This modern life keeps us busy and always on the go, but once in a while it’s important to stop and make an effort to thank our body and detoxify.
Here are five easy ways to get started with your detox habits!
If Life Gives You Lemons …
We’ve all heard of the benefits of this citrus juice – from the Master Cleanse (that has been in vogue since the 40’s) to drinking lukewarm lemon juice at the beginning of the day – lemon is famous for its aid in digestion and its antiviral, antibiotic and antiseptic traits. But did you know that lemon peels are also incredible for detoxing at home? The oil in the lemon’s rind contains a powerful chemical agent called d-Limonene. This extract is known for having detoxifying characteristics that scavenge free radicals (i.e. lines & wrinkles!), increase liver enzymes and fight carcinogens.
We recommend mixing a few lemons (don’t forget the peel!), a bit of coconut oil and a touch of aloe vera into your blender to enjoy a delicious and naturally sweetened lemon water that will work hard to clean your insides will you continue your busy day!
Spice (and Herb) Up Your Life!
Apart from bringing out flavors and enticing our sense of taste and smell, spices and herbs are fantastic for detox habits! A few of our favorites would include:
- Cilantro: This pungent leaf can do way more than add some fun to your chicken salad! It’s a powerful antioxidant, but most importantly, it helps your body get rid of toxins such as mercury and fight the dangerous salmonella bacteria.
- Cinnamon: We all enjoy a cupcake or two, but one of the best ways to take advantage of this sweet spice’s qualities is to drink it. A mix of boiled water, organic honey & cinnamon in the morning works wonders on an empty stomach. Get ready to enjoy the anti-inflammatory, pro-circulatory benefits to help your body flush the toxins away!
- Dandelion: This flower has been used in Chinese and Native American tradition for centuries, given that it contains diuretics and it supports bile production, which helps transport toxins out of the body. Sip a cup of dandelion root tea and wait for the magical effects!
- Cayenne Pepper: A known circulatory stimulant, this little spice does wonders for our lymphatic and digestive systems as well. Its spiciness heats our body, making us sweat and streamlining the detox process. Combine it with the popular lemon and honey for a kick-start morning!
Juicy Cool-ture
Juicing detoxes are all the rage these days, and for good reason! Benefits include resting the stomach & liver, repairing the gut, and reducing your appetite. There’s a wide variety of juice trends, so when it comes to choosing your juice detox, make sure you’re flooding your body with super nutrition and the right amounts for your complexion. Whether you decide to go with a green smoothie cleanse or a more fruit-astic option, confirm that it’s balanced and really fills your caloric needs so you can enjoy rehydration, renewed energy and maximum detoxification.
Charcoal Is the New Black
When we found out what activated charcoal is, we couldn’t believe we’d gone without it for so long! This unique, odorless and tasteless form of carbon is treated to achieve highly porous properties, and is able to adsorb many chemicals and reduce their toxicity in their course through our body. You can find activated charcoal capsules at Walgreens, CVS or almost any pharmacy as a supplement. Its amazing detoxifying properties have many uses – from treating poison ingestion to water filters – but we came up with some fun DIY ideas:
- Goodbye Blackheads!
Take a few carbon capsules and empty them into a container. Add a bit of witch hazel (a natural astringent known to reduce puffiness and redness) a bit of aloe vera, and mix in with the charcoal to get a black liquid texture. Test it on a small portion of the skin on your wrist to see that you don’t have any adverse reactions. Distribute the mix evenly over your face, including the lips but avoiding your eyes, for 5-10 minutes, and then wash off with a warm wet towel to admire the glowing outcome!
- Teeth White-out!
This is as easy as dipping your toothbrush into the charcoal powder and brushing away! As we’ve said before, activated carbon traps the toxins and carries them with it, so if you regularly brush your teeth with it (once a week is more than enough) you will see color improvement on your pearly whites! Don’t freak out with the black foam, brush for 5 minutes, and rinse repeatedly to get the most out of this detoxifying cleanse!
Wrap & Rock!
If you have a little more time to spare, some hands on work by professionals is always the best way to go! A full-body wrap works wonders for your body, especially if it’s one tailored to detox. Here at MediSpa by Cosmed we have the best option! The Cosmed Signature Detox Wrap is a purifying, cleansing treatment that improves circulation and helps skin cells function with greater efficiency. It removes toxins and impurities, resetting your skin so it feels and looks healthier & balanced. The combination of healthy daily habits with professional care is the key to treat yourself like you should. Never underestimate the power of professional care when it comes to your skin!