Why? Well our air and water quality is poor in many regions of the country due to vehicle emissions, factory output and toxic waste. Many people no longer drink tap water and opt instead for bottled (unfortunately many tests have shown that even bottled water is not that "pure"). Our food contains pesticides, steroids, antibiotics and toxic substances. Some people have even ingested heavy metals such as lead or mercury from paint and exposure to other materials.

With all the bad stuff attacking us every day, people are looking for toxic relief. Some of the holistic products used are foot baths, colon cleansing, vitamins and one of the most popular items -- detox foot patches.

The detox foot patch was originally developed in Japan by Dr. Kawase Itsuko, the founder of the "Kawase Takara". She hypothesized that if trees could grow for ages without any aid, humans too should be able to live longer -- if they could discover and harness the secrets behind the growth of trees. A Sensei in Japan, Dr. Kawase Itsuko combined the application of certain eastern medical theories with western medical technological skills to gain an unprecedented result in the discovery that the resinous substance or wood vinegar of some trees actually possesses detoxifying functions.

The quality and prices of these patches vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some consumers opt for less expensive knockoffs while others prefer higher quality; especially the original. Which product to use, as with any other, is up to the consumer.

The number of patches to be worn and the duration of time to detox is proportionate to the quality of the foot patch. Lesser quality patches require multiple patches and a longer time to reach detox. Consequently, an individual patch may cost less, but based on the increased number of patches needed, the overall cost of lesser quality patches is actually higher.

Higher quality patches have a different challenge - getting people to not wear too many. Many people subscribe to the old axiom that if one is good then two is better and multiple are best. Not so necessarily when it comes to high quality patches. Wearing more than one high-quality patch at a time will not necessarily speed up the detoxifying process. If you use a high quality patch then one per application should be more than enough.

The body has a wonderful system of natural detoxification via the kidneys, liver, sweat glands and other organs. You will want a detox method that compliments your natural detoxification processes. Patches are designed to do just that, by helping to alleviate some of the stress on the detoxifying organs.

Regardless of which patch or which method of detox you choose, remember, the most important piece of information about any detoxification method is to exercise patience - detoxification is a process and it takes time.