Cleanse & Detoxify

 

Spring brings new growth and regeneration, which makes it a great time to refresh our systems. This month we welcome in the month with simple and gentle ways to detoxify our bodies. 

 

Understanding Our Natural Detoxification System 

 

While there are many uncontrollable factors in our overall health, through good lifestyle habits and proactive health care we can have a significant influence over our physical well-being. Proper nutrition, exercise, rest, and stress management are fairly self-explanatory, but much less concern is generally shown for practices that assist in minimizing toxic load. 

 

To understand the importance of minimizing toxic load, we must first define some foundational terms and discuss how our natural detoxification systems work. A "toxin" is any substance that causes excess stress to the body. "Toxic load" refers to the volume of these substances that have been accumulated in the body at any given time and the overall burden it places on the body systems and vital organs. Toxins come from countless sources, many of which we are not even aware of. 

 

Our body has a number of different passageways through which it is directly exposed to toxins and several different mechanisms that it uses to deal with this exposure. 

 

The three most vulnerable pathways are the lungs, the digestive tract, and the skin. We are directly exposed to toxins through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and anything that contacts our skin. Our bodies have their own natural defense mechanisms to protect these pathways. While we have little control over the quality of the air we breathe outside or chemicals we may be unknowingly exposed to, there are measures we can take to minimize exposure and support the natural mechanisms that deal with the toxins. 

 

Understanding Our Lymphatic System 

 

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that are part of the circulatory system and that help the body remove toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The system's primary role is to transport lymph, a fluid with white blood cells that fight infection throughout the body. The lymphatic system and the immune system work together to remove and destroy waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, toxins, and cancer cells. 

 

A lymphatic system that does not function well can manifest in health reactions such as: 

• Headaches
• Brain fog / trouble concentrating  
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Cold limbs
• Bloating / constipation / diarrhea  
• Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils
• Mucous
• Sluggish bowel function
• Inability to lose weight 
• Soreness or stiffness  
• Itchy skin or dry skin  
• Acne
• Eczema 
• Skin rashes
• Sore/swollen breasts
• Trouble sleeping
• Frequent mood swings  
• Anxiety 

 

 

Ways to Cleanse the Lymphatic System 

 

1. Hydrate: Dehydration is a common cause of lymph congestion. Lymph becomes thicker and less mobile when you are dehydrated, but flows well when hydrated. Add 1 drop of citrus essential oil to a full glass of pure filtered water.
2. Deep Breathing - breathing for even just 5-10 repetitions (or up to 10 minutes a day) will oxygenate the blood, circulate the lymph especially around the liver, and provide many other benefits. If possible, do this exercise outdoors in fresh air.
3. Exercise - regular exercise is one of the easiest ways to promote a healthy lymphatic system. It stimulates blood circulation and helps to transport oxygen to the tissues and cells in the body.
4. Stress Management - managing stress are necessary to maintain a well functioning lymphatic system.
5. Sauna - (if you have access) can promote detoxification, better circulation and skin purification thereby supporting a better lymphatic system.
6. Dry Skin Brushing: Promotes lymphatic drainage of toxic waste. Start a habit of dry skin brushing a few minutes before your shower or bathe using a natural bristle brush and 1 drop of your favorite essential oil.
7. Massage - the use of strokes and pressure to muscles, tissues and organs during massage help stimulate the circulatory system and expel toxins to the circulatory system for elimination.
8. Hydrotherapy - refers to the use of water (hot tubs, cold showers, ice packs, hot springs, water massage, etc.). It promotes detoxification and circulation.
9. Hot/Cold Showers - Lymphatic vessels contract when exposed to cold, and dilate in response to heat. A hot and cold shower uses the properties of water temperature and pressure to move stagnant lymphatic fluid, increase circulation, boost immune function and metabolism.
10. Trampoline/Rebounder - one of the most efficient ways to reduce lymphatic congestion, stimulate lymph flow, and exercise every cell in the body. Gentle up and down bouncing turbo charges lymph function.
11. Stretch/Yoga - Stretching and yoga poses are especially effective for moving lymph.
12. Whole Foods - Consuming processed foods, junk food, fast foods, sugary drinks, unhealthy fats, refined flour and sugar can cause inflammation and create lymphatic system congestion. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables.
13. Detox baths - Epsom salts have been known to stimulate lymph circulation in the body due to their high levels of Magnesium.
14. Essential Oils - may help stimulate our white blood cells to clean up microbes and toxins in the body. This makes the job of the lymphatic system easier as it helps eliminate excess waste. 

 

Detoxifying & Cleansing Essential Oils

 

Regular aromatherapy treatments in conjunction with exercise and a healthy diet can assist the body's natural eliminatory response by stimulating the liver, lungs and lymphatic system, kidneys, bowels, and sweat glands. 

 

As always there are many different essential oils that can be used. Those with depurative (blood-cleansing), diuretic (increases the production and secretion of urine) and stimulant properties are the most helpful. 

 

There are several essential oils that possess both depurative and diuretic properties which makes them particularly useful for supporting the body's natural detox process. 

 

These include Fennel, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, and Lemon.

 

Other useful diuretic oils are Cypress, Geranium, Tangerine, Patchouli and Rosemary. 

 

Spice oils such as Black Pepper, Clove, Cardamon, Cinnamon and Ginger can help to stimulate the circulation and flow of lymph. Fennel also helps stimulate the circulatory system. 

 

Grapefruit and Wild Orange have a stimulant effect on both the digestive and lymphatic system. 

 

Cypress and Rosemary are also hepatic, which means they help stimulate and aid liver function. 

 

Geranium supports the body's natural ability to rid itself of unwanted substances. Cilantro supports the body's natural process of eliminating toxins. 

 

Zendocrine® Detoxification Caps 

Zendocrine Detoxification Complex is a proprietary blend of whole-food extracts in a patented enzyme delivery system that supports healthy cleansing and filtering functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin. 

 

• Supports healthy cleansing and filtering functions of the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin. 
• Supports normal self-detoxification functions of the cleansing organs.

 

Zendocrine® Softgels 

• Supports the body's natural ability to rid itself of unwanted substances.
• Purifying and detoxifying to the body's systems. 
• Supports healthy liver function. 

Tangerine: extremely rich in limonene, known for its purifying benefits. 

Rosemary: supports healthy liver function. 

Geranium: supports the body's natural ability to rid itself of unwanted substances. 

Juniper Berry: supports healthy kidney function.

Cilantro: supports the body's natural process of eliminating toxins.

 

I invite you to hop over to my Insta and/or Facebook pages this month. This month we will have fun with a fresh diffuser challenge as we dive into how diffusing works, and I will share my top diffuser blends to cleanse the air, shift the mood and calm the body! You can now wipe the dust off your bottles and start using them!!  This is a perfect way to cleanse and detoxify your environment. 

 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about using natural solutions for you and your family. 

 

Until the next time.

 

Be well, Deanna

Peace. Love. Oils.