Naturopathic Cleansing Techniques

How can the body be supported when there is an increased level of elimination?

Impaired elimination is often a sign of imbalanced health, which triggers additional signs and symptoms of dis-ease. Naturopathic cleansing techniques like skin brushing and massage improves movement within the body and helps to eliminate wastes and toxicity. It is important to understand that in a healthy body, the elimination pathways are able to cope with the toxic load generated in normal body functioning. In an imbalanced body, elimination weakens, which results in a build up of wastes and toxicity.

Signs of toxicity include:

Aches and pains
Poor energy
Headaches
Fever
Runny nose, seneezing and mucous congestion in the thoat
Sweating
Rashes, acne and skin irritation
Increased urination
Constipation/loose bowel movements and so on

Natural nutrition helps to improve the movement of nutrients and waste released from the body cells. This stimulates the release of cellular toxicity and wastes resulting in an increased level of elimination. As functioning and energy levels improve, the body is then able to process any stored toxicity held in body fat, muscles, joints etc. The release and processing of stored toxicity adds to the overall elimination load within the body.

Therapeutic treatment should be done in a manner which does not create large levels of toxin or waste release at any one time. A large offload of cell toxicity will result in a burden for the body to cope with and possibly a worsening state of health.

The body is best supported by following dietary suggestions whilst using appropriate naturopathic cleansing techniques. This will help the body to release, process and eliminate manageable amounts of toxins and wastes without becoming overloaded.

The following table outlines some of the naturopathic techniques which may be used alongside natural nutrition. These techniques help to support elimination and release stored toxicity.

Technique	Part of Body it targets	Benefits
Skin Brushing: A natural bristle brush preferably with a handle is ideal for skin brushing. Skin brush dry skin. The movement of brushing should be from feet to heart, and from neck down to heart. This will encourage lymph flow. Use a firm bristle brush on dry skin. Apply pressure which is comfortable & gradually increase pressure when you are more used to it. Starting with right foot, brush soles of both feet Brush up from each foot to the top of legs Brush from buttocks up as far as you can go on the back Brush from lower abdomen up to the heart Brush from hands up to the shoulders and then down to the heart Brush from neck down to heart	Lymphatic system Skin	Removes outer layer of skin (contains toxins), leaving a newer layer for toxin release Stimulates movement in the lymphatic system Good to use when there is limited mobility. Helps release retained fluid When combined with the nutritional program skin brushing helps to reduce cellulite Do not use brush on damaged skin or over varicose veins
Lymphatic Massage: Using vegetable oil, gently stroke in one direction only from the feet upwards towards the heart and from the face downward to the heart	Lymphatic system Blood Skin	Stimulates movement in the lymphatic and blood system Good to use when there is limited mobility. Helps release retained fluid When combined with the nutritional program, lymphatic massage helps to reduce cellulite.
Hot and Cold Showers: Work in temperature ranges which are comfortable to begin with. After showering increase temperature until it is bearably hot and spray all over the body. Turn down temperature until it is bearably cold and spray over body. Repeat this process 3 times finishing on cold	Lymphatic system Blood Skin	Stimulates movement within the circulatory system which in turn stimulates the lymphatic system. Heat stimulates blood vessels to expand & skin pores to open whereas cold stimulates blood vessels to contract & skin pores to close Beneficial to do in the morning & after skin brushing
Hot and Cold Bath: Involves soaking a hot bath for around 20 minutes & then slowly adding cool water to the hot water until it has cooled down. Work within temperature ranges which are comfortable. It is helpful to wrap the head in a cool damp towel to avoid feeling light headed. Hot/Cold Footbath: The hot/cold bath may be adapted in the form of a hot/cold footbath, which is a gentler technique	Lymphatic system Blood Skin	Heat Stimulates lymph to become more fluid, which promotes movement of toxins. Helps to open up congested cellular membranes Helps to open skin pores & expands blood vessels. Cold Stimulates blood vessels to contract & skin pores to close Produces latent heat, from deep within the body to counteract the coldness.
Epsom Salt bath: Dissolve 1kg of Epsom salts in a bath filled with water which is hot enough to comfortably bear. It may be helpful to wrap the head in a cool damp towel to avoid feeling light headed. Lay in the bath for as long as it is comfortable to bear (up to 20 minutes). After 20 minutes, bring down the temperature of the bath by adding cold water until the bath temperature has cooled down. Pat body dry and hydrate by drinking some water	Lymphatic system Blood Skin	Bathing in a high solution of Epsom salts will help to draw out toxicity/acidity through the skin The heat of the bath water will help to open up cellular membranes, thins lymphatic fluid and encourages blood to come up to the surface of the skin Helps to relieve muscle tightness Encourages sweating Do not use if you have high blood pressure, are pregnant or the body is already eliminating toxicity (menstruation, fever etc)
Epsom Salt footbath: Dissolve half a mug of Epsom salts in water which is hot enough to comfortably bear. Soak feet for as long it is comfortable to bear (up to 20 minutes). Bring down the temperature of the foot bath until it is cool. Pat feet dry and hydrate by drinking some water	Lymphatic system Blood Skin	A slower and gentler technique than the full Epsom salt body bath Good to use when there are issues with mobility Helps to relieve muscle tightness and assists the body to release toxicity Encourages sweating
Castor Oil Liver Pack: Fold a piece of unbleached cotton so that it is 2-3 thickness & large enough to cover liver area (see picture). Add enough castor oil to the packing cloth so that it is saturated but not dripping & lay below the chest right down to the lower right rib. Cover the pack with an old towel and use a cotton belt to secure. Apply gentle heat to the area being packed using a warm water bottle for at least one hour. Pack may be re-used (20-30x)	Liver	In any detoxification plan the liver should be castor oil packed first as it is the primary detoxification organ. Stimulates lymphatic and blood flow in the liver, which in turn assists the movement of nutrients and wastes in the liver. At an energetic level, it is believed that castor oil contains the full spectrum of sunlight which can be absorbed through the skin pack Packing the liver can also help to relieve menstrual pain, headaches, anger This treatment may be followed by an alkaline skin compress
Other Castor Oil Packs: Apply castor oil to the packing cloth until it is saturated but not dripping. Lay this cloth over the area to be packed & cover with an old towel or a bandage If packing the abdominal area use a cotton belt to secure pack otherwise if a wrist or knee joint is being packed, secure pack with a bandage.	May be used to target key organs like: kidneys, adrenals, lungs, thyroid pancreas Small/large intestines	Other areas of the body may be packed using castor oil Stimulates blood flow in area being packed, which in turn assists the movement of nutrients and wastes etc in the area being packed. Supplies sunlight energy held within castor oil to area being packed Helps to relieve aches & pains. This treatment may be followed by an alkaline skin compress
Alkaline Skin Compress: It is beneficial to use an alkaline skin compress on an area which has been previously packed by castor oil. Castor oil packing stimulates circulation and movement helping the cells to release toxicity. An alkaline pack will help to draw this toxicity out. A suitable alkaline fluid like bicarbonate of soda solution is used to soak a cotton skin pack & is placed over a specific part of the body. The alkaline solution helps to draw toxicity and acidity out through the skin.	Skin, circulation, lymph and targeted body organs	Draws out Toxicity from the skin Useful to do after castor oil packing which stimulates movement. Suitable alkaline skin packing solutions made with 1-4 tablespoons to 1 cup of water: Bicarbonate of soda Sea Weed teas such as kelp tea Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt Epsom salt Dead sea salt
Alkaline Skin Rub: A suitable alkaline fluid is applied to the skin and rubbed in until skin is dry. The rubbing action helps to draw acidic toxicity from the area rubbed out through the skin. Skin rubbing may be used after packing an area of the body by castor oil. Castor oil packing stimulates circulation and movement helping the cells to release toxicity. An alkaline skin rub will help to draw this toxicity out.	Skin, circulation, lymph	Draws out Toxicity from the skin Useful to do after skin brushing which clears outer layer of skin & stimulates circulation/lymph flow & before shower Do not rub damaged or infected areas of skin. Suitable skin rubbing solutions made with 1-4 tablespoon to 1 cup of water include: Bicarbonate of soda Sea Weed tea such as kelp tea Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt Epsom salt or Dead Sea salt
Enemas: Requires an enema kit, suitable lubrication such as a pure vegetable oil like coconut oil and 1-2 litres of a chosen fluid at body temperature. Always clean enema kit before/after each use Fill the enema bag and hang so that it is above your head by 3-4 feet. Let any air out by opening the tap to release any air bubbles. Close tap Get in to a comfortable position: on your side, back or crouching Lubricate anus with a suitable vegetable oil & insert the enema nozzle. Open tap & allow the fluid to enter Hold onto the fluid for up to 15 minutes before releasing. Otherwise release earlier if you are feeling a strong urge. Suitable enema fluids include Body temperature filtered water Organic filtered coffee – stimulates liver cleansing Linseed tea – soothing & hydrating	Colon and colonic reflex points Enema Kit Components: A=Enema bag B=Tap C=Nozzle (vaginal) D=Nozzle (anal) E= Tubing	Enemas create movement within the colon helping to clear congestion Enemas help to tone the muscles of the colon and stimulate reflex points, which in turn affect other parts of the body. The effect of the enema depends on how long the enema fluid is retained and the therapeutic effect of the enema fluid. Body temperature filtered water enema – cleansing, hydrating, helps to clear stagnant faeces & mucous. Should always be done to clear the bowels before using other enema fluids. Linseed tea enema – hydrating, soothing & helps to reduce inflammation Organic filtered coffee enema – stimulates the liver to release toxic bile instead of re-absorbing it. This is a good technique when the liver is becoming overloaded with toxicity. Rehydrate by drinking afterwards. Certain enemas like the coffee enema can be dehydrating if overdone. Do not use enemas if there is a prolapsed organ in the pelvic area, if there are haemorrhoids or when blood sugar is low.
Oil Pulling: Take a dessert spoon of cold pressed sunflower oil, sesame oil or coconut oil into the mouth. Do not swallow the oil but swish it around and gradually mix it with your saliva. Continue this process for around 15 minutes and then spit this mixture out and rinse your mouth. If done correctly the mixture should be white when it has been spit out. It is good to do this technique in the morning after brushing teeth but before eating breakfast	Lymph and the reflex points in the mouth	The oil helps to draws out toxicity through the saliva Stimulates reflex points within the mouth which connect to the rest of the body Helps to remove stains from the teeth Strengthens gums/teeth Helps to reduce bad breath Avoid using oils which you have a known allergy to.

Safety

Techniques are simple yet powerful and are most useful when incorporated into the treatment plan. Naturopathic cleansing techniques can help to release toxicity especially when it becomes stagnant within the body. It is therefore important to tune into the body and support this process.

Avoid detoxification by these techniques if you have a fever or feel unwell. A fever naturally stimulates elimination and detoxification and releasing further toxicity by detoxification techniques may be too much for the body to cope with.
If you are pregnant it is important to be extremely gentle or avoid using these techniques all together if unsure.
Consult a qualified practitioner if unsure or need further advice