Supporting our natural drainage and detox processes is essential to feeling awesome and healing from chronic diseases. Here are my favorite ways to help your body daily!

1. Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil packs are magical! With just a cotton flannel and some castor oil you can have healthy bowel movements, decrease bloating, improve detox, bring down swelling and puffiness and support you lymphatic system. Proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical for our body’s ability to detoxify, filter out toxins, and most importantly drain fluids. Castor oil packs work by absorbing the oil through the skin to help increase lymphatic drainage and liver/bile duct drainage. It helps speed up the removal of toxins surrounding cells, reduces swelling of lymph nodes, and supports daily bowel movements. The method is down below for you to try!  

Castor oil pack method:

1. Pour about a tablespoon of castor oil onto your cotton flannel or old t-shirt Take a few minutes to massage it in.
2. Place a flannel cloth over the oiled area. You can use an old face cloth or you can cut up a towel into sections. Cover the flannel cloth with another towel.
3. Place the heating pad or hot water bottle over the towel and set on low heat for 30-60 mins.
4. Rest while the pack is in place. 
5. When you are done, gently cleanse the area with water.
6. The same piece of flannel can be reused 3-4 times.
7. Take it very easy for the rest of the evening and eat very lightly, if at all.

Tamara’s Tip: Use Queen of Thrones castor oil packs so you can avoid the step of heating the pad.

Discount code: TLWC10 (10% off orders of $59 or more)

2. Dry Brushing 

Dry brushing is a body massage with a dry, stiff-bristled brush. Aesthetically, it helps rid of flaky skin, removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and helps to lessen cellulite. Physiologically, dry brushing increases blood circulation and detoxifies the body. The mechanical action of dry brushing promotes the movement of lymph which helps to remove toxins from the body.

Dry brushing method: 

1. Start with the soles of your feet and legs.
2. Brush upwards towards your heart in short, firm strokes.
3. Use circular motions on your tummy and armpits, instead of short, firm strokes.
4. When you get to your arms, begin at your hands and work the brush upwards.
5. Repeat every 1-2 days for best results.

Tamara’s Tip: You do not need to press the brush too hard on your skin since the bristles might scratch your skin. Apply light pressure!

3. Walks

Walking is the easiest and best form of exercise! Luckily, it supports the lymphatic system as well. The contraction of muscles while walking helps pump the fluid around your body, which boosts circulation and drainage. Taking a 10-20 minute walk every day after eating dinner can maintain fluid balance and ensure a bowel movement by the end of the day. 

Tamara’s Tip: This is the best time to listen to a podcast! I recommend The Funktional Gut Health Podcast, Quiet the Diet with Michelle Shapiro, and The Ultimate Health Podcast. Boost your knowledge in functional gut health while you’re helping your drainage pathways!

4. Nutrition

Your food choices have a big impact on the body’s drainage and detox ability. Different foods and herbs can support different parts of the drainage funnel. Some of my favorite foods are bitter vegetables, herbs, and spices like ginger that support the liver and water for optimal hydration.

5. Drainage Activator by Cellcore

My favorite supplement for drainage is Cellcore’s Drainage Activator. Drainage Activator contains a blend of herbs to help support drainage in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is the space between cells and organs. Inflammation in cardiovascular vessels or lymphatic vessels can leak toxins into this space. The drainage activator helps support drainage levels from a cellular level all the way to the colon. Clients have experienced better bowel movements, less swelling, and better skin when on Drainage Activator.

*This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. Please consult your medical provider before starting any new diet, exercise programs, or supplements.