Time-honored medical systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have long recognized that seasonal changes can influence physical health. These ancient systems offer sophisticated, seasonal-specific recommendations that can help us thrive within our environments — particularly important in today’s modern world. By emphasizing certain foods, botanicals and health practices, we can re-connect ourselves with nature’s transitions and nurture long-term wellness.
The shift from winter to spring offers an ideal opportunity to align with the seasons, and clear accumulated toxins from the body. Toxic buildup in organs and tissues can be traced back to numerous sources and causes, including overindulgence of processed foods, sluggish digestion, lack of exercise, winter dehydration, seasonal colds and flus, our metabolic processes and of course, environmental toxins. A gentle, nourishing spring cleanse allows us to reset our body’s natural detoxification processes, and reboot our energy, immunity and overall vitality. The process can be as short as three days, up to a month or longer; but most people do well with a gentle 10-14 day program.
Benefits of a Spring Cleanse
According to TCM, spring corresponds to the liver and the gall bladder. A gentle cleanse, emphasizing unprocessed foods, targeted herbs and supplements, and regular physical activity, can enhance numerous area of health. Particular benefits include support for the liver’s detoxification mechanisms, elimination of toxins from organs and tissues, support for the digestive system and metabolism, hormone balance and circulatory support. These benefits can offer greater energy, immunity and vitality, balanced moods, sounder sleep and more.
A nourishing, anti-inflammatory diet is the foundation for a successful detox and cleanse program. Here are some essential tips to remember:
Eat fresh, organic, unprocessed (whole) foods, with an emphasis on green vegetables. Vegetables may be juiced, eaten raw, steamed or sautéed in liquid.
Limit animal protein as much as possible, particularly dairy, and choose organic and hormone-free meats and products.
Choose alkalizing foods since they can help counteract the tendency to become more acidic during cold weather, and promote oxygenation and detoxification. Greens and cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, avocado, lemons and seaweeds are all examples of alkalizing foods.
Soak and sprout grains and legumes before cooking. This process increases their nutritional content, reduces digestive upset and supports greater detoxification.
Consume plenty of pure water and herbal teas, along with low sodium vegetable soups or broths.
Add fiber (such as flax or chia seeds, psyllium, rice bran, etc.) to your diet to support regular elimination that flushes toxins out of the digestive tract.
Avoid foods that place oxidative stress on the body and cause inflammation, such as alcohol, sugars, processed foods, cooked oils, caffeinated beverages and non-organic foods.
Spring Cleanse Supplements
A number of herbal and nutritional supplements can support detoxification during a cleanse, and also offer year-round support for overall health and vitality:
PectaClear® Environmental Toxin Cleanse: This researched environmental toxin removal formula includes PectaSol-C® Modified Citrus Pectin, and alginates from seaweed, to gently remove heavy metals and environmental toxins from the digestive tract and circulation.*
ecoDetox™ Total Body Detox: This advanced detox formula contains targeted herbs, antioxidants and nutrients to support the body’s natural detoxification processes, remove toxins from organs and tissues, combat free radicals, promote vital energy, and deliver in-depth detoxification support at the cellular and genetic levels.*
Integrative Digestive Formula®: This comprehensive, non-habit-forming digestive formula helps to rebalance and rebuild long-term digestive health, and also alleviates occasional digestive upset, nausea, gas and bloating. With a blend of Traditional Chinese herbs, medicinal mushrooms, nutrients and enzymes, this unique digestive supplement is an excellent choice during a cleanse, to enhance nutrient absorption and detoxification.*
Probiotic formula: A high quality probiotic supplement is an important part of cleanse, to reintroduce healthy probiotic flora to the digestive tract. Probiotics can boost immunity, improve mood, enhance nutrient assimilation and support overall health through a number of mechanisms that researchers are only just beginning to uncover.
Powdered greens: A mix of powdered greens including spirulina and microalgae, sea vegetables, wheat grass, kale, broccoli sprouts and other powerhouse green foods can support optimal nutrition and detoxification during a cleanse and year-round. Look for a formula with organic ingredients.
An Uplifting Experience
The benefits of a gentle spring cleanse can extend far beyond the physical elimination of toxins, offering greater mental clarity and emotional balance, metabolic efficiency and increased vital energy, as well as greater strength, flexibility and stamina.
Maximize the benefits of your cleanse by taking some time each day to engage in physical activity, to enhance circulation and promote sweating as a detoxification route. It’s also important to take time to rest, meditate and reflect, stretch or do yoga poses, take a walk in nature, and let yourself relax more deeply. This type of proactive self-care can offer positive transformation on multiple levels, the way the coldness and inactivity of winter gradually give way to new growth, warmth and energy in the spring.
A seasonal spring cleanse should be a gentle, life-supporting experience, so relax, enjoy and renew!