From environmental hazards like heavy metals, radiation, and toxic chemicals, to food contaminants like salmonella and botulism, the human body is constantly bombarded by poisons. Food poisoning alone affects between 60 and 80 million people worldwide each year, resulting in approximately 6 to 8 million deaths. There is no telling how many people are harmed each day by environmental poisons.

Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include an increased sense of smell, aversion to perfumes and strong cleansers, low tolerance to alcohol, poor reaction times, seizures, psychotic behaviors, memory loss, senility, infertility, impotency, small back spots on the gums, weakness, dizziness, insomnia, nerve problems, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, bronchitis, miscarriages, bad breath, and body odor.

A heavy build-up of heavy metals and environment poisons is common in today's society. Nicotine, insecticide, herbicide, over-treated water, hair dye, aluminum cookware, deodorants, smoke, smog, paint fumes, and habitual use of antacids contribute to the problem. (Antacids interfere with the body's enzyme production and reduce its ability to carry off heavy metals.) Heavy metal poisoning requires detoxification. A seven day diet of vegetables, brown rice, fruits, cilantro, and lots of water can help cleanse the kidneys and liver of heavy metal poisons.

Antioxidants are very important in the treatment of environmental heavy metal poisoning. Vitamin E, vitamin C, and zinc should be taken in supplement form. Herbs can also help rid the body of heavy metals. Evening primrose oil, milk thistle seed, green tea, and dandelion are recommended especially for patients with iron overload disease. A hot seaweed bath is also known to remove many heavy metals from the body. Use a dry brush on skin before and after the bath.

Symptoms of food poisoning usually come on suddenly and may include body aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cold sweats after eating, severe abdominal pains, severe headaches, chills, fever, red rash on skin, weakness, limp muscles, paralysis that spreads downward, double vision, dry mouth, speech difficulty, cramps, and respiratory failure.

Light cases of food poison may be treated at home. Do not drink milk, juice, alcohol, or vinegar until poison is removed from the stomach. Eat some high fiber foods and yellow vegetables like squash as soon as possible. Fresh lettuce is known to neutralize many poisons. Other things that may bring relief include strong black tea, burnt toast (absorbs poison just like activated charcoal tablets), milk of magnesia, or aloe vera juice. Plantain tea, skullcap tea, yellow dock tea, or elecampane tea may also help. Other herbs to try include ginger, cinnamon, cloves, licorice, cumin, barberry, thyme, rosemary, yellow root, peppermint, and peony root.

The best defense against all poisons is a strong immune system. Regular use of immunity enhancers like astragalus, garlic, ginseng, and green drinks can help strengthen, protect, and speed up the healing process.

*Never give raw honey to infants as it may contain botulism producing bacteria. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy.