Detoxification is an ancient tradition that has become a modern fad. Western detox programs tend to be harsh, attempting to rapidly purge toxins from your system before you return to a typical Western diet. Eastern detox programs, however, focus on gently restoring your body to optimal alignment and overall well being.
In our everyday lives, there are many toxins that we come into contact with. Some we can control and others we can’t. But we can definitely assist our bodies by avoiding what we can and using gentle detoxification methods to keep everything functioning optimally.
Here’s just a few examples of toxins that we might encounter on a daily basis:
1. Unhealthy Foods – Your overall well being relies on you eating healthy foods. Unfortunately, in our society, it is very easy and convenient to grab foods that are heavily processed, stripped of their nutrition and full of preservatives, chemicals and dyes. All of these things can play a significantly negative role in the body’s overall function.
2. Drugs and Alcohol – It should come as no surprise that alcohol and drugs can disrupt the flow of your energy or qi. Both of these toxic substances can affect your emotions, as well as your physical health.
3. Medications – Sometimes doctors prescribe medications to fight off certain medical conditions. And although their intentions are good, they could be building up in the body and impacting other areas without you even knowing it. Some patients complain that the side effects of certain medications, especially psychiatric drugs, can be too much to handle. Getting them out of the system entirely is important for the body to find healing.
4. Self Care Products – Take a moment to think about all the products you use on a daily basis. You wash your body and your hair. You brush your teeth. You may use sunscreen and lotion for the hands and body. Maybe you use makeup. Maybe you use another product to remove the makeup. In a matter of seconds, all of these cleansers, moisturizers, serums, etc. seep into your skin and into your bloodstream. Once in your body, these toxins can begin to wreak havoc and can lead to some dangerous health concerns.
5. Environmental Toxins – Just as with hygiene and beauty products that you use on a daily basis, you also come in contact with environmental toxins, such as the laundry soap you wash your clothes in, the cleaner you use on your countertops, the toxins found in your candles and diffusers, etc. Each of these things can make their way into the body and impact your health in ways you may not even realize. Over time, toxins can build up, eventually causing your qi to come to a screeching halt.
Aside from limiting your exposure to these toxins, there are other natural ways to detox your body.
Here are some natural and gentle ways to help:
1. Fluids – The body benefits from drinking fluids. A lot of fluids. The more filtered water or green / matcha tea that you drink, the more hydrated and healthy your cells. Hydration is vitally important, as it helps with digestion, waste removal and nutrient absorption. It also helps to flush out the liver and kidneys.
2. Exercise – We all know that movement is important, but you may not have realized that it would be so beneficial in detoxing the body. In just 30 minutes daily, you can get your heart rate up, allow the blood to circulate throughout the body, fill your organs and muscles with necessary nutrients and rid the body of toxins through sweat.
3. East Asian Medicine – Various herbs are used in East Asian Medicine to promote wellness and restore balance. Using different formulas prepared in gentle ways can help with detoxing. These herbs are often focused on clearing out the liver, kidney, bowels, lymphatic system and other areas within the body charged with eliminating waste.
Acupuncture is another modality utilized by East Asian Medicine that can help the body gently detox. When we have unhealthy lifestyles filled with stress and poor diets, qi can become blocked, allowing poisons to build up. If we continue to live this way, we zap our energy and begin to feel ill. But getting regular acupuncture treatments can help. It unblocks the qi and is the key to allowing natural healing within the body.
4. Vegetable Broth – There is a specific homemade vegetable broth that is great for detoxing the body. Combine these ingredients in a large pot, cover with water, bring it to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes – 4 medium chopped zucchini squash, 1 pound green beans, 2 sticks celery, chopped, 2 bunches of parsley, stems removed and leaves chopped roughly and sea salt. Once prepared, separate the broth into glass jars for refrigeration. Warm and drink the broth for 5 days consecutively.
As we have shown, there are several things everyone can do on their own. But if you need extra help, consider reaching out to us to discuss how East Asian Medicine can help.