Our skin is the biggest organ in the body. It is also the organ that releases the most toxins; over 30% of our toxins are released through the skin. We don’t really think of it as an organ or as having as any functionality other than protecting us, and either looking good, or bad or old or young. But the skin is so much more than that.
Our stress also is revealed on our skin in many forms – rosacea, acne, wrinkles, rashes. We may be able to hide our stress but our skin can not.
The ancient techniques to rid the skin of toxins and for the most part they have been lost in our modern societies, and we would be wise to make them part of our modern day rituals and habits. Sweating is the most effective form of detoxification. European spas have used sweating as a means of maintaining health for over 2000 years. Natural springs such as Vichy, Evian and Epsom were believed to cure all sorts of disease such as infrared saunas are used to detox the body.
Sweating is actually really important. For whatever reason, a lot of people do not like to sweat. There are practical reasons like you don’t want to mess up your suit for work, but some people just don’t like the way it feels.
Sweating release toxins built up in your body. You can achieve sweating by working out or by using a sauna or steam room. Saunas and sweat lodges are a very big part of many ancient and some modern cultures and were ritualistic ways to form communities and pray and join together for a common goal.
Detoxification is a natural process that allows the body to use its regulatory mechanisms to heal itself achieve homeostasis.
Simple things you can do.
Dry Brush your skin – daily before a shower. Brush towards the heart with gentle strokes on dry skin. (DUH). Take about 3-5 minutes. This eliminates toxins that are released on the skin and form crystals on the surface of the skin. Think of it like cleaning the countertops in the kitchen. You wouldn’t leave food and crumbs on the counter tops (or maybe you would but it certainly would get gross). Wash your face before bed and detox your skin daily in a shower or bath with a cleanser (soap). Clean off the grime from the day: make-up, sweat, negative people – get rid of it before slumber.
Drink lots of water to flush stuff out and keep things moving. Stagnation in life and in the body definitely creates disease and problems. Chinese medicine notes this and stagnation in organs and mind is a big cause of harm and illness.
SWEAT! Ideally daily. Obviously, working out is an awesome way to sweat, but if you can’t, try a sauna or a steam room. If you are not used to sweating, make sure you replace the fluid you are losing. A good rule of thumb to monitor your hydration status is — look at your urine. it should be relatively clear unless you are on certain medications (tumeric, vitamin B).
Take a detox bath 2 times a week. Fill a bath tub with warm water and add either Epsom salts and ginger, baking soda or apple cider vinegar.
1-2 cups Epsom salt
1 cup of baking soda,
1 cup of cider vinegar or a handful of raw cut ginger that has been boiled in water for 20 minutes.
Make routines and rituals so that you can form healthy habits.
YOU WILL FEEL BETTER within a week and you will note that your skin will glow!