Spring flowers are peeking out and the sun is shining gently. In spring, we long to clean up. We want to tidy the home, declutter, wash curtains, clean windows, and do other things to clear out the winter. We often also feel drawn to “cleanse the body” with green smoothies, outdoor exercise, and good nutrition.
In this article, we share how you can do a continuous “cleansing” of your body in a gentle way over a longer period and how we can support children with detox since we often get that question.
What is a gentle detox?
Does a detox have to be intense and exhausting? No, you can cleanse the body gently over a longer time. That suits many people better. Eventually, it might even become a lifestyle =).
Habits we build over time eventually become dependencies. These can be both healthy and less healthy dependencies. But forcing ourselves doesn’t work. We need to be kind to ourselves and create new healthy, strengthening “dependencies” over a longer period.
Can children do a detox?
That’s a question we’ve been asked many times. The answer is no. But they can detox gently daily through a healthy lifestyle.
Of course, this is good for all children but perhaps especially important for children who often get sick, are stressed, have trouble sleeping, have stomach problems, are overweight, or have been vaccinated and reacted negatively.
- Children detox through the liver and digestive system just like adults by eating healthy food, avoiding junk food, and preventing constipation.
- Remove foods with artificial colors and preservatives and encourage them to eat colorful vegetables, leafy greens, fruit, berries, and fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut to support their good microbiome. Children respond quickly and very well to the right diet.
- Avoid constipation by reminding children to drink plenty of water. If they often get constipated, remove cow’s milk. Milk is for calves, period. Give them good fiber in their food.
- Most children don’t drink enough water during school days and often don’t want to use school toilets. Talk about how important water is. Make water at home more fun with berries, citrus fruits, and herbs. Avoid juice from concentrate, soda, and sports drinks.
- Children detox through their lungs by spending time outdoors, just like adults. So get outside, be physically active, and take deep breaths together. Encourage play and running outdoors and do yoga together.
7 tips for a “gentle detox”
Here we share tips for a gentle detox for both adults and children; many of these you can do together and make it a fun event, like a spa evening in the bathroom.
1. Bathe in a tub with Epsom salt
Add 5 drops of essential lavender oil to your bath with 4 dl of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). You can also do this as a foot bath. Even children can take warm, relaxing baths with Epsom salt. Make this part of their bedtime ritual; it often leads to relaxed children who fall asleep well.
2. Body scrub
Watch the video below to learn how to make a simple body scrub; you can vary it endlessly by choosing different base oils and essential oils. Sugar can be replaced with natural salt. Even children can gently scrub their skin; make an extra soft scrub for a child with honey.
3. Dry brushing
The lymphatic system is one of the body’s most important cleansing systems. It is supported by movement and exercise, massage, and water. But dry brushing every morning before showering is also very good for the lymphatic system. It releases impurities and naturally stimulates the circulatory system while giving smoother, softer, and brighter skin tone. Children can also gently brush their skin with a soft brush.
In this article, you will learn more about the method.
4. Clean water
When toxins are drawn from the body, they must be flushed out. Full kidney function depends on having enough water in the body. Avoid soda, dairy products, and quick juices and drink clean water instead.
Here you can find good water purifiers.
5. Algae, juices & smoothies
Fresh juice or smoothies every day in addition to regular meals provide loads of nutrients and vitamins. Try to always include foods like colorful vegetables, sprouts, berries, fruit, garlic, onions, and spices in your daily diet. This works for all ages. Who doesn’t feel good from vegetables?*
Chlorella and Spirulina support the body in removing toxins, especially heavy metals, while their nutritional content is easily absorbed. Children can also take spirulina. Chlorella is considered a bit “stronger” and suits adults better.
*By vegetables, we don’t mean iceberg lettuce with sliced tomatoes and cucumber. We mean all kinds of vegetables in all colors that can be prepared in thousands of ways. Nowadays, there is so much fun inspiration on the internet and in cookbooks for vegetable recipes.
6. Infrared sauna
An infrared sauna supports cell energy, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, enhances oxygen supply in the blood, and supports detoxification.
Older children can also sit in an infrared sauna for a while, always under adult supervision to avoid overheating. Older children can try the sauna for 10 minutes at 40-43 degrees Celsius.
7. Supplements
Lactic acid bacteria are crucial for restoring gut flora and balancing the immune system. They also help with constipation. It’s so important to be able to go to the bathroom every day. For all ages.
Vitamin C has been shown to be amazing in many ways, not least as a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C helps counteract damage from heavy metals, chemicals, and toxins and supports the immune system. For all ages.
Iodine detoxifies and protects the thyroid from harmful halogens like fluoride, chlorine, and bromine. For adults.
Enzymes like protease, catalase, nattokinase, serrapeptase, bromelain, and papain are fantastic. They break down unwanted proteins and support recovery when taken between meals. For adults.
