So let's review.
The body has several ways to rid itself of toxins:
· The digestive system
· The lymphatic system
· The excretory system
The urinary system
The skin and body membranes
The respiratory system is generally not impacted by toxins unless you smoke or
are exposed to chemicals or fumes. The system certainly slows down when you
have phlegm or mucus from a cold or bronchitis. There are a few things you can
take to help your respiratory system.
Garlic is an overall terrific
antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal. It can be helpful in fighting many
infections. It works in the lungs because allicin, which is the active
ingredient, is excreted through the lungs when you breathe. It’s one of the
reasons we get garlic breath.
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Eucalyptus is also excreted through the lungs. It is
antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. It can be drunk as a tea. Of course if
you have a persistent cough, or pain when you breathe, you should see your
physician.
The Digestive System,
the Stomach
Having the proper
level of hydrochloric acid (HCl) is important not just for detoxifying, or killing
dangerous microbes, but it is also needed to break down the nutrients in your
food.
Many, many people are taking antacids, and in some cases they may have
too much HCl. But for the majority of people, the digestive tract has been
damaged and it will respond to changes in the diet.
Taking antacids regularly can
lead to malabsorption of vitamins and minerals. Without the proper acid balance
you can also experience infections resulting from food poisoning as well as
SIBO (small bacterial intestinal overgrowth).
If the toxic load checklist from my previous post indicates that your digestive system is not working at its optimum level, there
are steps you can take to increase the level of hydrochloric acid.
Bitters have long
been used as a digestive aid. They can be found in health food stores and some
supermarkets. Though they are classified as safe to use, European authorities
recommend against taking them if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have
peptic ulcers. Bitters should be mixed with water and taken before meals. Mix 1
teaspoon with 5 teaspoons of water.
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Apple cider vinegar
can also helpful in increasing the acidity in the stomach. It should be mixed
in water 1 tablespoon to ¼ cup of water. This should also be taken before meals
containing protein. If this burns your stomach, then you most likely do not
have low stomach acid.
The Digestive System,
the Colon
The content of your
microbial colonies can contribute to your overall toxic load depending on to
the types of microbes inhabiting your digestive tract. The food you eat can help
or hurt your microbes leading to either a healthy microbiome or one that is
compromised by dysbiosis.
The reason dysbiosis is
more than just an upset stomach is due to the function of your microbiome. In
the case of a healthy microbiome, it acts in harmony to break down food,
produce vitamins, increase the absorption of minerals balance your intestinal
pH, produce short-chain fatty acids, and many other helpful functions.
If your healthy
microbes have been squeezed out by pathogens, not only will you be deprived of the
benefits a healthy microbiome produces, but you will experience the effects of
the endotoxins these intruders produce.
In addition to the obvious signs of
digestive distress such as diarrhea or constipation, there are less obvious
signs such as headaches, joint pain, and chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases,
among others. Antibiotic use, use of antacids, and low fiber diets all
contribute to dysbiosis.
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Eating fermented
foods and including prebiotic foods in your diet can help maintain a healthy
microbiome. Fermented foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut,
kombucha, kvass, wine and beer. (See Kimchi on pinterest) Prebiotics include asparagus, bananas, garlic,
honey, onions, and legumes.
If you have had
problems with H. pylori, SIBO, candida or chronic fungal infections, you will
benefit from prebiotic and probiotic foods but you will also need to some
additional help. You can start by removing sugar from diet, these bacteria
thrive on sugars. Consider an elimination diet, or another specialized diet
such as SCD, GAPS or the Body Ecology Diet.
Fresh garlic and peppermint oil
have been found to target pathogenic bacteria. Oregano oil, grapefruit seed
extract and thyme are also effective in treating dysbiosis.
The Digestive System,
the Liver
The liver is a vital
organ, if you suspect that your liver is not functioning properly this should
be checked by your physician. Any suggestions here are made for someone in good
health, not for someone with a potentially life-threatening illness.
There are three types
of remedies for a liver that is not functioning properly. They are cholagogues,
which stimulate bile flow, hepatics, which act to support liver function, and
hepatoprotectives, which act to protect the liver.
Dandelion is
particularly good for the liver. It is both a cholagogue and hepatic. This can
be eaten in a salad, or dried and drunk as a tea. While it is generally
recognized as safe, it should not be used by anyone with cholecystitis, or any
type of bile duct blockage, this includes gallstones. (See Dandelion Pesto on pinterest)
Beets are another
great food for supporting the liver. Beets are both hepatic and
hepatoprotective. Beets promote regeneration of liver cells, and they are
considered detoxifying. (See Beet Kvass)
Turmeric, milk
thistle, and barberry are also used to support the liver.
The Lymphatic System
It is not unusual for
the lymph nodes to become inflamed during the course of a cold or other virus. They
are part of your body’s immune response and can become enlarged when they are
working to clear an infection. Typically the swelling will subside after a few
days.
If you are very uncomfortable you can try drinking calendula tea, which
is anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. Echinacea has been used to assist in
both strengthening lymphatic function and drainage. If your lymph nodes remain swollen see your
physician.
Dry brushing has been
used for centuries in many cultures including Japan and ancient Greece. Though
a search yielded no scientific or scholarly papers to support the practice, it
has regained popularity in recent years. Deep tissue massage and rebounding are
also popular for maintaining a healthy lymphatic system.
The Excretory System,
the Urinary System
Increasing water
consumption is vital during the detoxification process, a minimum of two to
three quarts should be drunk. This will help to remove toxins from your body.
Parsley can be used
to flush the kidneys, it will increase urination. This should not be done by
anyone with kidney stones. Asparagus is
also a diuretic and it is soothing to the urinary tract. Yarrow and uva ursi
are also soothing diuretics that can be taken as herbal teas.
The Excretory System,
the Skin and Body Membranes
Skin needs to sweat
in order to purge toxins. This can be accomplished externally by using a sauna
or hot tub. Sweat can also be induced through exercise. Any type of activity
that raises your body temperature is beneficial.
Food can also cause the body
to perspire. Diaphoretics include many types of hot peppers, these can be used
fresh or dried. Ginger and peppermint
can also be used as diaphoretics, this will be most effective when drunk as a
hot tea.
Next week, I'll be posting a series on seasonal eating.
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