How to Conduct a Holistic Detox
What a crazy and intense period of time we are living in! While many of us are well aware of the environmental toxins we endure on a regular basis the emotional toxins have been increasing exponentially in the last 2 years. Detox is an important topic in herbalism as it helps clear the way for our body’s amazing healing process. The amazing thing about herbalism though is its ability to work with health on a holistic level–mind, body and spirit. In this post I will share How to Conduct a Holistic Detox.
With everything that is being thrown at us right now we definitely need to take a broader approach to our detox efforts. My 16 year-old-daughter was the first one to point this out to me. She mentioned that she had gotten herself into a very toxic social situation pre-Pandemic. She didn’t even realize how bad it was until she was forced to stop in those early days when everything shut down back.
Now she knows this is a situation she doesn’t want to go back to. This type of introspection and attention to our feelings and mental state are just as key to a holistic detox as are the myriad of environmental toxins we deal with. Toxic people, social environments and even our own toxic thoughts are just as harmful to our health.
Today we will discuss some techniques to conduct a holistic detox.
Breathe
We will start at the beginning–breathing. Deep breathing is actually one of the best ways to detox. This simple effective method can be done anywhere. It helps calm and destress our mind but also has real physical benefits.
All of our blood goes through our lungs to receive fresh oxygen. But this is also how our body removes toxins from the blood and body. Carbon Dioxide is probably the most well-known toxin that our lungs remove from our body, but there are others. Some sources even say that our lungs remove about 70% of the toxins from our body. That is a pretty significant number.
Not only does deep breathing physically remove toxins, it helps calm us so that we immediately feel better.
There are lots and lots of specific techniques that I won’t get into here. But simply thinking about breathing, noticing the rise and fall of your chest and trying to expand that movement can work wonders for our health. Simple, easy and holistic. All it takes is attention.
Grounding/Earthing
Next we are going to work on grounding ourself. Grounding, other than teenage punishment, is a pretty new concept for me. But it is one that I definitely need. I tend to live in my head space, I love intellectual pursuits like taking classes, studying history and learning new hobbies. But grounding is about being aware of our physical needs. Things like making sure we are getting enough sleep, eating nourishing food rather than shoveling our face with whatever is convenient, etc.
But another area of grounding is actually getting in touch with the ground. One technique is as simple as standing outside without shoes on. Wiggle your toes in the grass, dirt or soil or whatever else you are standing on–just not concrete! This is affectionately called earthing. The intention is to slow down and become aware of our physical surroundings. By becoming connected to our natural surroundings, we become present in our body. This is a space where we can take a break for all the negative thoughts in our heads.
A study posted on Science Direct says–
Earthing (also known as grounding) refers to the discovery that bodily contact with the Earth’s natural electric charge stabilizes the physiology at the deepest levels, reduces inflammations, pain, and stress, improves blood flow, energy, and sleep, and generates greater well-being.
www.sciencedirect.com
Taking time to just notice how your body is feeling and connecting with its needs andd your environment is a great way to conduct a holistic detox. Take a break from negative thoughts and influences and just get physical.
Detox Herbal Infusion
Other detox protocols I have experienced seemed either harsh or complicated. But did you know that you could create your own nourishing (and tasty) herbal infusion (tea) blend that will gently detox your body?
Sometimes when we are making changes in our health journey, we think it needs to be big. But oftentimes big isn’t sustainable or necessarily healthy. Our body is skilled at adjusting the best it can to our environment in order to stay as healthy as possible. Giving it a big shock might not be the best thing. Instead, I recommend small, consistent changes that we can maintain over time.
Herbal tea (or herbal infusion) is just one of those things. In many ways the whole process is a detox. By slowing down and being intentional about the results we want we begin the process of detoxing our mind of hurried, rushed or negative thoughts. We can set aside the burdens, fears and frustrations for a moment while we prepare and drink our tea.
In the following recipe I use parts. Meaning that you can make a small quantity or a large just use the same measurement in each case whether it is a teaspoon or a cup.
You can mix up a larger batch and store in a quart jar for future use. About 1 TBSP for cup of hot water
Nourishing Detox Infusion
1 part dried red clover
1 part dried nettle
1 part alfalfa
1 part dandelion root
½ part rosehips
½ part rose petals (for fragrance and taste)
Note: if you are not into mixing your own herbs you can purchase premade tea bags of a single herb. Ones I recommend for detox are
In this method nourishing is detoxing. Talk about a holistic detox!
Detox Bath
Here is another ritual that can be included in your life–a detox bath (or footbath).
Our skin is actually one of our main organs of elimination. A nice warm bath is relaxing, helps with stress and can now help you physically detox. Phyllis Jaworski of Sacred Ibis Botanicals shared this basic recipe with me. The essential oils however of my suggestions for herbs to that calming, grounding and uplifting.
Deep Detox Bath
- 1/2 cup Bentonite Clay
- 1 cup Epsom Salts
- Up to 12 drops essential oil (try equal amounts of Chamomile, Orange and either Rose or Lavender
Moisturizing Detox Bath
- 1 cup Epsom Salts
- 1 cup baking soda
- 2 TBSP coconut oil–added when drawing the bath
- Up to 12 drops essential oil (try equal amounts of peppermint and rosemary)
Note: Epsom salt should not be used as a bath if you are pregnant. However, you can still use these recipes as a relaxing foot bath.
Sometimes just the simple act of doing something nice for ourselves can be very freeing. Many of us will spend great amounts of energy helping others, but rarely do anything nice for ourselves. Now more than ever we need to detox from the negativity all around us. Take some time and relax.
I hope these suggestions have given you some ideas of how easy and important it is to conduct a Holistic Detox and make it a regular part of a our self care routine. It won’t solve the world’s problems but it will help us be stronger as we solve them.
