Tips to Support the Detox Process this spring
An Organ we Don’t Often Think About is the Skin
Try some of these simple practices to help support the detox process, inside and out
I cringed at the sight of my skin while recently visiting a day spa in Queenstown. While I look after my face and neck religiously, over winter the rest of my body gets ignored and hidden under multiple layers of clothing!
Can you relate?
Here are some things I’m doing at the moment…
Dry Body Brushing and Moisturising
Each morning this month I have been dry body brushing before showering. Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage. Also, by unclogging pores, it's easier for the body to sweat and eliminate toxins in your system. Then out of the shower for a layer of good quality moisturiser.
Bath with all the goodies
I’m aiming for two baths a week at the moment as it is a wonderful way to create ease in my body that is always tired come the end of the day! I’ve been making my own concoction lately with epsom salts, baking soda, coconut oil and a few drops of essential oils. Dry body brush before you get in and by the time you get out your skin feels incredible, no need to moisturise!
Natural Tanning
Find a good quality tanning product with no nasties (we’re detoxing remember!) to give your body a gorgeous glow.
Increase Fluids
Spring is a great time to increase your water intake. Hydrating is one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective way to detox your internal systems. It is getting warmer so you may be naturally feeling thirstier. Try setting an alarm as a reminder to have more water or create a new routine where you fill your drink bottle up when going to the photocopier/toilet etc…
Morning Tonics
Anyone that does my Facebook classes will have seen my big pink cup that I sip away on through a straw…
Here’s what’s in it:
Half the juice of a lemon
Splash of apple cider vinegar
Turmeric based herbal tea or fresh turmeric (I’m allergic to ginger but you could use either)
Superfeast adaptogenic herbs. I’m using Jing and Qi at the moment. MSM and Shizsandra are also good spring options
Soon after my morning tonic I have a large glass of water with a tablespoon of Goddess Greens which is simple and potent: matcha, barley grass and cinnamon. A lot of greens powders out there have so many ingredients it’s ridiculous. That’s why I love this organic, locally made product.
I’d love to hear in the comments what self-care rituals you’re incorporating at the moment. I’m sure it will be inspiring for us all!
Jane xo
Kombucha, Exercise, Skin Therapies, Adaptogenic Herbs, Acupuncture and Massage
Kombucha
1 glass per day for gut health and a refreshing drink
Exercise
Set some goals this week around exercise. Choose things that challenge you but activities that you enjoy. If you love to walk, maybe try heading up a hill, the view at the top will be worth it! Schedule your exercise into your calendar and make it a priority.
Also, find some time to SWEAT this week! If somewhere local to you has a sauna, treat yourself to that, or maybe try a hot yoga class. Sweating is great for the detoxification process so at this point in our detox it would be great to get your sweat on a few times this week.
Skin
The skin is the largest organ in our body so it's really important to look at ways to detoxify it, and there are many!
Hydrotherapy. After you shower, turn down the temperature as low as you can tolerate (eventually you'll be able to completely turn down the hot water). Cover every inch of your body with cool water, including the soles of your feet. Focus the cold stream on any achy areas. Then alternate hot and cold, finishing with a little cool. Try doing cold for 30 seconds and hot for around a minute, just enough for your body to adapt to each temperature. Repeat 1-3 times, then dry yourself, rubbing briskly. This therapy helps strengthen and normalise the nervous, circulatory, endocrine (hormonal), musculoskeletal, and immune systems, and is excellent for helping the body cope with stress.
Salt Body Scrub. Run a bath and get some Epsom salts. stand in the bath and rub the salts quite firmly all over your body, then slip in and soak in the salts.
Seaweed Detox Bath. For a powerful detoxifying bath, use mineral-rich seaweed and Epsom salt. Sea salt is purifying and baking soda softens the skin for a smooth feel. Here's the recipe:
*1 cup Epsom salt
*1/2 cup dried kelp or dulse
*1/2 cup sea salt
*1 cup baking soda
Grind the seaweed into a powder by hand or in a blender. Add the entire mix to your warm or hot bath. Soak for 20 minutes and rinse with cold water
Dry Skin Brushing. This technique helps get rid of toxins and dead cells. It also helps with blood and lymphatic circulation as well as cellulite. It does require a special dry skin brush that you can buy at your local pharmacy or health store. Starting at the feet use circular strokes to brush back to the heart, do the whole body except the face, genitals and any areas with acne, eczema, psoriasis or cuts.
Myofascial Release
Check out my blog in the member’s section on myofascial release for the neck and upper back or go to the Facebook member’s group for a couple of guided classes
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs, also referred to as “adaptogens,” are defined as agents that support the body’s ability to accommodate varying physical and emotional stresses. How many times can you think of a point in your life where you could use that? (for example, stress at work, family stress, and physical stress on your body.) Is this something that could really be out there, easily accessible to us all?
Currently, people use caffeine for this same effect. People drink multiple cups of coffee each day to give them a lift when they get tired. Some people drink soda. However, these choices tend to end with a crash. Adaptogens are herbs that have been used for thousands of years in both Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine where they are the basis of preventative approaches. These herbs are used to support one’s energy and better handle stress.
Adaptogens were at one time and still are by some, called tonics. Although tonics have a general effect on the entire body, they also have specific effects on certain systems as well. For example, there are heart tonics, nervine tonics, digestive tonics, and tonics for the glandular system.
Adaptogens may be considered regulators and they support the stress response system. In doing so, they help to modify and regulate hormone production and flow.
Examples of adaptogens are included below, as well as a direct link on each herb's name to an aligning product on our local wellness specialist Hannah's website A Nourishing Notion, who I spoke with in last week's overview:
Astragalus - One of the great tonic herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine, astragalus has been used to cultivate a robust circulatory system, enhance surface and deep immunity, tone the liver, support Spleen Qi and boost vitality.
Ashwagandha - For more than six thousand years Ashwagandha (an Ayurvedic Rasayana) has been treasured for its ability to revitalise and rejuvenate. It helps down-regulate the body’s stress response, promote restorative sleep, calm the mind and support healthy ageing. Especially helpful for those suffering from chronic illness, overwork, lack of sleep and nervous exhaustion.
Rhodiola - Rhodiola Rosea, called Rhodiola, and known as "golden root" or "arctic root" in the mountainous parts of Europe and Asia, has long been employed in Eurasian traditional medicine as a natural tonic, referred to as an "adaptogen." Rhodiola is used to promote good health, strength, endurance and physical and mental performance.
Schizandra - This ‘beauty berry’ of the Orient was used by ancient Chinese royalty to preserve youthfulness, enhance physical radiance, boost sexual desire and as a potent reproductive tonic. This nourishing adaptogenic herb also helps balance the nervous system, improve brain function, elevate immunity & support all five major organs.
Reishi - The ‘mushroom of immortality’. Modern herbalists love reishi for its powerful adaptogenic qualities. Reishi is used to support the immune system, relieve stress, strengthen the spirit, calm the mind and promote peaceful sleep. A great source of unique minerals for beauty and health.
I highly recommend Superfeast adaptogenic herbal products. get yours from A Nourishing Notion. Hannah will help guide you towards what combination you need. I use them daily!