7 Detox Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank
By Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio
By stepping up our detoxification processes, we help our bodies handle different combinations of medications and supplements, eliminate toxic waste, and most importantly, heal. But the cost of additional remedies can be burdensome financially to many patients with tick-borne diseases.
Here are seven budget-friendly detox ideas that won’t break the bank.
1. Dry Skin Brushing
For the cost of about $15 to $20, a dry skin brush is an economical tool to incorporate into your detox routine. Available online and at most health food stores, you’ll want to purchase a long-handled brush made with natural bristles as opposed to synthetic ones. Dry skin brushing helps to unclog pores and allows your skin, the body’s largest organ, to expel toxins that have accumulated in it. This method of detoxification is also known to increase circulation, stimulate the lymphatic system, improve skin tone, and have an energizing effect.
Dry skin brushing takes roughly five minutes and is excellent for those with limited energy. After you remove your clothing, begin brushing at your feet moving the brush with smooth strokes toward your heart. From your feet, progress up your legs, to the palms of your hands, and then your arms. Again, always brushing toward your heart.
Once you brush your extremities, you brush your abdomen, chest, and back — still in the direction of the heart. Keep in mind, these areas tend to be more sensitive, so use a lighter hand when brushing them.
Whenever possible, take a shower after your dry skin brushing session and follow up with a natural moisturizer. Coconut oil is a preferred moisturizer among many Lyme patients. For best result, you can use this technique daily.
2. Hot/Cold Showers
Although the idea of alternating a comfortable, warm shower with a burst of cold water might not sound appealing to you, this type of shower costs very little and has many therapeutic benefits.
Right before you finish your shower, adjust the temperature to the coldest setting you can withstand and allow the water to run over you for one minute (if possible). Cycling between hot and cold increases lymph flow, stimulates circulation, and optimizes blood flow to your organs. Repeat four or five times during your shower to feel more invigorated.
3. Activated Charcoal
Many Lyme patients experience Herxheimer reactions (“herx” for short) periodically during Lyme treatment. These reactions are the result of your body’s inflammatory responses to the toxins caused when a large bacterial load gets killed off. The duration of a herx varies from person to person and can last from a few hours to a few weeks. Thankfully, activated charcoal tablets are a low-cost option to help you when you’re feeling cruddy.
Activated charcoal is a binding agent that absorbs toxins and helps your body properly get rid of them. Note that you need to take activated charcoal two hours before or after your other medications and supplements.
4. Lemon Water
Lemon water is a favorite detox method among the Lyme community. Not only is it incredibly cheap, but the lemon adds a splash of flavor to an otherwise bland glass of water. The lemon neutralizes your body’s pH and improves an acid-alkaline balance. Additionally, this refreshing drink helps to cleanse your liver. You can drink your lemon water either hot or cold, but many holistic health practitioners recommend rinsing your mouth afterward to protect the enamel on your teeth from the acidity in the lemon juice.
5. Liver Support Formula
Medications may place an extra burden on the liver. Investing in a liver support supplement will help your body process these medications more efficiently. Several herbs and supplements help your liver remove harmful substances, keep your liver functions in a normal range, balance your hormones, and help you better tolerate the vast array of chemicals you ingest. Look for formulas that contain such ingredients as milk thistle, n-acetyl-cysteine, or glutathione for best results.
6. Epsom Salt Baths
An Epsom salts bath is an excellent way to minimize stress on your body. It's the perfect accompaniment to a dry skin brushing session. Magnesium sulphate — the mineral in Epsom salts — has a calming effect on muscles and the nervous system, so you feel more relaxed and at ease.
Because Epsom salts can lower blood pressure, it’s best to start with a ½ cup in your bath and work up to two or three cups for a maximum of 20 minutes.
7. Herbal Teas
Another economical option that can address specific areas of discomfort is with the use of herbal teas. Chock-full of beneficial nutrients, teas like chamomile relieve insomnia, peppermint and ginger help soothe the stomach, and milk thistle assists the liver. With such a large selection to choose from, you will likely find at least one tea to aid your detoxification.
References:
Kneipp, S. (2007). My Water Cure. (2nd ed). London, England: William Blackwood and Sons.
McFadzean, N. ( 2010). The Lyme Diet. South Lake Tahoe, CA: BioMed Publishing Group.
Whichello Brown, D. (2004) Teach Yourself Detox. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books.
