6 Ways to Detox Your Body Naturally

Dry Skin Brushing

Not a morning person? You will be once you add dry skin brushing to your a.m. routine.

“When the lymphatic system becomes congested, there is a buildup of toxic waste in the body, which promotes inflammation and disease,” says holistic nutritionist Kristen Ragno. That’s where dry skin brushing comes in; it’s a natural detox. “It helps to stimulate the lymphatic system,” she says.

Let’s not forget the added benefit of beautiful, glowing skin.

“Dry skin brushing also increases circulation to our largest detox organ (the skin) and removes dead skin cells,” says Ragno.

Using a soft, natural-bristle brush (such as this one, or this one), rub your skin in a circular motion, starting from your feet and moving upwards, towards your heart.

Add this natural detox tip to your morning routine and you’ll start feeling detoxifying benefits such as boosted energy levels and smoother skin.

Epsom Salts

You might already end your day with a relaxing soak in the tub, but you can up the natural detox factor by adding Epsom salts to your bath.

“Epsom salts are hydrated magnesium sulfate,” says Ragno. “Magnesium is an important mineral for relaxation and stress reduction and can improve sleep.”

More sleep also helps your body detox.

“When we are sleeping better and less stressed, all of our body’s systems work better, including our ability to naturally detox,” says Ragno.

She recommends adding two cups of Epsom salts to your bath and soaking for 15 to 30 minutes. We won’t argue with that!

Drink Lemon Water

Besides being a zesty, refreshing start to your day, lemon water has some natural detox perks as well.

Lemon water “can help stimulate the digestive process, including bile production, which aids the liver in removing waste products,” says Ragno.

In other words, if you suffer from constipation, drinking lemon water can help move things along.

Ragno recommends drinking the juice of half a lemon to one full lemon in a glass of warm, filtered water first thing in the morning.

Herbal Tea

While water is the perfect go-to for sipping all day, herbal teas are great aids for detoxing.

“Stay hydrated to help flush out toxins,” says Ragno. “Try incorporating herbal teas that support liver and blood cleansing, such as dandelion root, milk thistle, burdock root, red clover and nettle.”

Good thing fall and winter are the perfect seasons for curling up with a hot mug of tea!

Eat Your Greens

The health benefits of veggies and fruit are numerous, and helping your body naturally detox is one of them.

“Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily to ensure adequate antioxidant and fibre levels to neutralize toxins and eliminate them in a timely manner,” says Ragno.

For breakfast, whip up a green smoothie to sneak more veggies into your morning. At lunch, fill up on salad you’ll actually want to eat. And don’t forget dessert. You can sneak veggies into pretty much any treat (beet brownies, anyone?).

Breathe Deeply

Yes, breathing is one thing we all do every day, but consciously focusing on our breath might not be.

“Deep breathing increases your oxygen levels and helps to remove waste from the blood,” says Ragno. “It also acts as a pump for the lymphatic system, enhancing its ability to eliminate toxins.”

That’s a pretty good reason to make sure we’re breathing the right way.

If you’re struggling with deep breathing, try adding another detoxifying activity to your routine: yoga.  Proper breathing is an essential aspect of any yoga practice. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling the zen affects of detoxifying breath.

Related:
• 5 Detox Diets that are Worth Doing
• 5 Herbs with Natural Detox Benefits
• Trying a Juice Cleanse