Our body’s detoxification system works every day, every minute of our life to get rid of waste and keep up well. The main organs that are involved in our daily cleansing are:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Lymphatic system
- Skin
- Gut
- Lungs
What does inflammation have to do with this?
Inflammation is another natural and important mechanism in our bodies. When our immune system encounters injury, damage, or infection, it triggers the inflammatory process that eventually leads to removal of debris, toxins and to healing.
While acute, short term inflammation is a beneficial part of our immune response and defence mechanism, chronic, long term inflammation is the root cause of many diseases including:
- Diabetes
- Ulcerative colitis
- Endometriosis
- IBS
- Cardiovascular disease
- Eczema, asthma
- Autoimmune conditions
- Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
- Arthritis, ME and many more
There are many stressors that contribute to our toxic overload and chronic inflammation. Poor nutrition is the most important and obvious one. But also poor sleep, smoking, environmental toxins, pharmaceuticals, high stress levels etc.
What do I do about it?
Your nutrition is always a great place to start. Already Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE said that food is our medicine. Good, organic as much as possible, nutritionally dense food can help our bodies heal from the ill effects of poor diet as well as other toxic factors.
The main foods you should take out of your diet if you want to reduce your toxic load and ease your detox function are gluten/wheat, sugar and sodas, fast food and processed foods. Also pay attention to your fruits and veg – try to get organic where possible or at least the Dirty Dozen.
But to successfully cleanse your body and reset your health, you also need to change your lifestyle. No matter what detox protocol or diet you follow, if you then go back to your old lifestyle and eating habits that made you sick in the first place, you will quickly spiral back to misery.
- Remove toxins from your environment
- Work on your sleep hygiene
- Exercise regularly (sweating helps us remove toxins)
- Fasting
- Stress management
- Stop smoking and so on
What should I eat then?
Natural, whole foods are the obvious answer. They provide all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants etc that support your body’s defense mechanisms and help reverse diet caused issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, teeth problems and more.
Remember that we are not eating just to curb hunger but more importantly to nourish our bodies. Like an engine our bodies may start malfunctioning if we don’t give it the right fuel (nutrition). Research shows that poor diet is the cause of 1 in 5 deaths.
Here are some foods and herbs worth adding into your menu:
- Olives & olive oil – excellent for liver and bile production which helps remove toxins from the liver
- Carrots and other veg containing carotenoids – these antioxidants and vitamin A precursors can reverse negative effects of smoking and improve lung function
- Cilantro or parsley – amazing for kidney health, they can help pull toxic heavy metals from the body and contribute to antioxidant levels
- Citrus fruits – full of antioxidants and enzymes, they unclog the lymphatic system and hydrate the body
- Chia and flax seeds – important sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, fibre that supports digestion, and antioxidants
- Fermented vegetables – packed with probiotic cultures they support healthy gut and microbiome diversity
- Milk Thistle – has the ability to repair liver cells and helps purify the blood
- Don’t forget adequate hydration – that may not necessarily mean 2L of water a day for everyone; herbal teas such as nettle or chamomile can be a lovely change with tons of benefits for liver, kidneys, gut…
What else can I do to support my body’s detox?
There are many simple ways you can help your body get rid of toxins and waste more efficiently. Right nutrition and hydration are important in ensuring easy elimination through gut, kidneys, skin… To further enhance your body’s cleansing and reducing inflammation, do these activities on regular basis:
- Epsom salt baths
- Sauna (traditional or infrared)
- Earthing/grounding
- Sun exposure (for vitamin D)
- Dry brushing
Homeopathy and detox
Homeopathy offers a gentle yet powerful way to support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Homeopathic remedies are helping to restore balance and clear toxins more efficiently. The remedies are selected based on the individual’s symptoms and constitution, which allows for a personalised approach to detox. Some commonly used remedies in detox protocols include Nux vomica for liver overload and digestive sluggishness, Lycopodium for bloating and food sensitivities, or Sulphur for skin eruptions and a general feeling of toxicity.
Homeopathy can also support detoxification after medications, environmental toxin exposure, or even emotional stress, addressing the person as a whole and encouraging deep healing from within.
Where can I learn more?
I invite you to join our Mother’s Herbal Club here! You can watch the replay of all previous workshops including the detoxification one with more advice on foods and detox protocols, herbs and homeopathic remedies to support your body’s cleansing.
And in the Club we will be doing a 7 Day Spring Clean challenge starting on 7th April 2025! Are you in? We will share daily recipes and tips, exercise ideas and our progress… It is always more fun and motivating to do these things with a group of likeminded women. And the spring break is an ideal time to recharge and reset our wellness for the upcoming year!
Sounds good? Then head to the Mother’s Herbal Club page and hit the JOIN NOW button! I am looking forward to you joining us soon xx