"I'm on a parasite cleanse", "I'm detoxing", "Do you do cleanses?" - I wish I had a chocolate bar for every time I hear this! The most popular at the moment is the parasite cleanse, yet our bodies are covered with and are full of parasitic flora and fauna, most of which we coexist with quite happily, and in some cases whose services we require, such as for bowel health. The problem arises when the balance is disturbed and some of these tenants get out of control, often as a result of antibiotics, or some other stressor which affects our susceptibility to develop bacterial or fungal infections, such as Strep throat or Candidiasis. Indeed, some cleanses may themselves alter the balance adversely and harm some of the good tenants too.

In these situations, homeopathy may be helpful: homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine which helps the body re-establish health by stimulating it's innate healing potential. Since homeopathy considers that symptoms, such as infections, are the body's way of expressing a deeper, internal imbalance, the homeopath attaches importance to all the symptoms - mental, emotional and physical, not just those of the infection, so there is no one approach for every person: we are all different and come to our illnesses through different routes, stresses and genetics. So while classical homeopaths don't offer cleanses as such, we offer remedies which are individualised to reflect each person's unique circumstances to help regain internal balance at a deep level.

However, some homeopathic remedies do have affinities with specific parasites, for example, Spigelia and Cina are remedies often prescribed in cases of roundworms.

Often cleanses are undertaken as part of a heavy-metal detoxification: homeopathy can help in these situations with remedies which will address the symptoms of the heavy-metals, and in so doing assist the body to regain balance by ridding itself of the metals. Homeopathic remedies are prescribed according to the law of similars, or "like cures like", which means that the symptoms which may be caused by a substance may also be cured by that substance, so in the case of heavy metals, the remedies may themselves be those same metals but prescribed in extremely minute doses, for example, Plumbum (lead) or Mercurius (Mercury). Sometimes sensitive people who have undergone a heavy-metal detoxification find the cleanse itself quite hard on their systems, and again homeopathy may be helpful in assisting the body return to health.

Spring cleanses are popular to tone up various organs, most notably the liver, and while fresh salads and vegetables are always advisable, some homeopathic remedies have affinities with various organs, such as Chelidonium with the liver, Berberis with the kidneys, and Ceanothus with the spleen, and depending on the other symptoms present may be prescribed to help support the affected organ.

Too many cleanses or detoxes, especially if undertaken simultaneously or too close together, may confuse the body and hinder its attempts to regain health. While homeopathy can help to give the body a fresh start, and help in regaining balance, it is more challenging if someone undergoes a cleansing or detox while taking homeopathic treatment because other symptoms which are important in finding the remedy may be masked or affected, and the action of the remedy itself may be interfered with, so your homeopath may well ask you to refrain while undergoing treatment.

And remember, if you do decide to go on a cleanse or a detox, its always wise to consult a nutrionist and your medical doctor, especially if your reasons for doing so are because you feel unwell.