5 Tips for a Gentle Spring Detox

Support your body’s natural cleansing process with these simple practices, which are perfect for busy lifestyles.  

Spring is a time to try new things, start new habits, or commit to action. It’s also a natural time to clear away toxins and revitalize our body and mind after a long, sluggish winter. Detoxification is one of the oldest and most effective healing methods known to man. The body is designed to detox naturally and gently supporting it can be be as simple as giving our body a break to do its work.

The following easy-to-do tips can even fit into a busy lifestyle.

1. Soak in Epsom Salts  

Contrary to its name, Epsom salts are not actually a salt, but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate that has a shape resembling salt. Use Epsom salts to support a detox in a relaxing bath soak. 

Simply add 2 cups of Epsom salts to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. The Epsom salts help to draw salt out of your body taking toxins along with it, while the magnesium relaxes the muscles. Learn more about the many uses of Epsom salts for the mind, body, and home in our blog. 

2. Try Oil Pulling  

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayruvedic ritual for oral health and detoxification. It uses pure oil as a cleanser for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and throat. Cleansing the mouth, the gateway to the body, can aid prevention by removing these toxins before they spread.

How do you do oil pulling? Put a tablespoon of cold pressed organic oil into your mouth and swish it around for approximately 10-15 minutes. Then spit it out. Traditionally sesame oil is used, however olive oil or coconut oil can also be used. Coconut oil has the added benefit of antibacterial properties. 

Sounds interesting…maybe a bit weird? Learn more about the benefits of oil pulling here.

3. Include Apple Cider Vinegar in your Morning Ritual  

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, metabolism-firing, immunity-building remedy. When choosing an ACV, look for a raw, organic, unfiltered one that contains the ‘mother’. This cloudy sediment is a collection of living nutrients, proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria, which gives the body a boost of enzymes, promotes a healthy gut, supports the immune system and can aid in the body’s natural detox process.  

An easy way to kick start a spring cleanse is to start each morning with a warm ACV drink. Simply mix a tablespoon of ACV in warm water. If the taste is too strong, you can add a small spoonful of honey. If you’re looking for a stronger detox, increase this to 3x a day: upon waking, mid-morning and mid-afternoon. 

Learn more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar here. 

4. Choose Organic Spring Vegetables  

Choosing the right food plays a huge role in detoxing. Ever so perfectly, spring vegetables naturally support the liver in cleansing. Include a variety of these spring vegetables in your daily diet: spinach, lettuce, snap peas, asparagus, celery, and berries; cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower; and bitter greens such as kale, dandelion greens, and chard. 

When you can, choose organic vegetables to avoid chemicals from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Getting a local, organic veggiebox is a great way to ensure you have seasonal produce on hand and you’re more likely to use it. 

Overall, look to increase plant-based foods in your diet. Be adventurous and try that vegan mayo or coconut yoghurt you’ve seen at the market. You may find you love it!

5. What You Drink Matters  

Water is perhaps the most important tool in supporting the body to detox. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water. The general rule is to drink 8 glasses a day (about 2 liters). If it’s hard to keep track, use your favourite water bottle as a measurement guide, i.e. if your bottle is 500ml, you need to drink 4 bottles a day.

Hot water is particularly detoxifying.  Add a squeeze of lemon or enjoy a cup of herbal tea. Choose a detox specific tea, which contains herbs to support the body in releasing toxins. We love the Clipper Organic Detox Infusion, a delicious, and refreshing infusion with hibiscus, liquorice root, nettle & aloe vera. It tastes good and is naturally caffeine free. 

For best results, eliminate alcohol and caffeine for two weeks. If this sounds impossible, start with reducing your coffee to one a day. Alternatively, have a cup of white or green tea instead, both are high in antioxidants and much lower in caffeine. 

Spring is a time to feel revitalized and alive! Think about if a detox is for you and how you can make it achievable. Above all, be kind to yourself. If one or two of these points resonated with you, that’s a great place to start. Go slow and create new habits. How will you revitalize this spring? 

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