"I Want to Detox - What Should I Do?"
Detoxing is something that has become very ‘trendy’ in recent years. My first question, if someone asks me how to detox, is "Why do you think you need to detox?
So first, let’s talk about who should detoxify and then we can talk about how to go about it.
Here are the types of people who should detox:
-If you are suffering from a chronic health condition or regular acute conditions like colds, flu, throat infections, ear or sinus infections, upset stomachs, UTIs, headaches and migraines etc
-If you regularly drink alcohol or smoke tobacco
-If you regularly eat processed food
-If you regularly take prescription drugs or have recently taken (some would say ever taken) vaccines
-If you are chronically tired
-You are overweight or obese
-You have been struggling to lose those last few kgs
-If you just don’t feel on top of your game
-You live in a city and exposed to a lot of air pollution
-You drink unfiltered tap water
-You are exposed to a lot of emotional toxicity
-Sometimes people like to detox before or after and event or holiday in order to lose weight or feel better
It’s worthwhile to note here, that the more unwell you are, or the more drugs that you take, the slower you should go with your detox. It’s also advisable to do this under the watchful eye of your naturopath or holistic practitioner.
So What is a Detox?
A ‘detox’ is a detoxification protocol which helps you get rid of toxins that have built up in your body, perhaps because your elimination system is not able to detoxify in the normal manner because of the quantity of toxins that you have ingested/ absorbed. Usually your elimination system; lungs, liver, kidneys, colon, lymphatic system and skin do a very good job of detoxifying your body on their own. However if your systems are overburdened or one or more system doesn’t work optimally, then detoxification may not be complete which may result in chronic or acute conditions. Pharmaceutical drugs typically suppress detoxification symptoms, driving the problem and the toxins deeper.
In fact, if we lived in a toxin free world, we’d probably feel amazing and there would be no need for a detox. However let’s get back to reality and understand that we live in a chemically ‘saturated’ world, so let’s look at the types of protocols for detoxification.
Before You Detox
So before you detox, make sure that all your elimination systems are working effectively. If they are not, because the detoxification itself will create more toxins being released, this may cause a back up in the system, or a Herxheimer Effect (effectively toxins being released from your tissues quicker than you are able to eliminate them). This could make you sick or in extreme cases be very dangerous.
What does that mean? Make sure all of your eliminations systems are functioning well. It’s also recommended that you make a concerted effort to keep away from the toxins listed above before starting for a few weeks; I often make sure the client is strengthened before detoxifying, by building up the minerals and nutrients in their food and improving their lifestyle.
-Lungs- Make sure they are clear of mucus and that you are doing regular cardiovascular exercise so that you can breathe optimally. Herbs can also help with lung health support, such as mullein if lungs are your weaker area.
-Liver- is your liver happy? Are you angry? Any other emotions rooted in anger? Your liver is your primary detoxification organ so it pays to ensure the liver itself is as healthy as possible. Protocols like castor oil packs, enemas and herbs (Dandelion root, Mugwort, Oregon grape root and Yellow Dock are good liver supports), as well as eliminating alcohol and tobacco.
-Kidneys- do you drink enough water? What colour is your urine? Do you pee enough? Not enough? Too much? Kidneys really are our life force, they are affected by stress and fear and help to manage the mineral balance in our bodies. Kidneys can be supported with sleep, managing stress, ginger kidney poultices, drinking good clean structured water and with herbs like Cleavers, Chickweed, Dandelion root and Irish Moss
-Your colon helps you eliminate poop from your body. Do you poop enough? Many people think normal is 2-3 times per week. It’s actually 2-3 times per day. Enemas, castor oil packs, stress management all help the colon as well as herbs such as Slippery elm, Marshmallow, Peppermint and Mugwort. Diatomaceous earth and psyllium husk can also be a ‘broom’ to sweep through the system and eliminate ‘stuck on’ mucoid plaque.
-The lymphatic system is deeply underestimated and undervalued. It brings nutrients to the tissues and takes toxins and cellular debris and waste away from the cells. Movement, exercise, skin brushing, massage, lymph drainage all help to keep it healthy as well as herbs such as Red Clover, Irish Moss & Yellow Dock.
-The skin is our largest organ, it breathes and is a large source of elimination. Skin brushing, saunas, exercise to encourage sweating, only using natural edible products on the skin plus diatomaceous earth and herbs such as Chickweed, Irish Moss, Cleavers and Goldenseal help to keep it healthy.
Ways to Detox
Any protocol that encourages the elimination system to work better is a good thing.
Before you start, stop bringing the toxins into your body via food- processed, sugar, simple carbohydrates -think processed white flour products- bread, cakes cookies etc, water, drugs, vaccines, alcohol, tobacco etc
Here are some example of ways to increase your detoxification process:
-Juice cleanse
-Smoothie Cleanse
-Water fast
-Liver cleanse
-GB Cleanse
-Sweating via sauna, exercise or in hot sun
-Skin brushing
-Exercise
-Diatomaceous earth
-DMSO
-Chlorine dioxide
-Drink more water
-Get massages
-Utilise herbs such as spirulina, alfalfa, dandelion root, milk thistle etc to detox
-Essential oils
-Exchange coffee for green tea and herbal tea
-Meditate
-Manage stress
-Prioritise sleep
-Use reiki/ physio/ chiros/osteos to manipulate/ encourage the toxicity to leave your body
-Drink lemon water in the morning
-Add superfoods to your diet for nutrients Irish moss, Icelandic moss and
-Yoga
-Be grateful
-Eat organic
-Cook at home
-Detox baths: Epsom salts/ magnesium, bentonite clay, himalayan salt, baking soda, borax
-Bentonite clay cleanse
-Acupuncture
In Summary
Detoxification is a great tool, but it should ideally be undertaken supervised by a health professional. If you are currently unwell or you are ingesting or absorbing a lot of toxins, it’s important to get rid of these toxins or stop taking them first before trying to push out more toxins.
Ally van de Pol is a Certfied Naturopath, Certified Herbal Medicine Therapist, Certified Iridology Consultant, Certified Healing Diets Coach
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