Spring is just around the corner! And the change of seasons is a good
time to embark on a seasonal detox program.
One of my favorite health practices is a seasonal cleanse to keep the body in balance.
Although I detox year round, I also find seasonal
cleansing be especially beneficial. During the spring and fall, as the
weather is changing, it is advantageous to assist the body in clearing
away a residue of toxins and prepare for the shift into a new season.
Toxins from the environment (air, soil, water) and food supply affect us
physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. These toxins lead to
immune dysfunction and illness (acute and chronic), as well as nervous
system imbalances, such as mood swings, memory issues, headaches,
anxiety, insomnia, cravings, and more. External toxins – preservatives,
food additives, pesticides, pollutants, chemicals, and heavy metals – as
well as internal endotoxins and exotoxins – from bacteria, viruses, and
parasites – can lead to debilitating diseases. Finally, toxins interfere
with the normal detoxification pathways (lymph, kidneys, liver), thereby
compounding the effects on the body even further. Toxins can be either
water-soluble or fat-soluble. Water-soluble toxins are easily released
from the body via the kidneys. Toxins that are fat-soluble are more
difficult to remove. These toxins lodge in fat cells and may stay there
for years.
The best way to embark on a seasonal cleanse is to consult a trained
practitioner. My favorite type of cleanse is an Ayurvedic detox, which takes a few days with a
supervised protocol involving diet and lifestyle adjustment, herbs,
supplements, and Panchakarma (a full-body oil and ozone steam
treatment). But you can also undertake a short 1-3 day cleanse on your
own at home using some general guidelines:
1. Begin the day with a glass of warm water and lemon juice (starts
metabolism and boosts digestion)
2. Eat three meals of easily digestible fiber-rich food with lunch being
the largest – have dinner no later than 7 PM to allow for complete
digestion prior to retiring
3. Use warming spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger (boosts
metabolism, aids digestion)
4. Avoid snacking (giving your digestion time to break down toxins);
cold foods or liquids (interfere with toxin breakdown); raw foods (hard
to digest); alcohol and sugar (stores as toxic fat)
5. Stay well hydrated to assist the kidneys, liver, and lymph in
removing toxins. Sip 8-12 ounces of warm water or herbal tea throughout
the day (warm water aids in breaking down toxins and flushes them from
the system)
6. Exercise gently – walking or yoga is best
7. Meditate. Establish an “attitude of gratitude”
8. Treat yourself to a sauna or steam bath (sweating removes toxins)
9. Retire by 10 P.M. Turn off electronics an hour prior. (Keep an
interval of 3 hours after dinner and before bedtime so as to not
interfere with melatonin production which starts to initiate sleep at 8
PM). This will set the stage for a good night’s rest so the body can be
repaired.
Most importantly – RELAX. Keep this renewal time stress-free, at meals
and throughout the day. Stress interferes with digestion and upsets the
equilibrium of the body, disrupting its natural intelligence. With these
Ayurvedic principles, your body will be able to maintain its own innate
wisdom to heal and renew.
