How to Cleanse
Traditional practices and ancient healing arts like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda tell us that cleansing the body, mind, and heart helps to kick-start health and wellbeing.
Plus, regular cleansing is a fantastic opportunity to reassess your life and address any areas that might be out of balance.
But…. there are so many cleanses out there.
How can you ensure you’re getting the most benefit from your cleanse? Can you incorporate other techniques into your daily life to help your cleanse work more efficiently?
Whatever cleanse you choose, there are simple actions you can take every day to ensure your body is fully supported and releasing and processing as much toxicity as possible. Whether you cut out harmful foods or incorporate healing herbal medicine, you can use the list below during your cleanse and beyond to ensure you get the most out of your body’s detox systems.
Following is a list of the organs of detoxification and suggestions on how to work with each organ during cleansing:
Colon
The colon (or large intestine) is one of the main avenues of elimination. According to Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, the colon is the primary organ for letting go, physically and emotionally.
During cleansing, it’s crucial to have regular bowel movements. This will help fully discharge excess waste products and toxins released by tissues and organs.
In the morning and after meals, massage your abdomen with a small amount of massage oil in a clockwise direction. This mimics the direction of the intestines and helps to break up any stagnation. As you circle your hands around the navel, occasionally stop and press a little firmer with a gentle shaking action of your hand. Use this exercise regularly if you have inconsistent bowel movements or you’re experiencing constipation.
You can also visualize letting go and focus on exhaling to release.
Liver and Gallbladder
The liver and gallbladder process almost all toxins that the body encounters. Their most well-known function is processing alcohol and drugs, but they’re just as crucial in dealing with all those supplements and fats you eat. Chinese Medicine tells us that anger, resentment, and stress are stored in these organs; when you cleanse them, you’ll experience greater clarity and creativity.
During cleansing, you want to encourage the body to release toxins stored in the liver. Many of these toxins are held in the digestive system and fat tissue.
Drink a large glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice, or take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, every morning. This is a great way to activate the liver and digestion and prepare it for a day of cleansing.
You can find a yin yoga sequence for the liver and gallbladder meridians here.
Kidneys
The kidneys excrete waste through urine. Chinese Medicine tells us that the kidneys are related to fear, and healing this organ can help one find a deep sense of trust.
Drink lots of water throughout the day when cleansing. This will help to eliminate accumulation and dilute toxins.
Energetically, the kidneys are considered the foundation of the body’s energy (Qi). They can be quickly depleted by stress. During the cleansing process, you are deliberately stressing the body as you release longer-held toxins. Keep your lower back warm and supported to counteract this depletion.
Lungs
The lungs are a powerful organ of detoxification. With every inhale, you take in new vitality, and with every exhale, you let go of excess. Breathing in fresh air is a form of vital energy (Qi) that helps fuel your entire being.
Take time during your cleanse to be in nature and breathe deeply. As you inhale, expand your lungs to bring the breath all the way down to the belly. Make the exhale a little longer than the inhale, and focus on fully releasing every last drop of breath.
Skin
The skin and the outer layer of the body are considered your first defence against outside influences. They also play a role in detoxification. You can use the skin’s cleansing power by increasing the amount you sweat.
Using a sauna, practicing hot yoga, dancing, or exercising enough to break a sweat helps the body release unwanted contaminants from tissues.
During your cleanse, use dry skin brushing to revitalize the skin, blood, and lymph fluid. This will also slough any dead skin cells off that may be blocking full detox. Use a loofah on dry skin, starting at the feet. Use small circular and sweeping motions, always moving towards the heart. Add some extra clockwise circles around the abdomen to activate the digestive system.
Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system plays a central role in the body’s movement, processing, and eventual elimination of waste products. Through a series of channels, toxins are pushed out of the tissues and into the lymph fluid, where they’re carried on for processing.
Book a massage with a practitioner or practice self-massage to help the lymph circulate. Alternating hot and cold water therapy is another effective technique for activating the lymphatic system. Begin by having a sauna, hot bath, or shower, then have a quick cold shower or a blast of cold water, focusing on areas where the lymph nodes concentrate (behind the knees, the groin, and the armpits).
Next time you plan for or participate in a cleanse, remember that you can take many small actions each day to accelerate the detoxification process, both physically and energetically. Good luck and happy cleansing!
Want to learn more about cleansing? Be sure to check out Calm and Renew, where we explore how to create a personalized cleanse that’s right for you.
