Most of us cleanse by taking a herbal cleansing kit or doing a special modified diet. There are many ways in which you can enhance the detoxification process including dry skin brushing, castor oils packs, saunas, and more. Read on to learn how to incorporate these into your cleanse.
DRY SKIN BRUSHING
What is the purpose?
Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymphatic system in your body which can be considered one of the primary organs of toxic waste elimination. The lymphatic carry waste products from all your tissues to the blood where it can then be directed towards other organs of elimination such as the kidneys. Skin brushing also directly stimulates your skin, removing old dead skin cells and bringing fresh blood and therefore nutrients to the surface. The skin is an important organ of elimination, thus the importance of sweating.
Benefits of dry skin brushing summarized:
exfoliates dead skin cells and increases cell renewal enhances circulation of skin and underlying organs and glands assists lymphatic drainage opens surface capillaries, bringing warmth to the surface assists in elimination of toxins through the skin breaks down cellulite energizes and revitalizes releases tension from underlying muscles assists in the redistribution of fat deposition assists in the balancing of pH in the body
What equipment is needed? All you need for skin brushing is a natural vegetable bristle brush and about 2-5 minutes before you go to bed.
Dry Skin Brushing Instructions
Begin brushing with vigorous strokes on feet soles. Very gently brush from the tops of the feet, around the ankles and upward on the legs. Focus on the inner ankles and leg where lymph channels run. Brush small circles around the knees and longer strokes behind the knees, upward. Brush upper legs and buttocks with repeated strokes. This is where increased circulation can prevent and reduce cellulite. Brush gently, but thoroughly along the inguinal areas, following upward on the abdomen. Brush around the breasts (avoid nipples), up and down on the breastbone, as well as circling around the breast tissue with the arm raised, including the armpit in a downward stroke. The thoracic duct empties lymph flow into the venous system on the left side just lateral to the breast. Brush along the spine upward from the bottom and downward from the top (always towards the heart). Brush all around the neck where you have many glands including the thyroid. Next, brush downward onto the shoulders andaround the scapula. Start at the fingertips, brushing both the back of the hands and the palms, then upward on the arms toward the torso. Focus on the inner arms from elbow to armpit where lymphatic channels run. Fish by returning to the soles of the feet and brush them again. Reference: Robin DiPasquale, ND in UnifiedEnergetics spring 2007 Volume 3
BREATHING EXERCISES
With deep breaths we help alkalinize our bodies, a primary goal of many detoxification routines.
While laying flat on your back, place your left hand on your upper chest and right hand on your abdomen. Inhale deeply through the nose, while the right hand feels the abdomen rise. Try not to move the left hand while inhaling (avoid moving chest or shoulders). Exhale slowly as the abdomen moves inward and upward towards the ribs moving your right hand. Try to exhale as long as you can before inhaling again. Try 20 breaths 4-5 x daily.
CASTOR OIL PACKS
Physiological effects of the castor oil pack may be any of the following: stimulating the liver, increasing eliminations, relieving pain, increasing lymphatic circulation, improving gastrointestinal function, increasing relaxation, and reducing inflammation. Most of these are based on historical observation rather than scientific studies. Best to avoid castor oils packs during heavy menses and in cases of appendicitis, diabetic neuropathy, pregnancy (abdominal area), inflammation or burns and skin conditions.
Instructions for Use
Boil or launder the flannel to remove any impurities (optional) If you do not have a Castor Oil Pack Holder, you can improvise with using plastic wrap and a towel (or other binding). If using plastic wrap, cut a somewhat larger piece than the folded flannel. Place the cloth on top of the Pack Holder or plastic wrap and saturate it with castor oil. The cloth should be wet but not dripping. Placed cloth directly on the skin with the plastic wrap on top of it. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on low over top the plastic wrap Leave in place for approximately 40 minutes or more. An alternative is without heat, using the Pack Holder or a towel wrapped around the body (with safety pins to hold it in place). This can be left on overnight or for an entire 24 hour period. Afterward the skin can be cleansed, if desired, with a solution containing a tsp of baking soda per pint of water. The flannel pack may be used repeatedly and may be kept in a plastic container in the refrigeratorbetween treatments. The flannel pack should be replaced periodically. Minimum use is 40 minutes each day – for three consecutive days in a week – this frequency and duration may often be exceeded in order to bring better and faster relief. The most common side effect is a rash that may occur at the site of the pack. This typically only occurs during the first few applications of the pack, and may be relieved by using the baking soda wash. If you absolutely must clean the pack, begin by soaking the pack in a solution of baking soda and hot water, using four ounces of soda to two quarts of water. After soaking the pack for at least 20 minutes, wring it out thoroughly and allow it to air dry. The same pack may be used for weeks or months. Add 1 tablespoon castor oil to the pack every 4 –5 uses. Store the pack in plastic in a cool place. Source: Immunomodulation Through Castor Oil Packs Harvey Grady Journal of Naturopathic Medicine Volume 7, Number 1 1999
HYDROTHERAPY – CONTRAST SHOWERS
Apply 1 minute hot water to tolerance Follow 10 seconds very COLD water to tolerance Repeat Steps 1 and 2 up to 3 times End the shower with cold water to the lower back
How does hydrotherapy help me?
Increases blood flow to the area therefore bringing new blood, nutrients and immune factors to the skin, joints and organs Acts as a pump to increase circulation and help clear away old stagnant debit that irritates tissues
HYDROTHERAPY – SAUNAS
** Best avoid this if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
Sit in the sauna for 10-20 minutes. Drink plenty of water prior to, during and after the sauna. End the sauna with a 30 second cold shower for best effects.
How do Saunas help me?
help eliminate toxins from your body through the skin reduce the workload of the liver and kidneys cleanse the skin sooth painful and stiff muscles may help asthma or other lung conditions Acts as a pump to increase circulation and help clear away old stagnant debit that irritates tissues improves circulation increases energy and promotes relaxation
JUICING TO DETOXIFY
General Guidelines for Juicing
Focus on vegetables and limit fruits. Apples go better in flavor and digestion with vegetable juice than other fruits. Since fiber is important and fruits taste great alone, save fruits to eat whole. Always include a dark leafy green (Dandelion leaves, Kale, Parsley, Spinach) Drink as fresh as possible or refrigerate for later use Try include ginger and garlic according to taste and tolerance Dilute with Water as Desired Sweeten Using Apple or Carrot or a Combination Rotate for Variety If Juicing is New Start Slowly, the Greens Can Be Especially Powerful Juicing Removes Fibre so Eat Vegetables Whole in Addition When juicing vegetables with small leaves like Parsley, rap them into a larger leaf Like Kale or roll them into a ball to get more juice out of them
WARNINGS
Juicing may not be good for diabetics because of the lack of fibre and high carbohydrate content Juicing may not be helpful for those who are always cold or during the winter time. Adding ginger and garlic will help add warmth If you have kidney stones avoid juicing vegetables high in oxalic acid: spinach, beets, collard greens
LIVER LOVER
2-3 Carrots 1/2 Raw Beet or Black Radish 1/2 fresh Burdock Root or 1/4 tsp Powder 1 Dandelion Leaf or 2 -3 Leaves of Alternative Green 1 Stalk Celery 1/4 Cup Artichoke
TUMMY SOOTHER
1 Cup Raw Cabbage 1 Oz. Aloe Vera Juice (Preservative Free) 1 Tbsp Slippery Elm Powder 1 Cup Pineapple
KIDNEY LOVER*
1/4 Cup Fresh Cranberries 2 Stalks of Celery 1 Apple 1 Bunch of Parsley
GALLBLADDER LOVER
1 Whole Green Apple 1/2 Fresh Lemon 3 Carrots Green Leaf of Choice
BLOOD PRESSURE DRINK
1/2 Dandelion Leaf 1 Small Bunch of Parsley 2 Sticks of Celery 2 Carrots 1/2 Small Cucumber
HEART LOVER
1/2 Clove Garlic 2-3 Green Leaves 1/2 Inch Ginger 2 Carrots 2 Stalks of Celery
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRINK
1/2-1 Inch Ginger 3 Leaves of Kale 1/2 Green Apple 1 Stalk Celery
