Detox and Cleansing after over-indulgence
Most of us, no matter how hard we try, will overindulge during at some part of the year. If you are feeling that you may have overdone it, and you’re a little worse for wear, the following advice might be of interest:
- Cut back on alcohol, and ensure 2 or 3 alcohol free days per week. This will give your liver a much-needed ‘rest’.
- Drink water - pure, unadulterated water. Aim for 2 litres per day. This will brighten up your skin and increase your energy levels.
- Body brushing is a great way to boost the circulation and lymphatic system and reduce fluid retention. Use a natural bristle brush (you can also buy specialist brushes from some health and beauty shops). Start gently, using firm but light strokes on dry skin, going towards the heart. The thighs, buttocks and arms are particularly good places to brush. Do not use the brush on the face or other sensitive/damaged areas of skin. Follow with a glass of water, a warm bath and if you are really up for it, a cool to cold shower after this. This is guaranteed to leave you tingling all over. Gradually increase the pressure of the brushing (but do not scratch the skin) over the next few days and weeks. To avoid becoming too accustomed to brushing, have a break every few days.
- As for diet and exercise, there’s no need to go on punitive diets and fasts which we generally tend to give up on after a few days or weeks. Simply cut down on the amount of sweets and fat you are eating, ensure that you are getting your 5 fruit and veg daily, include lots of dark green leaves in your diet and aim for 40 minutes exercise 3 times weekly as a minimum. This could include walking the dog, dancing or swimming.
- Fasting and detox diets. These certainly have their place, but we would recommend that you seek advice from a qualified nutritional therapist or herbalist before embarking on a rigorous detoxification programme. People with health problems should certainly approach with caution, and pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid. For most people, having one day per week of light eating - mainly fruit, vegetables and water - poses no problems and gives the body a much-needed rest.
Herbs
Many herbs can help to detoxify and cleanse the body. Teas are a good way of taking herbs for cleansing purposes, as you will automatically be increasing your fluid intake. Dandelion leaf, nettle leaf, yarrow herb, marigold flowers, juniper berries and vervain herb have useful detoxifying actions. Psyllium seeds and husks, a gentle bulking agent, improve bowel function and help excrete unwanted toxins from the body.The liver also requires support during times of overindulgence. Milk thistle tincture improves liver function and is very helpful for those attempting to reduce their alcohol intake. Other useful cleansing tinctures include globe artichoke, dandelion root and chicory root.
Essential Oil
Geranium is a superb oil for supporting the liver. Use in a vaporiser, as an ingredient in a massage oil, or simply add 6 drops of the oil to a warm bath before getting in.A wonderful complement to the essential oil is rose geranium face and body cream and aromatic water. The cream is ideal for rubbing into the body after body brushing and showering. The water can be used as an energising and calming spritzer over the face at any time of the day.
Resources
Finding a qualified herbalist.
Dandelion Leaf and Root
Nettle Leaf
Yarrow Flowering Tops
Marigold (Calendula)
Juniper Berries
Vervain
Psyllium husks
Milk Thistle
Globe Artichoke
Chicory Root
Geranium Essential Oil and Rose Geranium Cream and Water
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