Since this thread has been dredged up by a spammer I'll state my opinions on "detoxes". I think if one's usual diet is "dairy, caffeine and processed foods" and "sugar, alcohol, caffeine, gluten and animal products" as some "famous people" report, then one probably needs a "detox". Or at least to eliminate those toxic substances from one's diet for a week or more. If the usual diet is high in fresh and mostly raw veggies, some fruit, and some high quality protein with none of the unhealthy stuff then a "detox" will never be necessary. The most I ever do to detox is to use raw garlic for a few days and ensure my water intake is sufficient. I expect there are some parasites attached to fresh imported produce which is why I like to use raw garlic occasionally. If I have no parasites the garlic probably won't hurt and I like the flavor anyhow. I try to use "food as my medicine".

>> In some cases herbs still are the best answer, but those are few and far between when you consider the dangerous drawbacks to the wild form of medicine. That's a rather sweeping statement - what are the dangerous drawbacks to the "wild" form of medicine? >> Also keep in mind that big pharma can get a legal monopoly on a compound derived from an herb, or a group of compounds, the only reason that big pharma isn't testing echinacea or SJW or burdock is that the evidence doesn't point to much useful coming from them compared to drugs already on the market. Sure, someone could patent a compound or the use of a compound - if it is novel. But if an herb (like SJW) has long been used for treating depression, and if the chemical or synergistic group of chemicals that are in SJW were discovered long ago, there is very little newness to warrant a patent. Numerous studies have shown that SJW is comparable to existing antidepressants in efficacy, and generally has a lower side effects profile. I don't think that the pharmaceutical companies are being evil, but the rules are set up so that their first goal is making money. If they could develop a product that was equal to (or even somewhat inferior) to existing products but much more profitable, they absolutely should push that product. Because the function of the corporation is to return as much profit to the owners as possible. The fact that they may need to meet some 'need,' or that the 'solution' is also much more expensive to the consumer is incidental and irrelevant to the driving force of the corporation. Drugs are no different than shampoo - sure, a decent product could be produced at a very low cost. But instead, we see thousands of products competing against each other to fill the same basic function of removing dirt and oils from the hair. There are shampoos pitched specifically to males or females, specifically to particular age groups, different economic groups, different ethnic groups, etc. In the marketplace, demographics and psychological needs are more important than physical needs. >> with medicine we are typically going after one thing that has gone wrong pathologically, trying to activate one receptor, and typically a whole bunch of chemicals grabbed essentially at random (well, they are in the same plant, but from a human physiology standpoint they have nothing in common) In a few cases, that is true, but more often, it is not. If a child has a fever, is holding its ear and screaming in pain, an antibiotic is a good choice to relieve an acute infection. But if the child comes back time after time with ear infections, then maybe the real problem is not antibiotic related - it could be air or water quality, a nutritional deficiency, the bacterial ecology of their sinuses, sanitation, or a variety of other things. The focus on 'the one thing that has gone wrong pathologically' (bacteria) can easily become myopia. Illness generally involves more than one thing that has gone wrong - activating or blocking one gene or receptor may help, but complex systems are rarely optimized with a single such tweak. The 'modern' approach to heart disease has focused very narrowly on cholesterol and the HMG-CoA receptors, and that has yielded some progress. But cholesterol is only one part of the atherogenic process, accounting for 30-40% of risk. Half of men who have their first heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. What about CRP, homocysteine, inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxidation, platelet aggregation, and a host of other factors? What about the complex patterns of gene expression that exist in various diseases, or in health?

Here's my list of vitamins etc. I should have given you the whole lot at the beginning, but you asked specifically for minerals. Vitamin A (Retinol, Reinoic acid) Alfalfa, Angelica, Apple, Apricot, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Beetroot, Beans, Blackberry, Black Cohosh, Blueberry, Borage leaves, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Capsicum (red), Carrot, Cayenne, Celery, Chamomile, Chervil, Chickweed, Chillies, Comfrey, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dates, Dulse, Echinacea, Eyebright, Eggplant, Fennel, Fig, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Ginger, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Grape, Gotu Kola, Hops, Horehound, Horsetail, Horseradish, Kelp, Lemongrass, Mango, Marshmallow, Mullein, Mustard greens, Nettle, Oat straw, Okra pods, Paprika, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pawpaw, Peach, Pear, Peas, Peppermint, Pineapple, Plantain, Plum, Prune, Pokeweed, Pumpkin, Quince, Raisins, Raspberry, Red Clover, Rockmelon, Rosehips, Rosemary, Safflower, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Spinach, Strawberry, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, Tarragon, Tomato, Turnip greens, Uva Ursi, Violet leaves, Watercress, Yarrow, Yellow Dock, Zucchini Eggs yolks, fish, organ meats such as liver, fortified margarine. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Alfalfa, Anise, Apple, Apricot, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Basil, Beans, Beetroot, Blackberry, Bladderwrack, Brussels sprouts, Burdock, Catnip, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cayenne, Celery, Chamomile, Chervil, Chickpeas, Chickweed, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dates, Dulse, Eggplant, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Ginger, Ginseng, Grains, Grape leaves, Gotu Kola, Hops, Horehound, Horseradish, Kelp, Legumes, Liquorice, Mustard, Nettle, Nuts, Peach, Oatmeal, Okra, Oranges, Parsley, Peanuts, Pear, Peas, Peppermint, Pineapple, Plum, Potato, Plum, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberry , Raisins, Red Clover, Rice bran, Rosehips, Safflower, Sage, Sheep Sorrel, Soybean, Strawberry, Sunflower seeds, Thyme, Watercress, Wheatgerm, Yarrow, Yellow Dock Lean pork. Egg yolk, dairy products, fish, liver, pasta, pork, poultry, brewers yeast. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Alfalfa, Almonds, Anise, Apple, Apricot, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Basil, Beetroot, Blackberry, Bladderwrack, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Capsicum, Carrot, Catnip, Cayenne, Celery, Chamomile, Chervil, Chickweed, Chocolate, Cucumber, Currants, Dandelion, Dates, Dulse, Eggplant, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Hops, Horseradish, Horehound, Horsetail, Kelp, Legumes, Liquorice, Mullein, Mushrooms, Mustard, Nettle, Nuts, Oat straw, Parsley, Peach, Peppermint, Plum, Prunes, Raspberry leaves, Red Clover, Rosehips, Safflower, Saffron, Sage, Spinach, Thyme, Watercress, Wheatgerm, Wild Rice, Yellow Dock. Milk, cheese, yoghurt, liver, beef, fish, fortified breads and cereals, milk, eggs, poultry, molasses. Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Niacinamide) Alfalfa, Anise, Apple, Apricot, Banana, Basil, Beetroot, Blackberry, Blueberry leaves, Blue Cohosh, Broccoli, Burdock, Carrot, Catnip, Cayenne, Celery, Chamomile, Chervil, Chickweed, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dates, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Fig, Ginger, Gotu Kola, Hops, Horehound, Kelp, Kiwifruit, Legumes, Liquorice, Mullein, Nettle, Oat straw, Orange, Parsley, Parsnip, Peach, Peanuts, Peas, Peppermint, Potato, Prunes, Pumpkin, Raspberry leaf, Red Clover, Rosehips, Sage, Slippery Elm, Thyme, Tomato, Watercress, Wheatgerm, Yellow Dock, Zucchini Chicken, beef (especially the liver), fish, brads, cereals, pasta, milk, cheese, eggs, turkey, brewers yeast, pork. Vitamin B5 Pantethine, Pantothenic Acid) Alfalfa, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Brewers yeast, Catnip, Cayenne, Eyebright, Dandelion, Fresh vegetables, Hawthorn, Horsetail, Legumes, Liquorice, Marshmallow, Mullein, Mushroom, Legumes, Peanuts, Red Clover, Rye flour, Thyme, Wheatgerm, Yerba Mate. Yeast extract, eggs, cheese, beef, liver, kidney, pork, royal jelly, saltwater fish. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Alfalfa, Anise, Avocado, Banana, Beans, Brewers yeast, Broccoli, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrots, Catnip, Cayenne, Celery, Chervil, Chickpeas, Chickweed, Corn, Dandelion, Dulse, Fenugreek,Ginger, Hawthorn berries, Hops, Liquorice, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Plantain, Potatoes, Red Clover, Rice (brown), Rockmelon, Soy products, Spinach, Sprouts, Sunflower seeds, Thyme, Walnuts, Wheatgerm, Fish, poultry, meat, yeast extracts (eg. Vegemite), eggs, milk, brewers yeast. Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin, Cobalamine, Cobalt) Alfalfa, Angelica, Comfrey, Bladderwrack, Burdock, Catnip, Celery, Chickweed, Dandelion, Dulse, Eyebright, Fenugreek, Ginger, Ginseng, Hawthorn berries, Hops, Kelp, Mullein, Mustard, Potato, Red Clover, Soya beans, Strawberry, Thyme, White oak bark Liver, yeast, oysters, sardines, other fish, eggs, meat, milk, poultry, cheese. Yeast extract. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Alfalfa, Apple, Apricot, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Barberry, Basil, Beetroot, Beans, Berries, Blackcurrants, Blueberry, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Calendula, Capsicum (green), Carrot, Celery, Chervil, Chillies, Capsicum, Catnip, Cayenne, Chickweed, Chillies, Citrus fruits, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Cramp Bark, Cranberry, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dates, Echinacea, Eggplant, Elderberries, Eyebright, Fennel seeds, Fenugreek, Fig, Garlic, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Goldenseal, Green Tea, Hawthorn Berries, Hibiscus flowers, Hops, Horehound, Horseradish, Horsetail, Juniper berries, Kelp, Kiwifruit, Lobelia, Mango, Mullein, Mustard greens, Nectarine, Nettle, Oat straw, Onions, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Passionfruit, Pawpaw, Peach, Pear, Peas, Peppermint, Persimmon, Pineapple, Plantain, Potato, Pumpkin, Quince, Radish, Raspberry leaves, Red Clover, Rhubarb, Rockmelon, Rosehip, Rosemary, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Scullcap, Slippery Elm, Spinach, Strawberry, Tarragon, Thyme, Tomato, Turnip greens, Vervain, Violet leaves, Watercress, Yarrow, Yellow Dock, Yerba Mate, Zucchini Vitamin D (Calciferol) Alfalfa, Carrot, Chickweed, Dandelion, Eyebright, Fenugreek, Grains, Horsetail, Lemongrass, Lettuce, Mullein, Nettle, Oatmeal, Parsley, Rosehips, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Sweet potato, Thyme, Vegetable Oils, Watercress. Wheatgerm Milk, eggs, yoghurt, butter, margarine, hard cheeses, herring, salmon, tuna, fish liver oils, liver.Sunlight on skin. Vitamin E (Tocopherols) Alfalfa, Almonds, Angelica, Asparagus, Bladderwrack, Blue Cohosh, Burdock, Carrot, Chervil, Comfrey. Cornmeal, Dandelion, Dong quai, Dulse, Echinacea, Eyebright, Flaxseed, Ginseng, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Grains, Hazelnuts, Horehound, Horseradish, Legumes, Linseed, Liquorice, Kelp, Kiwifruit, Nettle, Nuts, Oatmeal, Parsnip, Pawpaw, Pineapple, Raspberry, Rice (brown), Rosehip, Scullcap, Sesame, Sheep Sorrel, Soya bean, Slippery Elm, Spinach, Sunflower seeds, Sweet potato, Vervain, Watercress, Wheatgerm, Yarrow, Yerba Mate. Vitamin F (Lenoleic acids) Corn, Evening primrose oil, Horehound, Linseed oil, Nuts (except Cashews), Red Clover, Rice, Safflower, Slippery Elm, Sunflower seeds, Vegetable oil, Wheatgerm, Yarrow. Tuna, Salmon. Vitamin K (Menadione, Menaquinone, Phylloguinone, Phytonadione) Agrimony, Alfalfa, Asparagus, Blackcurrants, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Buckwheat, Cabbage, Carrot tops, Cauliflower, Chervil, Chestnut leaves, Cornsilk, Gotu Kola, Green tea (made with hot, not boiling water), Kale, Kelp, Liverwort, Nettle, Oatmeal, Pistachio nuts, Plantain, Potato, Rosehips, Rye, Safflower oil, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Slippery Elm, Soya beans, Spring onions, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Vegetable oils, Wheatgerm, Yarrow. Meats, dairy products, egg yolk. Cod liver oil. Vitamin P (Rutin,bioflavanoids) Buckwheat, Burdock, Chervil, Chilli (some varieties), Citrus fruit pulp and skins, Dandelion, Elder, Green Tea, Hawthorn, Horsetail, Nettle, Paprika, Red Clover, Rosehip, Rue, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Slippery Elm. Vitamin T Plantain Vitamin U Alfalfa, Sheep Sorrel Antioxidants Bay, Dill, Rose-scented Geranium, Oregano, Savory Arginine Carob, Chocolate, Coconut, Oats, Peanuts, Soya beans, Walnuts, Wheat Gelatine, dairy products, meat. Beta-carotene Alfalfa. Basil. Sheep Sorrel. Yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables. Green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce (the darker the green the more beta-carotene they contain). Bioflavonoids Apricots, Bilberry, Blackcurrants, Buckwheat, Capsicum, Cherries, Chervil, Pith of citrus fruits, Elderberries, Grapefruit, Grapes, Green Tea, Hawthorn berries, Horsetail, Hyssop, Lemons, Marshmallow, Milk Thistle, Oats, Oranges, Passionflower, Prunes, Rosehips, Sage, St. Johns Wort, Shepherds purse, Wormwood. Biotin (Vitamin H) Barley, Burdock, Catnip, Cauliflower, Chickweed, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Goldenseal, Legumes, Liquorice, Nuts, Oatmeal, Red Clover, Rice, Soy products, Whole wheat. Liver, fish, poultry, yoghurt, yeast, royal jelly, milk, cheese, molasses, poultry, egg yolks. Boron Apple, Broccoli, Carrot, Chilli (some varieties), Cucumber, Grains, Grapes, Leafy vegetables, Nuts, Pears, Potato, Raisins, Spinach, Strawberry Wine, beer, cider. Chlorophyll All green sprouts, Alfalfa, Lettuce, Sheep Sorrel Chloride Alfalfa, Apricot, Asparagus, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumber, Dandelion, Kelp, Parsley, Peach, Pineapple, Potato, Radish, Raspberry, Sheep Sorrel, soya products (especially soy sauce). Choline Anise, Cabbage, Catnip, Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Chickweed, Dandelion, Fenugreek, ginger, Goldenseal, Hawthorn, Hops, Lentils, liquorice, Liverwort, Mullein, Nuts, Red Clover, Rice, Seeds, Soya beans, Chromium Apple, Artichokes, Avocados, Banana, Beans, Broccoli, Catnip, Corn, Dulse, Garlic, Grains, Horsetail, Liquorice, Mushrooms, Nettle, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Potato, Prunes, Radish, Red Clover, Rhubarb, Rice (brown), Sarsaparilla, Strawberry, Sweet Potato, Thyme, Tomato, Whole grains, Wild Yam, Yarrow Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) Canola oil, Peanuts, Rice (brown), Spinach, Soya oil, Tofu, Wheatgerm Cortisone Liquorice root, Wild yam. Folic Acid (Folate) Asparagus, Barley, Beans, Beetroot, Blue Cohosh, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Carrots, Catnip, Cauliflower, Corn, Dandelion, Dates, Fenugreek, Ginger, Green leafy vegetables, Hawthorn, Legumes, Lentils, Lettuce, Liquorice, Liverwort, Mushrooms, Orange, Peas, Potato, Red Clover, Rice (brown), Spinach, Tomatoes, Walnuts, Whole grains, Yam Yeast extract, organ meats, yeast, cows milk, eggs, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, salmon, tuna, kidney, liver, cheese. Fluorine Garlic, Green Tea, Horsetail, Potato, Strawberry, Thyme Iodine Asparagus, Black Walnut, Bladderwrack, Carrot, Dulse, Garlic, Irish Moss, Kelp, Lima beans, Liquorice, Marshmallow, Mushrooms, Nettle, Oats, Parsley, Radish, Sarsaparilla, Sesame seeds, Sheep Sorrel, Slippery Elm, Soya beans, Spinach, Tarragon, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yarrow. Iodised table salt, saltwater fish, some commercial cakes and breads Protein Alfalfa, Amaranth seeds, Basil, Legumes, Soya products, Nuts and seeds, Wholegrain bread, Wheatgerm Milk, cheese, yoghurt, eggs Saponins Calendula, Ginseng, Hawthorn, Mullein, Oats, Soapwort, Wild Yam, Yucca Selenium Alfalfa, Brazil nuts, Broccoli, Burdock, Catnip, Cayenne, Chamomile, Chickweed, Dulse, Fennel seed, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginseng, Grains, Hawthorn berry, Hops, Horsetail, Kelp, Lemongrass, Lobelia, Milk Thistle, Nettle, Nuts, Oats, Onion, Parsley, Peppermint, Potato, Raspberry leaf, Red Clover, Rice (brown), Rosehips, Sarsaparilla, Slippery Elm, Strawberry, Uva Ursi, Wheatgerm, Whole grains, Yarrow, Yellow Dock. Seafood, poultry, meats. Brewers yeast, dairy products, liver, kidney. molasses. Silicon Alfalfa, Apricot, Asparagus, Beans, Beetroot, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Burdock, Capsicum, Celery, Chaparral, Chickweed, Cornsilk, Ginger, Grains, Grape, Horsetail, Kelp, Lettuce, Nettle, Oatstraw, Parsnip, Plum, Potato, Nettle, Rice (brown), Raspberry leaves, Rosehips, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Soy products, Strawberry, Thyme, Turnip Seafood. Sodium Alfalfa, Apple, Beetroot, Carrot, Catnip, Celery, Chaparral, Chervil, Cucumber, Dandelion, Dates, Dulse, Echinacea, Eyebright, Fennel, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Horsetail, Irish Moss, Kelp, Lobelia, Mango, Mistletoe, Mullein, Nettle, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Pineapple, Radish, Raspberry leaves, Red Clover, Rosemary, Sage, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Slippery Elm, Tomato, White Oak Bark, Willow, Zucchini Table salt, sea salt, miso, tamari, soy sauce, cheeses, egg yolk, dairy products. Sulphur Alfalfa, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Capsicum, Catnip, Cayenne, Celery, Chillies, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Dandelion, Echinacea, Eyebright, Fennel, Garlic, Horehound, Horseradish, Horsetail, Irish Moss, Kelp, Lettuce, Lobelia, Mullein, Mustard, Nettle, Parsley, Parsnip, Pineapple, Plantain, Potato, Raspberry, Rosehips, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Strawberry, Thyme, Watercress, White Oak Bark, Yellow dock.

I started a vitamin B complex about a month ago and my constant anxiety has lessened greatly. I was at a point that I thought I may have to go on one of the anti-anxiety drugs, so I was relieved that the vitamin B seemed to work. Here's a little info on Vitamin B: Balanced B-Complex: B vitamins have long been known as the "Anti-Stress Vitamins." B vitamins are essential in providing support against anxiety and depression. The more stress we have in our lives, the faster the B vitamins are used up. This is important to understand, as B vitamins are also critical in: energy production; maintaining healthy nerve function; liver detoxification processes; healthy skin and muscle tone; and are essential co-factors in hundreds of other chemical reactions with the body. Homocysteine levels, when elevated, can cause stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Homocysteine levels are reduced by proper amounts of B6, B12 and Folic Acid. B vitamins are important in the functioning of the liver and in energy metabolism. They are necessary for the formation of the red blood cells, numerous hormones, and specific neurotransmitters. Adding a full B vitamin complex, and or adding all the B vitamins separately, is part of the standard protocol in EDTA IV Chelation therapy. If high amounts of stress are present in your life, it is essential to increase the amount of B vitamins in your diet. You will not be able to get enough B vitamins in your food to meet your body's physiological needs, when modern day stresses are prevalent in your life.