Love Your Liver

LOVE YOUR LIVER - The Importance of a Spring Cleanse

Even though the liver is the only organ in our body that can regenerate itself, it doesn't mean it can’t use some help from time to time.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body, inside and out.

Why Detox

One of the main ways that the body rids itself of toxins is through the liver. In fact, the liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body. From environmental pollutants, additives, medications, chemicals in cosmetics to an abundance in alcohol, drugs and coffee, our liver has to process it all. Add in stress and emotional factors and sometimes this organ extraordinaire simply cannot keep up. You may need to take a step back and minimize these stressors on your body. Even if you’re in optimal health generally it’s beneficial to do at least one liver cleanse a year.

When to Detox

Based on TCM’s ‘The Five Elements’ theory (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water), each element corresponds with a particular season, organ/gland, and even emotion. In this Chinese system Spring is linked to the Wood element as well to the liver and gall bladder organs. Planning your cleanse around this cycle of nature, such as Spring, encourages change and regrowth.
When in harmony our Liver energy or “QI” can encourage us to try new things, set a new course and commit to action.
When in disharmony you may experience excess stress, anger, digestive disruptions or even change in menstrual cycle. According to TCM, it is the organ that governs a woman’s health more than any other.

By removing and eliminating toxins, to then reintroducing your body with healthy nutrients, detoxification can protect you from diseases and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.

A detox program can help the body’s natural cleansing process by:
-Resting the organs through fasting
-Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body -Promoting elimination through intestines, kidneys and skin -Improving circulation of the blood

-Refuelling the body with healthy nutrients

Finding Balance

You want to ease into the cleansing process, otherwise cleansing too quickly can cause you to release toxins faster than you can eliminate them.You need to make sure you can rid them out of circulation through the kidneys and bowels. If you are experiencing lasting symptoms such as fatigue, fever, headache or nausea you may need to re-evaluate your process and take a few steps back.

I like to encourage a healthy balance in my client’s lifestyle. With my Spring Into Cleanse customizable protocol I ensure success with this easy to follow cleanse by including a selection of temporary dietary eliminations along with a blend of Western and Eastern herbs (tincture and pill form). During this 3-week process I can provide specific Liver boosting acupuncture treatments while introducing Chinese cupping for cleansing and recharging the system naturally through lymph drainage.

Even when following guidelines, treatments are always modified to focus on the client’s diagnosis and health needs.

Whether you are in need of general maintenance or would like more information on my Spring Into Cleanse program you can email me at kriss@traditionaltoday.com, call -416.554.0345 or visit traditionaltoday.com for more information on my treatments.