Living enzymes to improve digestion and break down mucous. Enzymes are catalysts for the metabolic processes needed for digestion of food and the production of cellular energy.

Living antibiotic substances to fight infections.

Natural anti-inflammatory substances to reduce pain and the destruction of cells.

Anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, beta carotene and other carotenoids, which fight cancer and inflammation.

Phytochemicals which are substances in plants that can reduce many diseases. Categories of phyto-chemicals include- flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenes, coumarins, capsaicin, chlorophyll, indoles, isothiocyanates, lentinan and isoflavones. Inside one citrus fruit there are over 170 phyto-chemicals. Over 60 flavonoids found in citrus fruit, contain anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumour actions, reduce the tendency to form blood clots and have strong antioxidant activity. There are over 4000 different flavonoids known today, and food scientists believe there are many more yet to be discovered. Juicing is an effective and economical way to obtain these vital substances in their living form.

Organic sulphur compounds to detoxify poisonous chemicals and drugs, and cleanse the liver and blood stream.

Minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, zinc, boron and selenium.

Vitamin K is found in dark green leafy vegetables and is beneficial for bone strength and the immune system. Vitamin K can also reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.

Although some raw fruit juices contain significant amounts of simple sugars, such as fructose, because they are accompanied with a large variety of vitamins and minerals, the harmful effects of quickly absorbing refined sugars are not seen.

Fluid from the juices prevents dehydration and aids kidney function.

Try to choose produce that is fresh, unblemished and in season.

Wash all the produce well and remove any bruised, blemished, or mouldy parts. Cut or slice the produce into pieces to fir into the input of your juice extractor. The white inner skin or pith (found just inside the tough outer skin) on citrus fruits, is replete with beneficial bioflavonoids, so try to conserve this, when preparing citrus fruits for juicing.

The peel (if organic produce) and seeds of fruits such as grapes, watermelon, and rock melon, as well as citrus, can be juiced along with the fruit. The seeds from pawpaw are bitter in taste, and are best discarded. Fruit stones should be removed, as they will damage the juicer.

Include the stems and leaves of the vegetables in the juice, as they are high in vitamins and minerals. If you suffer with kidney stones, do not include carrot tops, as they are high in oxalic acid, which can increase stone formation.

Buy organic produce that is free of pesticides and insecticides where possible. If this is not possible, peel the produce to reduce consumption of toxic chemicals.

Do not wash green leafy vegetables in hot water, nor leave them to soak in cold water for long periods of time, as this draws out the beneficial materials.

Frozen fruits and vegetables, or those that have been stored for long periods are not suitable for juicing.

Ideally drink the juice within one hour of making it, otherwise it will be oxidized by the air and may develop a sour taste. However juices made in the morning can be stored for later the same day, or juices made at night can be stored for the next morning, provided you store them correctly. This must be in a jar with a tight lid, or in the refrigerator in a closed container, or in a jug with glad wrap over the top, to seal it tightly from the air.

Some juices, such as very sweet fruit juices, or beet, dark green or bitter tasting juices may need diluting with pure water or herbal tea. You can also dilute strong flavours with celery, apple juice or cold flavoured herbal teas. Generally, juices for children should be diluted to improve the taste and increase the child's hydration.

When making carrot juice, or indeed any juices, adding a small amount of citrus juice, will preserve the natural colour of the juice and reduce oxidation of its essential nutrients.

Some people with irritable bowel syndrome, or a very sensitive stomach, may find that they cannot tolerate juices, which combine fruits and vegetables. In general, if you are like this, you will be safe by adding apple or pear to vegetable juices, but not other fruits. Celery seems to be well tolerated when it is mixed with fruit juices.

If you are slimming, use mainly vegetable juices, as they contain less calories than fruit juices.

The juice machines are known as juice extractors and are suitable for vegetables and fruits.

It is worthwhile getting a special citrus juicer for juicing citrus fruits, as it produces better results.

You should feel free to experiment with different vegetable and fruit juice combinations, and you may come across a combination that really energises you. Make note of particularly energising or tasty juice combinations so you can make them in the future.

Some people need to be careful with juicing as they have medical conditions that can be aggravated by a high consumption of simple sugars. These conditions are diabetes type 1 and type 2, hypoglycaemia and fungal infections. These people should avoid fruit juices, and are better to eat the whole fruit, as advised by their dietician. They can however gain tremendous benefits from raw vegetable juices, but must limit the intake of sweeter vegetable juices such as carrot or beetroot.

While walking through the park or the countryside, it is tempting to pick your own leaves to juice. Unfortunately there can be obstacles to the idealism of this behaviour.

Due to the prevalence of pollution from animals, industry, motor cars and insecticides, the plants can be spoiled and you could be getting more toxic chemicals than goodness. Other major problems can come from the picking and ingesting a plant that looks like the 'real thing' but is its 'poisonous twin'. Most plants have a copy in nature that is poisonous or at least tastes bad. So, wisdom would suggest that in case of any leafy greens such as dandelion, for instance, it might be best to cultivate a plant in a rockery or pot, where you can control its growth.

There are specialist nurseries, which cater to selling herbs, where you can buy a cultivated dandelion plant that you can grow, as you would any other herb. Two plants would give you all the leaves you need with minimal care. When the plant flowers, nip the bloom out before it dies and seeds, as this will stop the plant becoming a nuisance throughout the garden.