Spring Cleansing

Written by Sharyn Wynters

Spring, (March through May in the Northern Hemisphere), celebrates rebirth. It is also Mother Nature’s detox season. The plant kingdom in the Spring is loaded with sprouts, greens and berries that support the cleansing process. These pungent, bitter and astringent foods help us to naturally expel the excess fats and proteins that build up during winter months. Our regular exposure to environmental toxins makes it even more important to follow the flow of the seasons. Each Spring brings a new opportunity for internal cleansing and renewal--especially if you suffer from headaches, indigestion, constipation, acne, bad breath, disturbed sleep, PMS or sluggishness. A spring detox could be just the thing you need.

How to support Spring Cleansing

Diet

  • Include the chlorophyll-rich, bitter, cleansing greens. Kale, collards, nettles, dandelion greens, mustard greens, parsley, and turnip greens have a bitter and/or astringent taste. They make your cells pucker just like they do your mouth. This stimulates the action of squeezing at a cellular level to remove toxins. Chlorophyll oxygenates and alkalizes the blood. Greens detox lymph, blood and fat cells.
  • Add lemons and limes  These sour fruits stimulate the release of enzymes; they help convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body. Lemons and limes also cleanse your liver. Add a slice of lemon/lime to a glass of water first thing in the morning.
  • Add sprouts and certain spices  Sprouts are an extremely potent phase of plant growth. They are dozens of times more nutritious than the adult plant. They help build tissue and contribute to sustained energy levels. Spices such as turmeric, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon and fennel improve circulation. They stimulate the release of toxins both in the digestive tract and on a cellular level. These spices detoxify your lymph, blood, kidneys and bowels.
  • Eat Spring berries and sweet fruits  Fruits contain lots of fiber. Apples, are particularly high in pectin which serves as an intestinal broom to clear out toxins.
  • Eat lots of vegetables – and stay away from sugar, caffeine, and processed foods during cleansing.

Exercise
Any form of movement or stretching is good—especially in the Spring with a cleansing program.  It encourages deep breathing and helps to keep everything moving as you release toxins.  Make sure to go for brisk walks, a swim, a bike ride or other form of exercise.  If you own a rebounder, 10 minutes a day will go a long way to supporting your Spring cleanse.

Sauna or Sweat Therapy
If you have access to a sauna or steam room, use it this Spring.  Sweating is one of the best ways to eliminate the toxins you release – through the skin.  Or take a series of hot baths with a half cup of baking soda and/or other salts of your choice. Natural salts (not table salt) help to draw and hold toxins so they are not re-introduced back into the body.

Water
Nothing supports your body’s cleansing and elimination like water. Water hydrates the blood and the lymph so that toxins can move rapidly through the detoxification pathways. Water is also a major component of the processes that take place in the liver and kidneys to neutralize and break down toxic compounds. And water is obviously important during the final stage of elimination, lubricating the intestines and providing the basis of urine. Always drink more water during detoxification.

Massage
Do you have a favorite massage therapist?  Have a massage this Spring.  There is nothing better to cleanse the body’s tissues and get things moving than a good massage to open energetic channels for the release of toxins. Skin brushing is something similar you can do at home to stimulate the movement of toxins.  Gently brush your skin before a shower by making little circles beginning at the extremities and working toward your torso.  Use a natural skin brush; it needn’t take more than 2-3 minutes.

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Sharyn Wynters is a naturopath and author of the book, The Pure Cure: A Guide to Freeing Your Life from Dangerous Toxins. The book includes an entire chapter on cleansing.

When you purchase a copy of Sharyn's book by clicking the link below, a portion of the proceeds benefit Cancer Schmancer.