This post is for informational purposes only.
Always consult with your doctor before starting any detox protocol or program.
Spring is a great time of year to complete a full body cleanse or detox protocol. As we emerge from Winter, a gentle detox helps us release extra toxins and heavy energies we may have accumulated during the hibernation months.
The goal of a detox is NOT to lose weight or completely clear your toxin burden.
A proper Spring detox is an intentional holistic strategy to ENHANCE our body's natural mechanisms that eliminate waste, detoxify toxins, and amplify our antioxidant and immune-protective processes.
I would also like to caution that you do not have to be extreme or strict to produce good results from a detox plan. In fact, simple and less is often better. The body already knows what it needs to do, and if you overmeddle, then you're giving off the vibes of the Micro-Manager we all dread at team meetings (cheers to Corporate Erin!).
Another BIG tip is to start a pre-detoxification (aka Pre-Tox) for 1 - 2 weeks before you begin your detox plan.
For more information on how to Pre-Tox, please first read this guide here.
Here are some guidelines for building your natural Spring Cleanse:
Detox Step 1:
Choose How Long You Want To Do Your Cleanse
After you complete your Pre-Tox, you are ready to shift into your full Spring detoxification protocol.
The duration of time you complete your cleanse is entirely up to you, but most detox plans vary anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks.
To avoid overstimulating your body, consider starting with 3 - 7 days and see how you feel. That may be all you need to feel great and experience good results.
Suppose you're quite seasoned in doing Spring cleanses. In that case, you may be advanced and well-suited to attempt multiple weeks, but always listen to your body to see what feels best, day-to-day, and I recommend working with your naturopathic or functional medicine doctor to supervise you and mitigate potential complications.
Detox Step 2:
Starting Your Detox
There are many ways to kick-start your detox, but one of my tried and true methods is to begin with a simple fast.
The two fasting options with a lot of good research and safety are:
24-Hour Water Fast: complete a full 24 hours without any food or beverages except high-quality Spring water or filtered water (Please never use distilled!). It's OK to add electrolyte drops (avoid powders with additives or sugars!) or a pinch of Himalayan salt to aid in proper hydration.
Fresh Organic Raw Veggie & Fruit Juice Fast: For 3 - 7 days, you drink only fresh, organic cold-pressed plant-based raw juices. A typical juice fast will usually include:
Green Veggie Juices (i.e. broccoli, leafy greens, celery, cucumber, etc.) in the morning (2 juices).
Roots & Fruits Juices (i.e. beets, carrots, berries, apples, ginger, etc.) in the afternoons and early evening (2 juices).
Fresh strained nut, seed, or grain unsweetened milks (no dairy or sugar!) in the evening to soothe hunger pangs if needed ( 1 -2 10 oz servings).
If the water and juice fast feel too challenging on your body and you're not tolerating it well, you may need to add more calories and nutrients by including the following:
Plant-based Smoothies or Protein Shakes (i.e. KaChava or Epic Protein are great options)
Hearty Vegetable & Bean Soups or Stews made in bone broth or veggie stock.
Other Cooked or Raw Fruits & Vegetables - Eat fresh plant-based foods to satisfy you! Opt for fresh berries, apples, oranges, kiwi, salads, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, steamed veggies, stewed fruits like stewed prunes, stewed pears, etc.
BIG Tips with Fasting:
REST & CONSERVE ENERGY! Prioritize getting 8 - 12 hours of sleep, napping when you feel like it, and enjoy the beauty of stillness. This is a great time to meditate & reflect.
Do not make the mistake of working 8-12 hours/day while fasting or eating a limited caloric intake. You may increase fatigue and put extra stress on the body.
Also, avoid strenuous work-outs. Opt for low-impact or yin-based exercise when detoxing such as light walks, yoga, stretching, etc.
Detox Step 3:
Support the Detox Pathways
This is the part where people tend to go overboard with taking 7 - 10 detox supplements thinking it's going to magically remove all their toxins. WRONG!
Again, keep it simple and avoid the money trap of buying a detox program with a bunch of supplements in it. It's better to take 1 -2 supplements that best match your detox goals.
For example, if you want to highlight gut and liver support, consider a supplement containing herbs that support both the liver and gut pathways. Or, you can take a detox-specific probiotic and liver-specific supplement formula.
Here is a list of Dr. Ray-approved pre-tox and detox supplements - CLICK HERE TO VIEW
(Note - you must already have a FullScript account with Dr. Ray to access)
There are other ways to support your pathways without taking any supplements at all.
Consider adding one or two of the following:
Chlorella & Lemon Juice Water Morning Flush - add a serving of chlorella to lemon water and drink first thing in the morning for liver support.
Detox Baths - add 3 -6 cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes or longer. Option to add favorite therapeutic-grade essential oils for aromatherapy and extra detox support.
Castor Oil Belly Packs - apply organic unrefined castor oil to your upper and lower belly, cover the area with a clean flannel cloth or thin towel, then apply a heating pad on your belly for 20 - 30 minutes. Complete at least three times a week for best effects. Castor oil packs help support the liver, gallbladder, and spleen and reduce internal inflammation.
Infrared Sauna Therapy - deep sweating is an excellent way to release stored toxins, microplastics, and heavy metals from the body. Aim for 2 -3 sessions a week for up to your tolerance level with heat and time. Click here for my beginner's guide to sauna therapy.
Detox Step 4:
Reintroducing Solid Foods & Sustaining a Nutrient-Dense Diet
As you transition from the fast, begin adding light foods at lunch and dinner such as soups, salads, and smoothies for a day or two. Then, add a little lean animal or marine-based proteins (if that feels good to you) to your meals in the days that follow.
Essentially, you'll return to the Pre-Tox diet you started with, but at this point, the foods should have better flavor and feel even more satisfying now that your taste palette had a reboot.
Here are some great Spring meals you may enjoy adding to your diet (courtesy of FitOn):
Click each link to view