How To Start A Spring Detox

Cleaning up for Spring?
Don’t forget to give your Liver some love.

Supporting your body’s detoxification system is critical for good health, and a cleanse which can range anywhere from 1 day to a full month depending on personal preference and how limited the diet is can get your body’s primary detoxification organs running more smoothly. Let’s detox!

Spring is a great time to detox because we often feel sluggish from the heavy foods of Winter, and many of our detox-friendly foods and herbs naturally emerge in Spring. Bitter greens, bright Spring vegetables, earthy roots, vibrant broths, and teas form the backbone of a good cleanse.

Although a plant-based diet rich in vegetables and fibre supports healthy detoxification in general, certain foods play detox superstar by encouraging bile production, containing Glutathione (which is good for the Liver), or acting as diuretics. Vitamin C helps the body produce Glutathione. Aim to eat lot’s of the following foods during a detox:

• Bitter vegetables (Artichoke, lettuce, escarole, radicchio, arugula, bitter greens).
• Diuretic Foods (Dandelion, parsley, burdock, celery).
• Cruciferous vegetables (Broccoli, kale, watercress, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts). Also include in your daily food intake:
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Beets, Berries
• Sour Citrus
• Pomegranate
• Garlic and Onions
• Mushrooms
• Green Tea
• Flax and Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Culinary herbs and spices, especially Turmeric

Detox Friendly Herbs

You can bolster your detox efforts with herbs that support the Liver and whole body detoxification. Blood Purifiers are herbs that support and clean the blood via the Liver and Lymphatic system. Herbs that support detoxification via the Liver and Lymph include:

• Dandelion root and leaf
• Burdock root
• Chicory root
• Citrus peels or wedges with rind
• Turmeric root
• Artichoke leaf
• Chickweed
• Calendula Blossoms
• Milk Thistle

You should be able to find these herbs at any good Whole/Health food shops-teas being the most popular and easy way to take them. You may be able to buy them in bulk powdered form so you can add to your favorite drink or detox recipe.

Eating a clean diet and reducing toxin exposure are important elements of a good detox. You may feel a little rough for the first few days of a cleanse as you adjust to the withdrawals from your regular diet-but after that you will hopefully feel fantastic.

It goes without saying that drinking lot’s of water is very important during this process. It’s worth noting that detoxification is generally not appropriate for pregnant or nursing women. You should seek a Practitioner’s guidance before cleansing, especially if you have Diabetes, Heart disease, Kidney or Liver disease, or are taking prescribed medication.

There is an abundance of information online about different ways to detox and reputable Health Food shops should be able to answer any questions you may have. Launch into Spring feeling revitalized and renewed, your body will thank you.