Nightly Detox Routine
DETOX 101
Detox is definitely a buzzword, but it’s used in all the wrong ways. As a green juice or superfood smoothie. As a pretty face mask or skincare product. As a low calorie diet. As a pill. But, that’s not at all what it really is.
Detoxing is not a pill or green juice. It’s nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as the wellness world likes to say it is. It’s actually really painful, uncomfortable, and exhausting, but is extremely necessary for those with a chronic illness. So I want to talk about that side of detox, the real side of actually removing harmful toxins and pathogens from the body, because it’s not as trendy as you might think.
With Lyme disease and mold toxicity, supporting the body’s natural detoxification process is the name of the game. When the body is filled with toxins and the immune system is up-regulated, meaning it sees basically everything as a threat, supporting detox pathways is a must. Sweating, hydrating, sleeping, switching to natural home and beauty products, and eating nutrient dense foods rich in phytonutrients and prebiotics are all super effective and budget friendly ways to support this process. And like I said before, it can be a really painful and uncomfortable process with illness, because the body is literally eliminating these toxins through various pathways like the skin, liver, and kidneys. But on the bright side, it’s a sign that it’s working and the body is actually getting rid of those pathogens.
This was something I didn’t really prioritize when I first started Lyme treatment even though doctors kept emphasizing its importance. But over the past month, I’ve incorporated it into my daily routine and have seen such an overall difference. Saunas, especially with infrared heat, are one of the most beneficial ways to support the body’s removal of toxins and pathogens, but that’s not always something that’s both available and affordable. So, I decided to create my own nightly detox ritual, which starts with an epsom salt bath and includes natural healing modalities to support the liver and lymphatic system, all while regulating the nervous system. The baths were really hard to sit through at first, but now I love them and find them so relaxing. I’ve learned that consistency and patience are key for treating Lyme, and everything gets easier with time.
This is something that works for me, but it very well might not for you. I’m only sharing because I was desperate for relief about a month ago and realized the antibiotic route wasn’t working for me. I decided to put my knowledge in holistic health to use, and have now made more progress using natural remedies and Chinese medicine than I have since starting treatment. So hopefully at least one of these practices can help you too, only after speaking to a medical professional and not just doing something that you saw on the internet, of course.
Here’s how my at-home nightly detox goes:
Prep an epsom salt bath: I like Dr. Teals melatonin sleep soak, especially because I do this before bed. I usually run the bath with the salts and let them sit for 20-30 minutes before getting in for maximum benefits.
Supplements to reduce herxheimer reactions: Herxing is very common for those with Lyme disease, which is essentially when things get worse before they get better. However, it’s a sign that the medicine or treatment is working because the body is releasing pathogens and effectively fighting the disease. It’s common to herx during a detox, so I always like to take supplements before to help with the process. I personally take a specific herx support blend that my doctor makes, quercitin which is great to take multiple times daily as a natural preventative care (for any illness or allergy), and alka seltzer gold which helps balance the body’s pH levels to prevent herxing and is another great natural option to take throughout the day.
Binders to promote detox effects: Just as the name implies, binders are necessary to help speed up the detox process as they literally bind to toxins in the body and help pull them out through various detox pathways. Activated charcoal and chlorella are two of my favorites, and I also take another blend that my doctor makes.
Hydrate: This is so important and necessary to do all throughout the day, but especially during a detox. Hydration is key for detoxification as it helps flush out unwanted toxins from the body. But since detoxing usually implies sweating, it’s vital to stay hydrated. I like to mix electrolytes with water and add the alka seltzer in to boost my hydration levels while also preventing horrible herx reactions - killing two birds with one drink.
10-20 minute bath: Like I said before, it can be super uncomfortable and painful at first when your body isn’t used to detoxing. The first week or so I would normally get hives and joint pain in the baths, but now that rarely happens. Start out slowly and work your way up to the full 20 minutes. Now sometimes I feel so relaxed that I end up staying in closer to 30 minutes.
Self care: Self care is truly medicine so I love this part of the routine. Usually I feel super tired after the bath (which is a good thing), so I like to treat myself to a nice face mask or skincare routine that makes me feel good. Sometimes I will also dry brush afterwards to help boost the lymphatic system. Lastly, I love putting on comfy pajamas that are loose because I’m usually pretty sweaty and want to wear something soft and comfortable. All self care practices lowers stress and relax the body, which then helps regulate the nervous system and turns on parasympathetic activity - aka rest and digest.
Castor oil pack: This is a super budget friendly and effective way to support the liver. Pour a little castor oil on the inside of a pack, which you can either buy or make your own, and wrap it around your midsection. It’s great for supporting the digestive process and the compression also helps when experiencing stomach pain.
Red light: I’ve used a red light for years, which can be as expensive as buying a full infrared lamp or as cheap as buying a red lightbulb. Red light has so many medicinal effects, but most importantly continues to activate the parasympathetic nervous system to calm the body. I always turn mine on once the sun goes down to help limit blue light exposure which allows for better and more relaxing sleep.
Legs up the wall: Comfy pajamas, castor oil pack, red light lamp, and legs up the wall. This helps boost the lymphatic system, one of the most important detox pathways. Taking care of the lymphatic system is so important for everyone, because in today’s world it often gets backed up due to stress, dehydration, processed foods, chemicals and environmental toxins, digestive distress, and so much more. Legs up the wall helps boost circulation and the lymphs, while also calming and restoring the body.
Again, always talk to a medical professional before trying any of these things yourself. But I hope these practices can help you in your healing journey too!