Acne can be a sign that the body is in need of some detoxification; the skin is the body's main organ of elimination and when waste is not disposed of in other ways it may come out through the skin causing spots.
Herbs & supplements
To detox use cleansing herbs and supplements to detoxify the bowels, liver, kidneys and blood.
Always start a detox by cleansing the bowel. The aim is to improve its efficiency so you have regular bowel movements (ideally once each morning and after each meal (I did say ideally!) and the bowel is free of yeast (candida) overgrowths but plentiful in 'good' bacteria.
Take a complete fibre supplement such as Viridian's Complete Fibre Complex which includes flax seeds and psyllium husks. It also contains oligofructosaccarides which encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria for good digestion.
While taking the supplement drink plenty of water and herb teas (around 2 - 3 litres per days) and include lots of fresh fruit and veg in the diet, avoiding red meat, alcohol, caffeine, wheat and dairy products. Continue for around 10 days or until you recover regular bowel movements.
If you fancy a cheat's way to do this part of the detox, go for a colonic......they're not as bad as they sound, honestly!
(A note about candida or poor digestion - if you suffer from heartburn, bloating , excessive gas or feel discomfort after eating then seeing a suitable health practitioner, such as a naturopath, is advisable. They will be able to help pinpoint the cause of your poor digestion and treat it appropriately. Poor digestion is a common root cause of many skin conditions.)
Once the bowels are 'happy' you can move onto the rest of the body. Take a herbal supplement containing cleansing herbs. You may wish to visit a local health food store or herbalist for a recommended suitable formula or use Viridian's Dandelion and Burdock combined with their 100% Organic Milk Thistle tincture. Continue drinking plenty of fluids, eating fresh fruit and veg and avoiding the foods mentioned above.
The following foods are also great to include in your diet during this time; carrot juice, beetroots, watercress, superfoods such as wheatgrass and barley grass, Innocent's detox smoothie, garlic, lemon juice and nuts and seeds.
Other detox tips
Hydro-therapy is one of my favourite forms of detoxing. It includes the following;
- after a shower each morning turn the water cold for about 60 seconds then back to hot then cold again. This flushes the blood and helps elimination
- have weekly sea salt baths. Mother Earth's Detox Bath Soak is especially good as it includes cleansing grapefuit oil and can also help in removing cellulite.
- use a dry skin brush before a shower. Brush up the legs and arms and body in the direction of the heart. Also brush the soles of the feet.
- use turkish baths, steam rooms, saunas and plunge pools. Gently massage limbs while using them to help elimination.
Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fresh whole food, avoiding processed and sugary foods.
Trampoline each morning to stimulate the lymph system or do regular exercise to keep the body moving and in flow.
Treat yourself to a lymphatic drainage massage.
Caution
The information given here does not replace the advice of a qualified professional who can fully assess and diagnose your condition. Do not attempt a detox if you are on any prescribed medication, including the pill, without consulting your doctor first. Likewise if you suffer from a diagnosed medical condition. A detox should not be undertaken during pregnancy.
