Have you ever felt like you just needed to let go of extra toxins? I’ve been feeling ill the past several days, although grateful to God to still be functioning. So, I thought maybe a day of cleansing would be beneficial. Plus, there were a couple of detoxing ideas floating around the blogosphere yet to try. Truly appreciate the use of alternative and conventional medicine, with most of our habits focusing on prevention. More on that another time.
I’ll be the first to admit that the effectiveness of many practices in detox are more or less speculation. But, even if the positive result is from a placebo, feeling better IS better. That’s my soapbox, and I’m stickin’ to it. *Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional; see your doctor for concerns and professional care.* So here’s what I did:
Detox Bath: Yes, it’s some weird stuff. This bath recipe from Beauty Bets blog claimed to help cure the cold. For me, it was definitely worth a shot! First, you run a hot bath and add three pints of peroxide and two ounces of ground ginger, from which the water got its lovely color. The peroxide is supposed to rid germs, and the ginger increases circulation. And, you sit in the bath for 30 minutes. How do I feel that it worked? I DID feel better afterward, even more so than a typical bath. While bathing, instead of getting cooler as the water cooled, I kept getting warmer. And that feeling lasted for about an hour longer. So, as Beauty Bets pointed out, it’s a good idea to hydrate yourself during and after. Expect to sweat. I feel like I would have reaped more benefit by staying in the bath for a full hour. Read the original blogger’s post and get more info http://www.beautybets.com/2011/03/natural-cold-remedy-bath-soak/.
Detox Tea: I enjoy a goooood hot tea. Regularly. And, this one from Arbonne is nice for its purpose. It’s a mild herbal blend and includes a bit of mint. I previously used this one daily (as you clearly should, though I haven’t been faithful lately). When used as directed, and without being too graphic, let’s say…you’ll notice a healthier function of your digestive tract. Arbonne consultant friend Shannon Lyvers adds, “Detoxing your system will help one lose weight because our fat stores are often how our body sequesters toxins to protect the rest of our cells. Detoxing gives your body the green light to liquify the now cleaned fat stores so they can be melted/flushed/worked off.” To purchase, check out www.arbonne.com, and use consultant #19456300.
I love coconut oil for everything…body, hair, and now teeth. Who knew?
Oil Pulling: Here’s the strangest practice yet. Yep. Instructions say to swish your mouth for 20 minutes or so using oil, preferably coconut (which is antibacterial) or another “healthy” type of oil. The claims of daily oil pullers vary from whiter teeth to less arthritis and, of course, preventing oral dilemmas, since toxins are pulled from your mouth. Weird but simple, right? I can do this. Except that it’s gross and requires use of weak facial muscles. So, it took me three different starts and a shorter length of time to get the job done. As a preventative health measure, though, I’ll keep it up for a while and see how it goes. Read here for more info: http://simplehomemade.net/my-attempt-at-this-crazy-thing-called-oil-pulling-does-it-really-make-a-difference/
24 Hour Fast: For spiritual reasons, I try to fast once a week. Won’t say it’s fun. You can expect fatigue and headache. And, I struggle to articulate what it does for me emotionally, but it’s certainly worthwhile. For the issue of detoxing: during times when your body doesn’t have to digest food, it’s able to purge other impurities.
This face isn’t painted for Halloween, but…dual purpose???
Side note: Am I smiling because my skin is being renewed or my husband is vacuuming behind me? Both!
Facial Mask: Nothing says self-pampering like an at-home mask. And, it’s wonderful for detoxifying. Here, I’m trying Mary Kay Botanical Effects Mask for normal skin. It contains silymarin (milk thistle), an antioxidant that helps defend against environmental damage while helping to calm and soothe skin, and luo han guo, the “longevity fruit.” Gentle exfoliators leave skin glowy. To purchase, click my direct link: http://www.marykay.com/jonesythompson/en-US/_layouts/MaryKayCoreCatalog/CategoryPage.aspx?dsNav=N:10708
The Results!: I didn’t do cartwheels out of the bed the following morning, but I did certainly feel better. Results are so personally subjective, and here’s how I interpreted it: The Detox Tea and oil pulling are worth trying as lifestyle changes. They need to be used consistently over time to see the reward. Fasting is very personal, and participants need to accept the “no pain, no gain” attitude. Two results I count on…stomach size shrinks, requiring less food to fill you up when you break the fast, which is good for weight loss; and skin tone improves–undereye circles lighten and less overall facial redness. My indulgent, instant gratification-seeking side enjoys the mask, which made my skin look even better than fasting alone; and the detox bath, which seems to do what it claims and is super-relaxing. Blessings for your own detox!
