Everything You Need to Know About Detoxing |

The mainstream will tell you detoxing isn’t possible. For instance, The Guardian states:

“There’s no such thing as ‘detoxing’. In medical terms, it’s a nonsense. Diet and exercise is the only way to get healthy.”

They go on to say how all detoxes are fads and state:

“Detoxing – the idea that you can flush your system of impurities and leave your organs squeaky clean and raring to go – is a scam (1).”

That’s a bit of an exaggeration of the purpose of detoxification. Nonetheless, why do you think the patient is expected to cleanse their colon with excessive use of Miralax before a colonoscopy? It’s a form of detoxification, just using toxin-filled products.

The mainstream acknowledges that enhancing and rejuvenating the body’s natural detoxification system is possible. But wouldn’t improving your detoxification system, in turn, result in detoxing the body?

If your detoxification pathways are clogged or not being supported properly, they can’t detox. Some of these so-called “fads” are enhancing and rejuvenating what your body is naturally supposed to be doing. The thing is, these bodily functions may be hindered due to everyday toxin exposure.

I’m not suggesting taking Miralax, but we want to provide a regimen to remove toxins and impurities from the body – just as the definition means (2).

Although many mainstream sources will say detoxing isn’t possible, science proves otherwise.

How to Detox

Before starting a detox, one must understand that detoxing technically comes in three parts – opening overburdened detox pathways, removing built-up toxins, and supporting the body. The detoxing process is much more complex than the mainstream’s “squeaky clean” claim. Since the process is complex, let’s discuss each part of detoxing and break them down into manageable steps.

Part 1 & 2: Opening Overburdened Detox Pathways & Eliminating Toxins

The first part of detoxing is a two-part process – opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating built-up toxins – detox pathways like the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and bowel. Our bodies help us detox from all the junk around us. But if we are exposed to many toxins at once, the detox pathways can become sluggish and overworked. The first step is to help them get working normally again!

Once the detox pathways are open and functioning, that’s half the battle! The body is working better independently, which is the whole goal. Now you’re ready for the second part of detoxing – removing built-up toxins. Toxins build up throughout the body, usually in fat, muscles, lymphatic fluid, blood, or brain. It can be dangerous to knock these toxins loose if the detox organs aren’t open and working correctly because then the body can’t eliminate the toxins, which can circulate and cause further damage. Many “detox plans” don’t emphasize this enough.

Opening up overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins can be tricky and may look different for everyone, depending on where you are on your journey. I recommend starting with the beginner steps and working through the intermediate and advanced steps to maximize your detoxing potential.

Beginner steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

Increase water consumption to help flush toxins out.
Ensure you get enough electrolytes (e.g., drink homemade Ginger-Lemon or Turmeric-Lime Electrolyte Drinks or Earthley’s Electrolyte Powder).

Intermediate steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

Encourage sweat production (e.g., exercise and sauna therapy).
Focus on consuming whole foods (e.g., real food or plant-based).

Advanced steps for opening overburdened detox pathways and eliminating toxins:

Eliminate liver disruptors (e.g., alcohol and medications like acetaminophen).
Limit toxin exposure (e.g., consider houseplants that filter the air, swapping out cleaning supplies and food toxins).

Part 3: Supporting The Body

While detoxing, you should support your entire body – liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, gut, immune system, and adrenals. Not doing this step is often the #1 detox mistake. z Like the previous section, I recommend starting with the beginner steps and working through the intermediate and advanced steps to maximize your body’s detoxing potential.

Beginner steps for supporting your body:

Support liver health (e.g., use castor oil packs, take liver-supporting herbs like milk thistle and dandelion, and supplements like Earthley’s Liver Love or Black Liver Oil).
Support kidney health (e.g., use kidney-supporting herbs like cranberries, astragalus, cleavers, and yellow dock).

Intermediate steps for supporting your body:

Support lymphatic health (e.g., dry brushing or lymphatic massages with Earthley’s Lymphatic Cream and/or make a Lymphatic Support Tincture.
Support the immune system (e.g., use immune-supporting herbs like echinacea, made elderberry syrup, and supplements like Earthley’s Adaptogenic Immunity, Vita-C, or Immune-Aid).

Advanced steps for supporting your body:

Support gut health (e.g., drink kombucha, take gut-supporting herbs like peppermint and pumpkin seeds, and supplements like Earthley’s Gut Health Oil or Candida Cleanse).
Support adrenal health (e.g., drink adrenal cocktails, take adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and Schisandra, and supplements like Earthley’s Master Tonic).

Aside from the #1 detox mistake of not supporting your body’s natural detox pathways, one must remember to not let their body return to this state again. This can be hard, especially considering we live in a toxin-filled world. I recommend detoxing every few months (especially after vacations) to ensure the body doesn’t become overburdened again.