Benefits

Most of us, it seems. Rare is the individual who doesn't keep a hectic lifestyle, indulge in alcohol and/or a diet nigh in fat, sugar, and salt but low in vegetables and fruit. If you're feeling constantly fatigued and stressed, they're already signs that your body can do with some detoxifying.

Before you start on any programme, get clearance from your doctor. Here are some organ-specific programmes from detox experts:

Liver : What it does: Its main function is to filter toxins for excretion. Blood that passes through the intestines can reach the heart and lungs only after passing through the liver. How to detox it: detox plans for the liver can range from simple to advanced. A basic plan, for instance, includes milk thistle, dandelion (from health stores in capsule form), and a vegetarian diet with no alcohol for one to three weeks. You can repeat it every six months.

Kidneys : What they do: These are the other filtering organs that cleanse the blood of waste products. The kidneys contain millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons that separate nutrients from waste, then send waste into the urine. How to detox them: Drink two cups of dandelion-leaf tea and one cup of nettle tea a day to flush out the kidneys and help with fluid retention. If that's too much liquid to take, stick to the dandelion-leaf tea. Take the mix for six to eight weeks, one cup twice a day.

Skin : What it does: Sweat glands carry waste products, primarily urea and ammonia, from the body to be excreted in the form of perspiration. How to detox it: Ginger or marigold tea is a good remedy to try. Drink a cup two to three times a day for up to four weeks.

Intestines : What they do: The small intestine absorbs nutrients, leaving waste material to enter the large intestine or colon, then the rectum for elimination. The large intestine also absorbs needed water and minerals. How to detox them: one teaspoon of psyllium husks (from health stores) mixed in 150ml of juice or water. Drink it before bed, followed by 250ml of water afterwards. Take the mix for six to eight weeks, one teaspoon once a day.

Probiotics, the supplement of the moment, can also give your intestines a boost. Look for those that contain 15 billion organisms per capsule. "Take them for four weeks, then give your system a break for one to two weeks. This is to allow your digestive system to build a conducive environment for the good bacteria to thrive in. You can continue the course for half a year.

Gall Bladder : What it does: It stores bile - a fat-digesting and acid-neutralising liquid that is continually secreted by the liver. How to detox it: Blend the juice of two grapefruits with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Drink this two to three times a week for six to eight weeks.