Indulge does: Hitting toxic overload

Photo/John Borren

Annemarie Quill tries a detox programme developed by Tauranga herbalist Brett Elliott

What is it?
Capsules in the Brett Elliott Ultimate Herbal Detox combine 24 herbs. The programme includes a diet plan with recipes, a shopping list and online support and resources.

Who is Brett Elliott?
Elliott's interest in herbs as medicine began when he started researching how herbal medicines were used in almost every ancient culture. His website lists his qualifications as a two-year Diploma in Herbal Studies and four years of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and biophysics at Auckland University of Technology. He also completed another four-year diploma in herbal medicine.

Why detox?
Elliott says toxins in our environment can be so great our body's ability to break them down is limited. "This subtle long-term toxic overload can eventually cause serious health problems."

Elliott says signs of this overload can include digestive irritation, skin problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar and weight gain. He recommends this detox twice a year. Elliott has written a number of articles, found on his website, brettelliott.com.

The detox
The pack comes with four jars of 120 capsules each. The four jars are colon-aid, which contains herbs to support bowel movement; digez-aid, to support healthy digestion; symlax, more herbs to promote healthy bowel movement; and liva food, which includes herbs to support a healthy liver function. You can choose to complete the detox in seven or 14 days. To prepare there are instructions about eliminating certain foods from your diet such as meat and dairy, and while on the detox, it is recommended that one only eats raw and unprocessed plant-based foods. The recipe booklet contains juices, smoothies, soups and salads.

I liked the thought of completing the detox in seven days, which means you take double the number of pills daily.

Elliott says some people do find it hard to take a large amount of the herbal pills. Some of the capsules can be twisted open and mixed into smoothies or juices, but some have to be swallowed as the herbs have a bitter taste.

The first few days I experienced headaches, a little lightheadedness or 'woolly brain' which Elliott says is the body's natural response to detoxing, particularly from caffeine.

I would recommend doing the detox at a time when you don't have too much else on in your life. It was ambitious for me to try it in the school holidays and I feel it would be more beneficial to set aside a quiet couple of weeks. Elliott agrees as he says there are not only physical benefits, but you can take time to practise mindfulness and meditation.

I didn't find the diet plan difficult to stick to as it was a time when I was trying Veganuary, so was eating lots of plant-based food already. After a few days of lethargy I felt more energetic, not hungry. While I did not lose weight on the scales I noticed looser clothing.

While not dramatic body changes, the discipline of doing this detox made me mindful about what I was eating which makes it great to kick start a longer term healthy eating plan.

- For more information, see Brettelliott.com. The detox is available in certain pharmacies and from the website for $199.