Cleansing the Body of Toxins from Day to Day
Internal Cleansing
Most people shower, bathe or at least practice some sort of cleaning regimen every day to care for the self and practice good hygiene. Cleansing the body of toxins on a daily basis is important as well. Through the organs of elimination the body is always getting rid of waste. In today’s modern world our bodies are exposed to an increasing amount of environmental pollutants; making efforts to support natural elimination an important part of maintaining well-being.
While fasting is a powerful tool for detoxification, daily cleansing efforts are just as important. Consider the following ways to detox on a daily basis.
Consuming with Cleansing in Mind
A detox diet, which usually consists of water, juices, broths and herbal teas only, is used for routine detoxification through fasting. What about the healthy diet that you are eating each day? What foods are important for supporting liver function, healthy skin, well-functioning kidneys and a clean colon?
Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables each day as well as fresh juices, not only for nutrients but also for their fiber and water content. Have at least five servings each day, ideally this will include a green salad. Also strive for a serving of nuts and seeds — snack on trail mix, add chopped nuts to your breakfast cereal, sprinkle seeds on a green salad. Make sure you are eating a variety of whole grains in place of white flour products to make sure you are getting enough fiber.
Drinking water is also very important for flushing out toxins and preventing constipation. Drink eight to ten glasses of water every day.
Herbal Teas for Purification
Another way to support the natural cleansing of toxins is to drink a cup of herbal tea. Try drinking a daily herbal infusion made from any of the following herbs. Rotate these cleansing herbs, using one or more for one to two weeks and then switching to another. These herbs work by supporting liver function, encouraging the elimination of waste through urination and/or acting to balance impurities in the bloodstream.
- Red clover
- Burdock root
- Dandelion
- Nettles
- Yellow dock
Always talk to a health care professional before using herbs if you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medications.
Baths for Detoxification
Baths can also be used to support natural cleansing. Taking hot baths that encourage sweating helps the body eliminate toxins. Before taking any of these baths, talk to your doctor if you have any heart problems, high blood pressure or are pregnant.
You can simply take a very hot bath, creating a sauna-like experience. Immerse your body in the water for twenty minutes. To increase the removal of waste through the skin try adding one to three cups of Epsom salt and/or sea salts. Other cleansing bath additives include:
- Rosemary, the herb or essential oil
- Peppermint, the herb or essential oil
- Seaweed
If using essential oils use eight drops for one bath. Put the oil in a cup of water and add to the bath. You can add fresh or dried herbs directly to bath water in a muslin bag or make a strong infusion and add to bath water. For a seaweed bath you can make a seaweed infusion and add this to the water or add the greens directly to the water, just be careful not to let smaller pieces enter the bathtub drain.
Try taking a cleansing bath two times a week. This will help cleanse the body of toxins while leaving you feeling renewed. Always rest after a detoxing bath and drink plenty of fluids.
Eating a high fiber diet, drinking plenty of water and using herbs and baths to purify will support the body’s own process of eliminating waste. These diet and lifestyle changes are easy to do. Try these tips yourself and see how you feel after one to two weeks.
References
Page, Linda. “Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition” (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
Hoffmann, David. “The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies.” (Element Books, 1996).
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photo by Karen and Kerry/flickr
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