriasis.
Properly functioning kidneys play a significant role in keeping the skin free of blemishes.
The Skin and the Lungs
The average person rarely recognizes the skin and lungs as avenues of escape for toxins and impurities. In fact, they are the secondary organs of elimination-· -second only to the bowel and the kidneys. It is when we consider this function of the skin that we begin to recognize the reason for psoriatic lesions, as well as the irritating, rashlike manifestation of eczema and other skin abnormalities.
The Skin
Did you know that within an 1/8-inch square segment of skin there are not only one hundred sweat glands, but also twelve feet of nerves, hundreds of nerve endings, ten hair follicles, fifteen sebaceous glands, and three feet of blood vessels?
In the eighteen square feet of skin that covers the body, there are about 2 million sweat glands .. Each one is a tiny tightly coiled fifty inch tube buried deep in the dermis and rising out of it, as a duct to the surface. In total, there are six miles of these ducts. These sweat glands function almost continually, extracting water, salt, and waste from the blood. Is it any wonder that the skin is the largest organ in the body?
The Lungs
Most people fail to appreciate the role the lungs play in the removal of internal toxins, The specific function of the lungs is to take air from the external environment, oxygenate the blood to be distributed throughout every body cell, and remove gaseous poisons, particularly carbon dioxide, from the body. Deep-breathing exercises such as those taught in yoga have proven how pure air, properly inhaled, retained for a short time, and exhaled slowly, greatly improves the physical and mental health of an individual.
In a normal state of health, one is hardly cognizant of the lungs. Indeed, it has been said that when you are aware of your lungs, you are already in trouble!
In a stationary person, the lungs normally pump in and out about seventeen times a minute. Walking requires more oxygen, so the pumping increases to approximately twenty-four breaths per minute. Running doubles that amount to about fifty breaths. When exercise is conducted in the open air, the blood’s used gases are expelled and replaced by oxygen more freely; hence, exposing the lungs to impurities such as chemical fumes and automotive exhaust should be avoided as much as possible. The psoriatic should be aware of these facts and act accordingly, for by purifying the lung fields, a major step is taken to rid the body of psoriasis.
Take care of your lungs. Nurture them by supplying them with the fresh air they need to function properly, They will, in turn, take care of every cell, organ, and muscle in your body; supplying you with oxygen for every activity, from sleeping to running to thinking. Guard these sentinels of vital energy well, for your lungs truly provide you with the breath of life.
The liver
The liver is so remarkable an organ that some cultures regard it as the site of life. One cannot begin to understand how the body filters out toxic elements, without an appreciation of the incredible task carried out by the liver. When the liver is not functioning properly, not only do toxins build up in the body, but changes in mood, behavior, and general health can occur. It has been determined that the liver is responsible for over five hundred separate activities, Of these various functions, the ones we are most concerned with are the breakdown and excretion of poisonous materials. The liver is one of the major filtering glands of the body. Its many functions are primarily carried out by a single, remarkable structural unit called the hepatic cell. There are approximately 300 billion of these unique cells in one liver, which, among other things, filter two and one-half pints of blood per minute when the body is at rest. In one year, it amounts to filtering out enough blood to fill twenty-three milk trucks! The liver has remarkable regenerative powers as welL If 90 percent of the liver were removed, the remaining piece could still function. In fact, it might even grow back to its original size.
As miraculous as the liver is in its makeup and functions, it can nevertheless reach a breaking point as a result of constant abuse and overraxation, Barring direct injury to this organ arid/or pathological processes, (he most common reason for liver depletion is improper diet or liquid intake. When the liver becomes too seriously overtaxed with the resulting toxins, a breakdown of hepatic cells occurs, thereby opening the door to malfunction, infection, and congestion.
Fortunately, the liver has incredible regenerative powers when given the right fuel to work with. It behooves us, therefore, to do all in our power to keep this vital organ pliable and free of accumulated toxins. One of the most obvious ways of accomplishing this is to prevent destructive food items from entering the system at all, hence the importance of proper nutrition.
An effective external measure to help regenerate the liver is to gently but thoroughly massage the entire liver area with an olive-peanut oil mixture, unless one has an allergy to peanuts.
Another effective procedure for some patients is the application of warm castor oil packs directly over the liver. The simplest way to accomplish this is to saturate the liver area with castor oil; place a warm, damp, soft cloth (preferably white flannel, four layers thick) over the area; then cover with a piece of plastic wrap. A heating pad, set at medium, is placed over the entire pack for one to two hours. Massaging the liver or applying hot castor oil packs to it are among the healthiest measures that can be taken to help this organ perform its function of purifying the blood.
Use discretion when using these hot packs. Some people’s skin can be more sensitive than that of others.
The Liver/Skin/Kidney/Lung Correlation
The liver and the kidneys are important eliminative organs. For the liver, the natural avenue of elimination, of course, is through the bowel; for the kidneys, through the bladder and urethra. However, when the liver is congested and cannot perform its eliminative function, waste matter (toxins) is thrown into the bloodstream, Similarly, when the kidneys are inflamed, toxins are also dammed up in the blood, Toxic blood must discharge its toxins or the person dies, so nature uses vicarious avenues of elimination or substitutes. The lungs, therefore, will take over the task of eliminating some of the wastes that should have gone through the kidneys, or the skin will take over for the liver. It stands to reason that the lungs do not make very good kidneys. From the irritation caused by the elimination of poison through this “vicarious” channel, we can get bronchitis, pneumonia, or tuberculosis, as is determined by the particular chemistry of the poison being eliminated. Thus, we can say that the lungs are acting vicariously for the kidneys or are being called into play, under duress, as substitute kidneys. In the same way, if the bile poisons in the blood come out through the skin, we get the various irritations of the skin, resulting in the many skin diseases, or through the mucous membranes (inside skin) as the various catarrhs, or through the skin as boils, carbuncles, acne, etc. Thus, the skin is substituting for the liver or a vicarious elimination is occurring through the skin. Clearly, one part of the body cannot be separated from another. All the organs are interconnected. Polluting one area spills over to pollute another; converse! y, by purifying one area, you purify another.
The proper goal for psoriatics is to purify the entire system. When this is accomplished, no matter how long it takes, the inner condition of cleansed body cells will be reflected in the outer appearance of the body’s surface-s-a healthy-looking skin.
Toxins
Since toxic buildup is what actually causes psoriasis, it will do no harm for the psoriatic to learn about the meaning of the word toxin, If nothing else, you will at least be able to identify the enemy. To begin with, a toxin is a poisonous substance derived from animal or vegetable cells. When toxins invade the bloodstream, the result is toxemia) a condition in which the blood contains an overabundance of poisons. Toxins are produced by body cells or by the growth of microorganisms, which cause a general infection whereby the blood contains toxins but not bacteria. When the buildup becomes too much for the body’s natural defense mechanism to handle, the patient is considered toxic. Symptoms such as tiredness, malaise, lack of energy, and often halitosis (bad breath) are cornmon signs of toxicity.
Why is it important that the psoriatic understand what toxemia is? In all cases of toxemia, and particularly those of acute toxemia there is sluggishness of action in the gastrointestinal tract” (emphasis added). Obviously, when this “sluggishness” occurs, there is a greater tendency for reabsorbing toxic elements through the walls of both the small and the large intestine. This is the major cause of most degenerative, debilitating diseases, as well as various skin conditions, including psoriasis.
Improved Bathroom Facilities
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, man’s life span has doubled. Most of us presume that this is due to advances in medical technology, wonder drugs, surgical procedures, and so forth. Undoubtedly, these have contributed greatly to man’s longevity. Seldom recognized, however, is the role that improved sanitary conditions play, especially the advent of indoor plumbing. A new era of health and longevity began when toilet facilities within the home became common.
Today, such accommodations are taken for granted, especially by young people. In years gone by, the outhouse was recognized as the cubicle of privacy. As it was located at least several yards away from the main house, it involved extra effort to visit, especially in the dead of winter. The tendency was to wait, avoiding evacuation until absolutely necessary; On occasion, it would be days before a person relieved himself. This naturally caused a backup pressure of fecal matter, which often was allowed to reach a point of autointoxication and unquestionably acted as a precursor of many systemic diseases. Evidence of this is found in comparing our present-day life span of eighty years or so with the average of about forty years at the turn of the twentieth century. It is no longer necessary to retain all the poisons and waste matter because of uncomfortable, inconvenient toilet facilities, for indoor plumbing provides relief but a few steps away in the comfort of your own home.
The “Glut” Response
Toxins form not only from substances known to be detrimental to the body but from those that may become toxic if overindulged in .. Ordinarily, such foods may not have a deleterious effect, but because of an insatiable desire for a particular food, some people have a tendency to gorge themselves. This causes what I call a “glut” response. In these cases, a chemical imbalance is bound to occur, and the body will respond by producing skin conditions, allergic reactions, glandular dysfunctions, and myriad other ailments.
Thoughts and Toxins
As previously emphasized, clearing the body of accumulated toxins is of the utmost importance. Just as significant, however, is the maintenance of a healthy mental attitude. Have no doubt about it: negative, destructive thoughts also produce acidic toxins that can do still more harm to an already polluted system.
For instance, you cannot have continued feelings of hatred without developing stomach or liver problems. Negative emotions such as uncontrollable anger or jealousy can cause digestive or heart disorders. Animosity and worrying can lead only to further distressful systemic conditions.
Thoughts most assuredly affect the internal environment of the body. This is now fully accepted and recognized by the scientific community. You should learn to recognize and appreciate the cheerful aspects of life and avoid negative situations and personalities, referred to colloquiallyas “real downers.” A sunny, smiling countenance goes a long way, not only for yourself but for those around you. This important
To summarize, the goal is to rid the body of toxins that have accumulated over a longperiod of time and avoid reintroducing more of those same toxic elements to the system. Learn to recognize the pollutants, usually certain foods, and avoid them at all costs. We start the entire process witli internal cleansing.
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