Natural Lyme Detox Solutions
Do Some Dry Skin Brushing.
Dry skin brushing all over bare skin is a favorite technique by many Lyme patients to stimulate the drainage of the lymphatic system — a network of lymph tissues, organs, and fluids that expel waste and disseminate immune cells all through the body.
Using a brush with natural bristles, brush in a pattern towards your heart. For instance:
1. Begin with one foot and brush both sides of it.
2. Then, move up your leg, making sure to brush it from all sides.
3. Repeat on the other leg.
4. Once you’ve finished with your legs, move to your upper body.
5. Choose one hand and brush both sides.
6. Progress to the rest of your arm, always moving in the direction of your heart.
7. Repeat on the other arm.
8. Once you’ve finished your extremities, brush your abdomen, chest, and back to the best of your ability.
9. Initially, your skin may be sensitive to brushing, so begin with a light touch and increase pressure to your preference.
10. Finish the brushing session with a shower.
Exercise to Your Tolerance.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, exercise might be last on your list of ways to detox, and rightfully so. There are times when exercise isn’t an appropriate step for where you are in your healing. However, if your symptoms are stable or improving, it’s probably time to add some movement into your daily routine. Exercise improves circulation, oxygenates your tissues, and enhances the work of the lymphatic system through muscle contractions. To cut down on the risk of exacerbating your symptoms, stick to low-impact exercises such as walking, yoga, Pilates, and qigong.
Heat Up in an Infrared Sauna.
Infrared saunas can assist with removal of heavy metals and other toxins through sweating, plus they help boost immune function and increase endorphin production.
But don’t hop in or zip yourself into one and expect to stay in it for 30 minutes right off the bat. Too much heat can worsen symptoms for a lot of people, so start with 5 minutes and slowly build up to 20 to 30 minutes. Also, remember to stay hydrated, and take a shower soon after getting out of the sauna to remove toxins that have accumulated on the skin.
Practice Forgiveness.
Detoxing happens at both physical and mental/emotional levels. Through the practice of gratitude, we stay centered and in the present moment and release unhealthy emotions. Take time to forgive someone or yourself for things in the past.
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Quit a Bad Habit.
Are you a smoker? Pack rat? Chronically sleep deprived? In a bad relationship? Toxins come into our lives in many forms. Consider if you’re participating in any unhealthy patterns or holding onto anything that no longer serves you, and then find a way to limit those things in your life.
Sip Lemon Water or Apple Cider Vinegar.
Lemons stimulate the production of bile and help cleanse your liver, which has the job of detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs. Lemons also possess a unique trait: When you metabolize the fruit or juice, it becomes alkaline and helps to neutralize your body’s pH. That reduces acidity and balances your acid-alkaline levels, which many Lyme patients report reduces herxing. The same is true of apple cider vinegar. To get the benefits, add a lemon wedge to hot or cold water and sip away. Or, add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces of water. Afterwards, be sure to rinse out your mouth: Over time, the acidity of the lemon or vinegar may weaken tooth enamel or contribute to sensitivity.
Enjoy Herbal Teas.
Drinking herbal teas will help you stay hydrated, another great way to detox by flushing out toxins. And they can supply you with easily-absorbed antioxidants to quell inflammation. Whenever possible, purchase organic teas to reduce your exposure to pesticides and other toxic substances. A few detoxifying tea examples include:
• Milk thistle and dandelion root teas; they provide liver support.
• Peppermint and ginger teas can soothe an irritated digestive tract and reduce nausea.
• Chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm teas have calming properties to aid in a more restful night’s sleep.
• Licorice root and orange peel teas aid in combating fatigue, especially adrenal fatigue,
minus the adrenaline rush that caffeine produces.
Avoid Processed Foods, Caffeine, and Alcohol.
Try to stay away from ingredients you can’t pronounce, white flour and sugar, caffeine, and alcohol to assist your body’s capacity to process toxins. Instead, reach for plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables: Their natural fiber is a great natural binder.
Juice Extra Produce.
In addition to eating plenty of fresh, whole produce, juicing with vegetables and low-sugar fruits can provide your body with extra bio-available nutrients while reducing your toxic burden. These antioxidant-rich foods help cleanse and sustain your organs. But high-sugar fruits like bananas, pineapples, and oranges can raise your blood sugar levels, so try to avoid those as best you can.
Top foods for juicing include:
• Leafy greens like spinach, kale, parsley, cilantro, and Swiss chard
• Vegetables, including celery, cucumber, carrots, beets, cabbage, and zucchini
• Low-sugar fruits such as green apples, lemons, limes, and berries
To get the most out of juicing, drink the juice within 20 minutes of making it for the most active phytonutrients and enzymes. When possible, use organic produce.
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Try Chlorella to Bind Toxins.
Toxin binders can be used to corral toxins from Lyme disease, coinfections, mold illness, and more. They assist your body by binding to toxins so they can be eliminated more efficiently. In most cases, binders can’t differentiate between different kinds of substances, so don’t use them within two hours of taking any herbs, supplements, and medications to avoid preventing their absorption. If there’s any confusion about what to take or how to take it, consult with your doctor before incorporating binders into your treatment.
Dr. Rawls’ go-to supplement binder: Chlorella. This nutrient-rich freshwater algae contains a spectrum of amino acids, iron, vitamins, and minerals. Chlorella works particularly well for withdrawing heavy metals from your body. Pure chlorella can be purchased in the form of bulk powder, tablets, or capsules
Because chlorella mobilizes metals, start slowly and gradually increase the dose to find the amount that feels best to you. Not only does chlorella bind to toxins, but it assists in healing and soothing the gut. Some individuals may experience loose stools from chlorella; if this happens to you, simply back off on the dose.
Consider Other Detoxifying Herbs.
There are a number of other herbs and natural ingredients beyond chlorella that can help support detoxification. Here are some at the top of Dr. Rawls’ list:
• Garlic: It contains a chemical called allicin, which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins. Not to mention, allicin has natural antiviral, antibacterial, and antibiotic properties.
• Milk Thistle: It’s been used for thousands of years to support a healthy liver, the primary organ responsible for detoxification.
• Dandelion: Known to help support liver function, research suggests dandelion helps promote the body’s natural detoxification and elimination processes.
• Glutathione: A powerful intracellular antioxidant, glutathione helps support enzymes that aid in the elimination of toxins and prevention of free radicals.
• NAC (n-acetyl cysteine): An essential component for the formation of glutathione inside cells, NAC is an antioxidant that helps protect liver function.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid: Another potent antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid is protective of live function and helps remove toxins from the body.
• Berberine: Hundreds of scientific journal articles support berberine’s ability to support liver health, healthy circulation, gut health, a balanced microbiome, and more. (Don’t take berberine if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you’re on medications that lower blood
sugar or blood pressure.)
Consider a Comprehensive Herbal Protocol for Lyme.
A comprehensive herbal protocol for Lyme disease can help normalize immune
function, balance the microbiome, promote good liver and GI function, decrease
inflammation, and reduce cellular stress. The right herbal protocol can help lower
toxic load, improve detoxing, and address the root causes behind your
Lyme recovery.
To learn more about Dr. Rawls’ Herbal Protocol visit: RawlsMD.com/protocol