The energy of spring inspires us to detoxify our bodies & uplift our energy with ancient herbs. Read on as we share our tips for a balanced and easeful seasonal cleanse.
Springtime brings the magical element of renewal as the dense restorative energy of the winter months fade. And with this nature-inspired change our bodies innately call for lighter foods, social connections & more fluid movement in our day.
We use the energy of spring to purify our bodies & uplift our energy with ancient herbs. Our chosen, in-house blend to do so, is Alkalize. Naomi Nash, our knowledgeable and intrepid herbalist, initially made this blend for herself. She wanted “a clean, nutrient dense greens powder that dissolves well in all liquids, and most importantly tasted neutral, and pleasant just mixed into water with nothing added for flavor.” Alkalize answers this call.
Naomi and our team suggest this blend as a go-to for increasing nutrient and antioxidant intake, gently promoting the body's natural detoxification pathways, as well as being a healthy counterbalance to the side effects of stress, alcohol, sugar, processed foods; all of life's naughties.
Alkalize draws its superpowers from Spirulina, Wheatgrass powder, Alfalfa grass powder, and Chlorella. It tastes great in water, or added to a smoothie, and makes the perfect companion to your morning, or afternoon to alleviate any 3-4pm energy slumps.
Whatever the season, our herbs for nurturing your detoxification pathways are:
The Milk Thistle (silybum marianum) plant has long been revered for its ability to boost liver detoxification. It contains a compound called silymarin, which helps to regenerate and protect liver cells from damage. We suggest adding these capsules first, or last thing, to your day, to open the natural detoxification pathways. As well just before bed after a night out, you will feel much better when you wake in the morning!
Dandelion is a gentle yet encouraging tonic for flushing and nurturing your liver. Its leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals, while its roots support liver function, helping to flush out toxins that have accumulated over time. Add dandelion greens to your salads or swap your morning coffee for dandelion root tea to kickstart your day. Roasted Dandelion root tea is a great herbal tea to support the body's natural "peristalsis" , the natural rhythmic contractions of the intestines, therefore helping to stimulate the bowels naturally and gently without being forceful.
As the name suggests, the flavorless black powder that is charcoal, when taken with water, has the ability to trap toxins and chemicals in the gut, and prevent their absorption into the bloodstream. It acts like a magnet to draw nasties to it, and then binds and eliminates them through the waste system(the intestines). It’s your best friend when traveling to foreign countries, and after a heavy meal as it can eliminate gas quite quickly, and gracefully.
Schisandra berries have an abundance of antioxidants to combat oxidative stress spurred on by free radicals, and often referred to as the 5 flavors cleansing berry. They do wonders for the liver; both protecting and supporting detoxification pathways as well as improving mental focus and cognitive function. They’re also a superfruit to add to your list.
Chia seeds are tiny powerhouses of nutrition that support both detoxification and digestion. They’re packed with fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which in turn motivates regularity of bowel movements to flush toxins from your body. They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation while protecting the system from cellular damage by neutralizing free radicals. We love chia as an egg replacement for vegan meals and as a breakfast pudding when soaked overnight.
Safe Cleansing Detox Tips
A seasonal cleanse can be easy to embrace and also a joyful process. Here are our tips to make it a balanced and easeful experience:
- Eat Mindfully
Embrace the practice of mindful eating by taking a moment to be aware of the nutrients you are offering your body, before you eat them. Try to savor each bite, and become aware of the flavors, textures, and sensations of the food you chew. (Chewing your food until it's soup in your mouth is the aim of the game for best digestion and absorption.) Remember to breathe in between forkfuls. This will aid in digesting your food and alert you when you are full. Choose foods from the color of the rainbow; with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins into your diet to nourish your body from the inside out.
- Stay Hydrated
Ensure you’re drinking plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day to flush toxins from the system. This also helps maintain healthy digestion. We like to enhance our water with lemon, cucumber, berries, mint and ginger for additional detoxifying benefits, and for flavor! You can also use herbal teas to stay hydrated and support the flush.
- Movement & Exercise
One of the best ways to introduce movement to your internal system is to incorporate exercise into your morning. Regular physical activity helps to stimulate circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, and motivate elimination of toxins from your body. It also releases endorphins to help you feel less fatigued as your body is releasing what no longer works for you. The key to regular exercise is to make it enjoyable, so that it becomes effortless.. We enjoy a balance of yoga, walking in nature, cardio activity and gentle yin-like flowing movement mediations like Tai Chi.
- Breathwork & Meditation
It’s important to nurture your mood on a cleanse, to assist with emotional fluctuations that may arise. When the body releases toxins, it can be simultaneously inspired to release energy stored in the body, which can result in imbalanced moods and emotions. Coming back to the breath, with a regular practice, to play observer of what is arising in your body, is one way to keep your inner calm throughout the process. Breathwork also helps the body to eliminate toxins and excess weight, through the breath. Yet we enjoy these practices more for the mind.
- Digital Detox
Unplugging from our online life is a modern, and vital, addition to a cleanse. Not only to reduce blue light exposure, electromagnetic waves and radiation, but to limit interruption. Switching your phone off invites your nervous system to rest. To let go and find a sense of peace. If you cannot switch your digital life off entirely, try to limit your screen time before bed and establish boundaries around your use of electronic devices. Time in nature dances opposite to digital overload, and the practice of earthing works wonders for all systems of your body. Next time you feel stressed. Place your barefeet into the earth, and breathe into the present moment.
- Choose Clean Or Organic Personal Care
Toxins are rife in non-organic skincare, haircare, perfumes, intimates and deodorants. Nourish all aspects of your body; inside and out. We are advocates for ditching all unnecessary toxins, parabens, sulfates and chemicals, by reaching for products that are natural, clean, or organic. Your skin, and system, will love you for it. Add a dry body brush to your routine to introduce lymphatic drainage and to deeply exfoliate toxins sitting under the surface of the skin. Warm oil body massages are also a way to honor the journey you are on, with a love-filled nourishing body practice each day after brushing and cleansing.
- Reflect, Release & Sit with Gratitude
As you release old toxins you are making space in your body for wellness. This is a lovely visualization to focus on. It helps to nurture your emotions, as you may feel quite tender as you release energy from your system, and your field. We suggest taking the observer point of view; trying not to attach to a particular emotion. But instead allowing what needs to flow through your system to release. Expressing what arises for you by the practice of journaling is a beautiful way to express thoughts, feelings, and intentions that are locked within. Creating spaciousness within is a blank slate for creating a new chapter in your life.
We begin and end the day, and journey with gratitude for, and suggest bringing it into your day as a morning ritual as you embark on a new path. Gratitude is deeply healing for the body, the nervous system and it also signals to the universe that you are prepared for greater abundance. You might also wish to use this as a tool to visualize what you wish to bring into being as you release the old.
Our greatest piece of advice is to trust the process of cleansing, cultivate deep patience and respect for yourself, and enjoy the unfolding of a newer, and revitalized version of you.
Visit us in-store if you are seeking inspiration, support and tools for your detoxification journey.
We are with you!
With love and vitality,
The Twisted Thistle team