Outside of fasting, cleansing & resetting the system, there are a few other methods of detoxification which assist the body’s natural process of elimination.
Toxins don’t just come from eating a poor diet. They are triggered internally when the body is under stress. They also come from a wide variety of environmental factors such as air/soil/water pollution, radiation, wifi, pesticides, mass production, factory farming, the list goes on.
Thankfully there are ways in which we can target unwanted toxins and stop them from entering our system and causing long-term damage. These are topical body detoxification methods. So in addition to a healthy diet and regular cleansing, we recommend working the following methods into your routine.
Dry Skin Brushing
One third of your body’s toxins are ingested and excreted through the skin. Dry brushing helps to unclog pores and excrete toxins that become trapped in the skin.
How: Before showering, use a natural bristle brush to scrub your entire body starting at your feet and moving towards your heart in long motions.
Benefits: Exfoliates dead skin, stimulates your lymphatic system, reduces cellulite (stored toxins in fat tissue), unclogs pores and decongests skin.
Tongue Scraping
Since the oral cavity is one of the main gateways between your mind/body and the environment, maintaining the health of this connection is critical to general well-being. Tongue scraping removes toxins expelled through the tongue overnight during sleep.
How: Using a metal/copper tongue scraper, drag it from the back of the tongue forward. Rinse & repeat 3 times. Practice daily. It is important to do this first thing in the morning before eating or drinking.
Benefits: Assists the process of removing toxins and also prevents them from re-entering your system.
Oil Pulling
Your mouth provides direct access to your lymphatic & immune systems. Oil pulling is an ancient method used for detoxification and rejuvenation of the oral cavity as well as a preventative method for stopping bacteria from travelling into your system.
How: Swish/gargle 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil around your mouth for 10-20 minutes after tongue-scraping. Rinse & brush teeth after.
Benefits: Coconut oil is full of antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties killing any unwanted bacteria, while leaving behind healthy probiotic strains.
These methods are especially great to put into practice after a cleanse in order to keep the body as clean & toxin-free as possible.
Forming a daily ritual is not only a great way to ensure your body is in a constant state of detoxification, but also a really nourishing opportunity to connect with your body and set aside some time out of your day just for you.