Juicing

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Some interesting juices to try are:

• Carrot and ginger
• Celery, cucumber and apple (celery is good for constipation)
• Beetroot, apple and cucumber
• Carrot, beetroot and celery
• Apple, carrot and ginger
• Cucumber, cabbage and apple
• Fennel, cabbage, apple and celery

Juicing is an excellent way of cleansing, rebuilding and balancing your entire system. They are the simplest and most efficient way of getting nutrients and enzymes into your system. Within minutes after drinking a fresh juice, nutrients enter your bloodstream, producing energy needed for regeneration and detoxification processes. Drink them as soon as possible after being prepared. Ideally after 15-20 minutes to obtain maximum nutrients from them.

The one rule that you should observe when juicing is not to combine fruits and vegetables, other than apples and carrots, which may cross over. Apple contains nutrients that enhance enzymes in vegetable juices. In the case of fruits and vegetables that discolour quickly, add a squeeze of citrus fruit to slow down this process.

Vegetable juices are the most efficient for detoxification purposes and can include green vegetables such as watercress, parsley, dandelion leaves, cabbage or kale. The chlorophyll content helps to build red blood vessels and cleanse the blood. Ideally organic sources of vegetables should be used for cleansing.

Herbs and spices can be added to give flavour and enhance the therapeutic effect of the juice. Cinnamon and ginger can provide real benefits. Ginger stimulates the peripheral circulation, helps to calm an upset stomach and can be helpful to relieve the pain of arthritic conditions. Ginger mixes well with carrot juice.

Juicers

Masticating juicers can release several times more nutrients than centrifugal type models. Mastication breaks open cell walls to free the enclosed nutrients while preserving the enzymes. Cheaper juicers tend to use more basic ingredients and may not produce a high quality juice.

Good ingredients for juicing

Apple has excellent cleansing properties due to it's detoxification effects on the liver and gall bladder. It supplies vital nutrients for the heart. It contains quercetin (can improve lung functioning, useful for asthmatics) and pectin, a soluble fibre that lowers cholesterol and binds to heavy metals helping to remove them from the body.

Beetroot has a reputation as a blood tonic. Its many health benefits include cleansing the liver, kidneys and gallbladder, improving circulation and protecting against high blood pressure, promoting menstruation and bowel movements. Beetroot juice can be particularly helpful to improve anaemia and fatigue and also to aid convalescence.

Berries are rich in vitamin c and other antioxidants. Most berries are better blended rather than juiced and are good mixed with other fruits in smoothies.

Carrots are an excellent alkaliser. The bright orange carotenoids found in carrots provide antioxidants that are thought to inhibit certain forms of cancer. It aids the respiratory and digestive systems, helps ward off colds, brighten the eyes and aids in the treatment of arthritic conditions.

Celery helps with fluid retention, high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, respiratory disorders, arthritis, gout and tissue inflammation. Where minerals have been lost due to sweating or diarrhoea, celery can help replenish them. It is also good for mild constipation.

Lettuce the darker leaves are more nutritious than the lighter ones e.g cos or romaine. Their chlorophyll content helps to cleanse the blood. They contain a natural sedative so is good for taking in the evening.

Try this combination:

A tasty and simple liver ‘detox' juice is a mix of beetroot, carrot, ginger and apple. Ginger helps to inhibit blood clots and the formation of LDL cholesterol. Beetroot cleanses the liver, billiary system, and gallbladder and may help unblock the arteries. Carrots are a liver cleanser and a tonic. Apples contain the powerful antioxidants  phylorizine and ursolic acid which have an anti-inflammatory effect in the system. Adding psyllium to the juice will help to bulk out the intestines and also give a feeling of fullness.

Try this relaxing Smoothie:

Lemons have alkalising properties and a calming effect on the nervous system. They also contain citric acid which is great for cleansing and eliminating toxins. Blend together two mangos, a handful of berries, half a lemon and 100 ml of organic, fresh pressed apple juice.

Put your feet up and enjoy.