Natural Detox

Detoxing is a great way to remove the build up of toxins from your body.  We are exposed to toxins daily via chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food and beverages we consume, the makeup, skin care and hair products we use.  Even the clothes we wear and the furniture we sit on.  While we may not be able to rid ourselves of all of the toxins we're exposed to choosing some natural alternatives is the best option.

Detoxing is seen by some as not such a good thing to do, suddenly depriving the body of all the things it's used to.  Taking these things away in one hit can stress some bodies out.  Others swear by detoxing, it's the be-all-and-end-all of cleansing the body and mind.

In general detoxing should be done for no longer than 7 days, however, the aim off this blog is to get you started off gradually and build up to a life style that promotes good health and aids in keeping the amount of toxins you're exposed to at a minimum.

So what are some natural ways to detox?

Natural bath salts are a great way to detox.  The salts draw out impurities from your body while you enjoy a relaxing soak in your bath.  It doesn't get much better than that.  Choosing natural salts that contain essential oils NOT fragrance is important as fragrance contain stabilizers that can contribute to the build up of toxins in your body.

[JOLI Bath Salts ~ Serenity]

Drinking herbal tea is a great way to flush toxins from the body.  Teas such as green tea, chamomile, jasmine and peppermint are all good as they contain no caffeine.  Avoid black tea and coffee.  If you're often tired in the morning peppermint tea and eating an apple are both great ways to wake you up in the morning.  Water is also good, however, drinking warm tea also helps aid digestion and is something you can continue to do as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Lemon water, a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon juice is good for kick starting the metabolism.  Have a glass first thing in the morning and after your last meal at night time.  If you're concerned about toxins in tap water think about getting a water purifier.

Eating healthy foods is a must.  Lots of fruits and vegetables.  Cut down on processed foods and foods that contain additives.  Again, this list of foods is something you can maintain as part of a healthy eating plan and doesn't need to be something you only do part time.

Avoid mainstream makeup, skin care and hair care products.  They contain all sorts of toxins/chemicals that are absorbed into your body as they are applied/used.  Move to more natural alternatives such as JOLI Natural Skin Care and a good brand of mineral makeup. 
Here are some brands we have researched and found that their ingredients list is quite good - though I am sure there are plenty more (if you know of more chemical free makeup brands feel free to share):

• CC Mineral Makeup
• Elusyion Mineral Makeup
• Adorn Mineral Makeup
• The All Natural Face

As you can see from the list of foods to eat [above], there is also a list of foods to avoid.  Of course sugar and alcohol are on the list.  If you smoke and wish to detox it would be necessary to quit smoking for at least 7 days during your detox (if you have no desire to quit altogether).  Cigarettes have all sorts of chemicals in them that pollute the body, causing skin to dry out and age more quickly, causing teeth to decay and discolour, and also cause your clothes, body, breath and house to smell (and your car if you smoke in there).  Giving up completely may not be something you're able to do - so try for 7 days to see how you feel.  You never know, after a 7 day detox you might not feel like taking up smoking again.

Change your cleaning agents to either home made or more natural alternatives.  This too limits the amount of toxins you're exposed to via your clothing, and wash your new clothes prior to wearing them to wash away as many chemicals as you can.  It may not have occurred to you however dyes are made with all sorts of chemicals that can cause skin reactions - this is especially important to know when considering children and babies.

What other ways can you think of to naturally detox?