Why Detoxing is Important

Detoxing is becoming trendy these days, but it has been done by cultures around the world for centuries.  Detoxing is the process of cleansing the body of toxin build up in the digestive tract, respiratory and circulatory systems.

In this day and age we are being exposed to large amounts of toxins found in our water, processed food, household products, personal care products, medications, environmental pollution and excessive stress. The body has a natural cleansing system to get rid of these toxins but toxins are coming in quicker than the body can manage and so it ends up being stored in body tissue until the body can get rid of it. 

The build-up of toxins can result in sluggish elimination, tiredness, irritated skin, allergies, puffy eyes, bloating, brain fog, or low grade infection. If these toxins are not eliminated it will lead to illness, disease and can possible be life threatening.

Everyone should detox at least once a year but there are individuals that should take caution like: nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is appropriate for you.

How to Start a Body Detox

The detoxing process can be a shock to the body so I recommend starting slow.  First reduce your toxic intake.  This means eliminating coffee, refine sugar, alcohol, and cigarettes all of which are a hinderance to healing the body.  Minimize as well use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives.  

Read on to learn how to detox your body with 10 body detox tips and renew our ability to maintain optimal health.

1. Fasting

Fasting means taking a break from a usual way of eating.  Fasting gives the digestive tract a break from all that heavy digesting. Fasting comes in a variety of forms from not eating for a period of time, only consuming water, freshly pressed organic juices, smoothies, or eating exclusively fruits and veggies.  There are many detox recipes out there so find one that works for you and stick to it for 7 days or more.  It takes time for the body to get rid of toxic build up. I recommend juicing, smoothies and fruit and veggies fasts as these give the digestive system a break but the fruits and veggies give the body the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that it needs.

2. Supplements

There are several herbs and nutrients that help support the detoxification process.  We can cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock, and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.

Taking antioxidants (vitamin C Liposomal glutathione, Alpha lipoic acid, green tea extract) and eating foods high in antioxidants is crucial. Antioxidants bind to toxins and help neutralize them.

Binders like Chlorella work to bind the toxins released and pulls it out of the body

3. Water

One of the ways our body eliminates toxins is through the kidneys.  Water is crucial to the detox process.  Drink a gallon of water with ½ teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt. This helps flush out toxins but also gives he body trace minerals which are vital to good health.

4. Sweat

The skin is another detox pathway. Sweating is a great way to get impurities out of the body.  This can be done a few different ways.  One through a bath. Run a nice comfortably hot bath with a cup or 2 of Epsom salts and baking soda.  Soak in it for 20 minutes.  The heat of the water will cause you to sweat and the Epsom salts help draw out toxins while giving the body magnesium a vital mineral for health.   

Saunas are also wonderful way to sweat out toxins.  We now have FAR infrared saunas which penetrate deep into our tissues and stimulate cell cleansing.

Finally exercise is amazing at detoxing the body.  It works in couple of ways.  Number one, the movement of the body contacts muscles which in turn helps to pump lymphatic fluid which can become stagnate and cause toxin build up.  Second, a good workout will cause you to sweat and release those stored up toxins.

5. Massage

Massage helps with the release of toxins from the body, once again facilitating the detoxing process. When pressure is applied to your muscles, fat, and other tissues, toxins are squeezed out of the cells and into the circulatory system, where they can be more easily transported through the body for elimination. Massage just like exercise, enhances lymphatic system function which in turn promotes the flushing of toxins from the body.

6. Breathe Work

We need oxygen to live and it is necessary for absorption of nutrients in the body. It is also key to a healthy lymphatic system.  Practice deep breathing exercises to inhale more fresh oxygen into your body. You should try and inhale as much air as possible, hold it to the maximum time, and then release it. If you do this about fifteen to twenty times a day, you will be able to get the best results of body detoxification, more so when you do it in an open space with lot of fresh air.

7. Reduce Stress

Stress is inevitable in our world today and it contributes to a toxic state in our bodies.  First thing we need to do is recharge.  This can be done by deep breathing, to lower our cortisol levels and getting the right amount of sleep.

Next, decrease time spent on media.  That statement alone is probably causing increased anxiety in some of you.  Research has shown that increase in stress correlates to the amount of screen time a person has. Start small by having a media free evening and see how that feels.  Then increase that to a media free weekend.  You will notice a difference for the better.

Let go of anxiety by expressing it through writing in a journal or talking it out with someone.  Often times when we express the negative feelings we can gain clarity of thought.  Replace those negative thoughts with positive ones and with a perspective based on gratitude.

Finally stop worrying and live in the moment.  Stress comes when we are constantly anticipate a threat that may not come to be.  This a thought patterned that will keep you in a constant state of stress and anxiety.  Learn to get rid of this toxic worrying.

8. Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil packs have been shown to help optimize liver function which in turn improves detoxification of the body. It can improve lymphatic circulation, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. Castor oil is revered for its ricinoleic acid, a compound in castor beans believed to help the body rid itself of excess toxins.

Instructions:

1. Moisten flannel or cotton with castor oil.  (Add 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil to the castor oil, mix well.)
2. Place moistened pad/cloth on right side of abdomen, just below rib cage (that’s where your liver is located).
3. Secure the pad in place with the body wrap by wrapping around entire abdomen.
4. Heat up the heating pad and place it on top of flannel pad.
5. Lie down and keep the heat pack in place for about 20 mins to an hour.

Note:

Castor oil application can be very messy and difficult to remove, so make sure to wear clothing that you don’t mind getting stained.

9. Dry Brushing

Dry-brush your skin removes toxins through your pores. It helps remove dead skin cells and helps open up pores.  It is best done before you shower in the morning. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.

10. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a great way to detox.  It cleanses and removes bacteria and toxins from the mouth.

Studies have linked dental work, in particular fillings and root canals with many diseases since toxins from the dental work can be released into the mouth and into the blood system.

Oil pulling can be done with coconut, sesame or sunflower oil. Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties which will effectively remove toxins from the mouth and fight infection and disease.

To oil pull, place around one tablespoon of your chosen oil in your mouth and swish it around for about 20 minutes. Then spit it out into a trash can or the toilet. It can be quite toxic so it’s not a good idea to spit it into the sink. Oil pulling can be done at any time of the day. I recommend doing this every day, or at least 5 days per week.

We are being exposed to more and more toxic substances in our lives through food, products and medications, some of which it’s not always possible to avoid. This is why regular detoxing is a must for us to live healthy vibrant lives. The above 10 ways of detoxing are going to help you combat this problem and feel a lot better.

Consult your doctor before using any health treatment, including herbal supplements and natural remedies, and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications. The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as substitute for medical counseling.