Hello wise-peeps. I just started a cleanse/detox, using a formula-kit by Michael's Naturopathic. A little background: I am an avid coffee drinker...have been for years. Over the past year, I have been through an incredibly difficult emotional ride...long story short, broke up with my partner and I moved out with our young son. I have variable issues with chronic pain in my upper back/headaches/joint pain. I have had great success with homeopathy (see a homeopath regularly), and I also have a great chiropractor/cranial sacral genie. I typically eat quite well, green veggies and good proteins often, but I do have a sugar habit.
After the holidays, my birthday, work, etc, I was drinking a lot of coffee... and it has kinda stopped working. This weekend, it hit me. I'm tired all the time even with 11 hours sleep, I hurt a lot, my skin is bad, dark circles are bad, and my energy is kaput.
So, the cleanse. Trouble is, I can't quit caffeine cold-turkey. Today, I waited until noon...and I gave in because the headache was pretty bad. I expect the detox will make everything hurt temporarily, but damn. This sucks.
I don't want to quit coffee forever...it's one of my remaining pleasures! But I do need to back-off for the next few weeks.
Advice? Herbs I can take concurrently? Is it "ok" to have one small cuppajava a day during a cleanse? I know, it's not ideal...but the headache has got to go. I'm going to make some Oatstraw infusion, just to assist the flushing, but what else will help?
Any tips greatly appreciated. Thank you!
After the holidays, my birthday, work, etc, I was drinking a lot of coffee... and it has kinda stopped working. This weekend, it hit me. I'm tired all the time even with 11 hours sleep, I hurt a lot, my skin is bad, dark circles are bad, and my energy is kaput.
So, the cleanse. Trouble is, I can't quit caffeine cold-turkey. Today, I waited until noon...and I gave in because the headache was pretty bad. I expect the detox will make everything hurt temporarily, but damn. This sucks.
I don't want to quit coffee forever...it's one of my remaining pleasures! But I do need to back-off for the next few weeks.
Advice? Herbs I can take concurrently? Is it "ok" to have one small cuppajava a day during a cleanse? I know, it's not ideal...but the headache has got to go. I'm going to make some Oatstraw infusion, just to assist the flushing, but what else will help?
Any tips greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:12 PMI am sort of addicted to black tea. Not just for the coffein but also for the tannin etc. that helps settle the stomach and aid digestion. I managed to reduce my black tea intake by adding yogi tea (made from cinnamon, cloves and other Indian spices) to my diet which tastes a bit similar, works on the stomach but does not have coffein. Bengal tea from Celestial seasonings is a bit similar too. -
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:29 PMGreetings. Caffeine is a hard one. Headaches are inevitable when withdrawing from caffeine. I stopped drinking coffee over 10 years ago. I took skullcap tincture to lessen the pain from the headaches and rested alot. I still drink coffee on occasion, as well as black tea but choose decaffeinated. I also drink warm mullein infusion with a little honey and milk...which meets my need for a warm, nourishing drink.
I personally am not a big fan of cleansing for many reasons. One that would pertain to your situation is that it is not nourishing, but depleting. If you are trying to stop drinking something that has been robbing your body of nutirents, which caffeine does, then nourishment is going to be more helpful than depleting your body more by cleansing. Cleansing does not leave nutrients behind. Our bodies need nutrients on a regular basis. I would suggest drinking miso soup...made from a good miso paste with seaweed, eating oatmeal and drinking lots of nourishng herbal infusions particularly nettle and oatstraw.
Blessings
Linda -
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:33 PMlicorice tea, and LOTS of water.
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, January 20, 2008 - 11:46 PMThank you for this...the skullcap is a brilliant tip.
Perhaps you misunderstand...I am not fasting, by any means, but am on a cleansing/detoxing journey for two weeks. I am still eating well....(had oatmeal this morning with seeds and raisins). Drinking green shakes also. I'm sure I will have miso this week- thanks for reminding me. I am also a fan of nourishing foods...like root veggies and brown rice. And yet, I still find I'm in a toxic state and need to flush out my system.
And I am drinking water. Copiously.
I don't really see myself quitting caffeine entirely. I am not one to deprive myself of pleasures...but for a few weeks, it's necessary.
I SO appreciate this advice.
Just had a cup of rasb leaf, oatstraw, nettle, & peppermint infusion.
Going to bed now, with a headache...
Blessings... -
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Thu, January 24, 2008 - 12:02 AMHiya Deebug,
on a TCM (traditional chinese medicine) way of looking at things, you are not toxic, but depleted.
(coffee being a stimulant, that would accellerate depleteion, as well as any detox..)
Just off the cuff I'd recommend to you warming, nourishing foods, like baked potato, oatmeal and such), and try to refill your energy tank, before you try and "eliminate" anything more..
and if you want to keep drinking the coffee, drink plenty of warm water before and after, (not cold, as cold water will also cleanse/deplete).
I am only a layperson, so if you are interested I recommend checking out the tcm tribe or asking a practitioner.
P.S: 'Good for you' for trying to look out for yourself after these trying times ;-)
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Mon, January 21, 2008 - 8:54 AMI agree about building, not cleansing during winter, but ... if you must...
a few drops of rosemary essential oil on a cool washcloth, placed on the forehead for 15 minutes, can do the trick- keep oil away from eyes. Making an infusion of fresh rosemary to sip like tea can also help. rosemary increases circulation specifically to the head.
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Tue, January 29, 2008 - 6:48 PMSorry this reply is a little late but i imagine you are still working out the kinks in this process (it takes time).
The three things that come to mind when reading your message are adrenal depletion (the licorice and oatstraw are good for working on this), liver support (try milk thistle and dandelion root), and re-establishing alkalinity with alkaline foods (veggies are good). I agree that going cold turkey is too hard because of the headaches. Be patient with yourself and keep your goals in mind. A bonus with the dandelion root is it can be somewhat reminiscent of coffee in flavor. You can do some research online r.e. adrenals, alkalinity, and gente liver support for further info. Hope this is helpful.
~margi
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Thu, March 20, 2008 - 3:37 PMLots or water . . . and you may need to wean yourself from the coffee over a few days to a week . . .
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Thu, March 20, 2008 - 4:38 PMYou really need to wean yourself off of coffee, not just quit cold turkey.
I now drink coffee only on special occasions. Like the days I volunteer at the food bank. Or if I have a physical therapy appointment. So typically I get coffee maybe two cups a week.
It's really not good for you. I do recommend as an alternative Ginko Tea or any herbal teas. While you are weaning yourself off of it, try an occasional cup of green tea. The Antioxidents are good for you, the caffeine seems to be gentler on your system and it doesn't upset your stomach like coffee. For instance, if you're used to having four cups of coffee a day, have one cup of coffee and one cup of green tea. And space them a ways apart.
Drink lots of other herbal teas as the warmth on your stomach is good for your system all together, and helps prevent headaches.
Caffeine is a diuretic, so herbal teas and pure water are really good things to drink. And I agree with the other advice you've been given about not "cleansing." Really, in most cases, just drinking more pure water is all the cleansing you need in most situations. Most people are a little dehydrated all the time.
Domina -
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, March 23, 2008 - 5:51 AMGreen Tea. Prince of Peace is the best. I use turbinado sugar.
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sun, March 23, 2008 - 8:13 AMASPIRIN and please dont keep the kid away from the dad ...
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Wed, March 26, 2008 - 10:07 PMHi,
I agree with Linda about the detoxing.
I am hearing in your post Deebug that you have many negative views of yourself.
I think this may be something to look at.
The attitudes that we carry about ourselves strongly affect how we feel and what we choose.
I would suggest, because you are in a stressful situation, that you choose one thing to slowly work on.
Coffee can be depleting but if you are nourishing it does not have to be so harmful.
Have you ever heard of the practice of "gratitude" This may help you. To write down everyday things you are thankful for, at least ten a day.
This may help you shift your perspective and help you move into a more positive view of yourself.
Many blessings, Julie
PS Stinging nettle is the herb of change.....one of the most nourishing herbs and a vital life force tonic.
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Re: Advice for Headaches during cleanse/detox
Sat, April 5, 2008 - 12:49 PMI have had the opportunity to go through coffee caffeine withdrawals about 2-3 times in my life. The only way to do it for me is to go cold-turkey, in my experience. For 24 hours, I had a headache, even if Ionly had 1/2 cup of coffee a day. Then, I also learned that I can have coffee, but cannot have it for more than 2 days in a row (at the same time), or I will get the caffeine withdrawal headache by the 3rd day even if it is only 1/2 cup! It is the timing more than the amount for me. I don't know if this helps.. Anyway, I always "timed" my 24-hours to be downtime so I wasn't doing anything that day and slept a lot!
If the right herbs are used for cleansing, I find that the same herbs often also have nutrition (as an example Burdock Root). Something to think about! :-)
