Spring Cleaning - Our Bodies, Our Selves

When we think spring, we think cleaning. Cleaning house, getting rid of accumulated junk, putting away our winter paraphernalia and coming out into the sunshine. It is also a time to cleanse ourselves – our bodies, our minds, and even our spirit.

Physically, it’s time to climb out of hibernation, and dust off those cobwebs of toxins that have accumulated over the recent winter season. I’m sure many of us succumbed somewhat to the sugar, processed food and high-fat goodies over the holidays, or like me, lounging by the fireplace breathing in dry air while being housebound during the recent snow storm in my part of the world.

After our winter hibernation, it is important to do some sort of cleanse – starting with the liver and the colon. The liver is the second largest organ in the body and is responsible for filtering and detoxifying the blood. The colour green and the spring season are also associated with the liver, according to Chinese Medicine philosophy. Green is associated with energy and being alive, and spring is a time of being active. But over time the liver becomes taxed due to our stressful lifestyles, intake of processed, refined foods, sugar, caffeine, additives and preservatives, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues that we absorb and retain. The colon functions to expel toxins and wastes that are collected from other organs, including the liver. Like the liver, if the colon retains toxins and waste material, then it can recycle the waste back into the body, putting enormous burdens on other organs, forcing them to work harder to process out toxins.

An overburdened liver and poorly functioning colon to can lead to unexplained rapid weight gain or loss, chronic fatigue, chronic indigestion, diarrhea and constipation, anemia, depression, dull skin or rashes, poor digestion, hormonal imbalances, and impaired immune and circulatory function. Detoxifying the liver, as well the blood, kidneys and intestines is a good first step in releasing all those accumulated toxins.

So what specifically can one do to detox?
Pertaining to the liver, cleansing herbs such milk thistle, dandelion root, stinging nettle are all good choices. Milk thistle especially contains an active ingredient called Silymarin which promotes detoxification, and can be taken in liquid or capsule form. Increase your consumption of green foods, especially kale, spinach, mung bean, alfalfa and chlorophyll, as well as eliminating refined and processed foods, such as sugar, alcohol, and white flour products from the diet is vital.

If you have heard about colon cleansing or hydrotherapy, but didn’t know where to start, now’s the time. Colon hydrotherapy is a gentle flushing of accumulated wastes and toxins from the large intestine. In my clinic, I recommend a course of colon irrigation treatments, approximately 12 sessions, every six months. Detox programs include diet and lifestyle modification, homeopathic treatment and often acupuncture as adjuncts to the colon cleansing series.

So what are you waiting for? Spring cleansing time is here. Start your path today to boosted energy levels, improved immune function, and more vitality and well-being. Your mind, body and spirit will thank you for it.

By Olena Gill