It is generally thought that the transitions from Winter to Summer and from Summer to Winter are the best times to cleanse. When ‘cleanse’ comes to mind, one might immediately think of hardcore multi-day fasts or intense cleanse routines. Really though, a cleanse simply means helping the body to rid of toxins – to detoxify. Keep in mind that the body naturally goes through processes of detoxification. How can one gently cleanse and aid the body’s detoxification after, or in preparation for, a northern winter? Here are some simple approaches one can take to help the body cleanse.

First Things First

Eat natural, whole foods and eliminate or greatly reduce processed sugar, processed foods, and alcohol. A healthy lifestyle is the first step.

Adequate Hydration with Good Water

For the body to function properly and rid itself of toxins, drinking enough good, high quality water is imperative. Never underestimate how important water is! Add lemon juice or trace minerals to water to help better hydration. Read more about good water here.

ACV and Cayenne

Do you recall the ‘Master Cleanse’? The ingredients of the basic master cleanse are water, apple cider vinegar (ACV), lemon juice, cayenne, a sweetener (most often maple syrup) and salt. While the master cleanse is a fast on only these ingredients, including some or all the master cleanse into a routine can help your body cleanse. Having a glass of water with lemon could be enough, but you could also try adding some apple cider vinegar and/or cayenne for an extra kick.

Drinking 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water up to three times daily for several consecutive days or even a month can help a cleanse by providing enzymes and good bacteria, promoting pH balance, aiding digestion, and helping to remove toxins from the body. (3)

Cayenne is a detoxifying spice due to the actions of capsaicin, which is found in chili peppers. Capsaicin encourages circulation which allows cells to properly dispose of waste and take in fresh nutrients and oxygen. Capsaicin also triggers cell recycling processes that help the body naturally clean up cellular waste, including in the liver. Additionally, cayenne is a decongestant and bronchodilator that helps to clear your respiratory passages of mucus and soothe congestion. The main function of mucus is to trap bacteria, viruses, and allergens. (12) Clearing this out is a good thing! Read more about Cayenne and Capsaicin here.
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Photo by Claudia Soares on Unsplash

A Note About Lymph

The lymph system is a network of vessels and lymph nodes that carry fluids and nutrients from your tissues to your blood and vice versa. The lymph system’s major functions include collecting excess fluids, absorbing and delivering dietary fat, and filtering blood for microbes, bacteria and toxins. (2) It carries waste products and debris away and is crucial for detoxification, immunity and overall health. (6)

The lymph can become congested and lymph nodes swollen from stress, acute or chronic infections, digestive imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, not drinking enough water or lack of physical exercise. (2)

Movement

Movement of lymph is dependent upon physical exercise. Vertical movement, like bouncing or jumping, is more beneficial than horizontal movement and can be thought to ‘pump’ the lymph. Jumping on a trampoline is very effective in moving lymph and helping to the body’s natural process of detoxification. (1) There are small trampolines, or rebounders, designed for use inside. Alternatively, one could jump-rope, hop/bounce in place, or dance. Overall, getting in exercise that includes vertical movement is necessary!

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Image retrieved from URL under CCby3.0

Massage

There are various ways you can massage your body to help move the lymph. Getting a massage from a massage therapist is one great way. Some therapists specialize in lymph drainage techniques. If you’ve gotten a massage, you may have been told to drink plenty of water afterwards – this is to help flush toxins from your system! You can also try self-massage, yoga, or dry brushing before bathing. Dry brushing is a technique of using a dry bristle brush on the skin to stimulate circulation and lymphatic movement. Alternating between hot and cold is another technique to ‘squeeze’ the tissues and encourage circulation. This can be achieved in the shower or taking saunas.

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Photo by Diana Akhmetianova on Unsplash

Nutrients

Make sure you’re getting enough iodine, magnesium and vitamin C to support the lymph system in protecting your body. (2) Fiber is a known helper in cleansing the digestive system. Include antioxidants in your diet. Antioxidants protect cells against damage. Nutrient-dense spirulina and chlorella are not only rich in antioxidants but may also enhance elimination of toxins including heavy metals. (11) Janet Hull PHD, CN says that trace minerals detox the body through replacement. Minerals provide the elements needed to restore tissue health. (10) Trace minerals can be found in high quality sea salt, substances like fulvic acid or shilajit and products like Concentrace by Trace Minerals Research.

The Liver

Among its many functions, the liver cleanses the blood and excretes bile to help carry away waste products. (4) The liver clears the blood of drugs and other poisonous substances as it metabolizes nutrients. All the blood that leaves the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. While liver cleansing cannot correct existing liver damage (4), doing things that cleanse the liver is important to keep the liver functioning optimally. Below are some herbs that aid the liver as well as one’s lymph system.

Herbs

There are formulated supplements that are aimed toward the lymph and liver. Here are some herbs you may see in lymph tonics and liver support formulations.

  • Calendula is useful for detoxification and moving lymph. It can help unblock swollen lymph nodes and boost the immune system. It supports the liver and clears out impurities. Calendula is useful in combination with other herbs in formulations. (6)
  • Chanca Piedra stimulates the liver to purge itself of harmful toxins and foreign substances allthewhile soothing the liver and boosting bile production. (9)
  • Chicory Root is a liver cleansing herb. (9)
  • Cleavers are a useful herb in the transition from Winter to Spring when the body may be sluggish. Cleavers is a gentle herb that improves the lymph system’s ability to flush out toxins and decrease congestion. (7)
  • Dandelion detoxifies and purifies. Dandelion root is a blood purifier that helps both the kidneys and liver remove toxins from the blood. The bitterness increases bile production and bile flow in the liver. (8)  It can be used to cleanse the lymph system of built-up waste. (9)
  • Milk Thistle is another herb known decrease liver inflammation. (4) It aids detoxification, stimulates bile production, and helps digestion. (9)
  • Peppermint is a common and gentle herb that stimulates bile flow and relaxes bile ducts. It also aids digestion. (9)
  • Red Root is a lymph system stimulant and tonic, as well as anti-inflammatory to both the liver and spleen. It helps to clear dead cellular tissue from the lymph system. (5)
  • Turmeric is not only an anti-inflammatory, it helps stimulate enzymes responsible for flushing toxins from the body. It has also been found to protect against liver injury. (4)
  •  Yellow Dock is a known blood purifier used to clean toxins. It stimulates bile production, enhances liver detoxification, improves flow of digestive juices, and helps to flush out harmful substances. (9)

In Conclusion

The foundation for aiding the body in its natural flow is good food, good water and movement. To boost your body’s detoxification try including some cleansing herbal tea or tincture preparations into your diet for a while, perhaps in conjunction with daily ACV or lemon water and some exercise aimed to move your lymph. For formulated and prepared options, companies like Renew Life specialize in creating detox and cleansing products such as colon and parasite cleanses, heavy metal detoxing, liver support and more.
Featured Image by Jonnelle Yankovich on Unsplash

Sources

1)    Scrivens, D. (2008). Rebounding: Good for the Lymph System. Well Being Journal, 17(3). Retrieved from URL.

2)    Jockers. (2021). Lymphatic Cleansing: 8 Ways to Clear Lymph Congestion. Dr. Jockers.com: Supercharge Your Health. Retrieved from URL.

3)    Wilson, D. (2018) Apple Cider Vinegar Detox: Does it work?. Healthline. Retrieved from URL.

4)    Detoxing Your Liver: Fact Versus Fiction. (2021). John Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved from URL.

5)    Buhner, S. Herbal Antibiotics.

6)    Sexton, S. (2020). Calendula: Lymph Mover, Detoxifier, Cancer Fighter, and Skin Beautifier. GrowNetwork. Retrieved from URL.

7)    Cleavers Infusion and Tips for a Healthy Lymphatic System. (2020). Putumayo Kitchen. Retrieved from URL.

8)    Perscription for Herbal Healing

9)    Group, E. (2018). The Top 9 Herbs for Liver Cleansing. Global Healing. Retrieved from URL.

10) Hull, J. (2017). Trace Minerals – A Powerful and Stealth Detoxing Tool. JanetHull.com. Retrieved from URL

11) Jennings, K. (2017). 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Chlorella. Retrieved from URL.

12) Group, E. (2017). All You Want to Know About Cleansing With Cayenne Pepper. Global Healing. Retrieved from URL.

The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.