Madhouse Family Reviews: New Year Detox advice from Philip Weeks - expert on natural medicine, master herbalist and traditional acupuncturist

I know, I know, we haven't even had Christmas yet but let's face it, quite a lot of us will be desperately trying to shift those extra-Christmas pounds (if not more !) by the time the New Year rolls around. Detox sounds like a good place to start to me so here is some advice from Philip Weeks, expert on natural medicine, master herbalist and traditional acupuncturist. Philip offers advice and natural remedies on a range of ailments, including coughs and colds, back pain and period pain, and I'll be bringing you lots of words of wisdom from him over the coming months.

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Natural medicine is based on the principle that in order to be healthy and well you need to work with the body's natural processes. This includes the intake of nutritionally rich food and to encourage the excretion of toxins. It also based on the understanding that we are more than our physical processes, but that our thoughts and feelings in turn affect our well-being.

The promotion of detoxification is one of the fundamentals of natural medicine. There are foods and recipes that can help the excretion of toxins that build up in all of us.

Foods that promote detoxification are those that are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants have all kinds of health benefits and can help protect us from certain disease. One type of antioxidant is called polyphenol, which has been shown to have heart protective effects as well as anti-cancer properties.

These include

Berries, especially blueberries, raspberries, cherries and blackberries.

Other foods which include walnuts, olives, kale, spinach, prunes and raisins.

A detoxifying and antioxidant smoothie recipe could be:

1 handful of blueberries

1 handful of raspberries

1 banana

1/2 cup regular yoghurt (or soya)

1 cup milk (or soya)

1/2 cup ice cubes

Directions:

Blend all of the ingredients until you produce a smooth consistency. Drink as soon as its made to preserve all the nutrient goodies.