This season is a time of rebirth, rapid growth, and expansive movement; qualities which in Chinese medicine are typical of the liver. A healthy liver helps us navigate smoothly through spring into summer by circulating qi throughout our entire being. This challenging task requires a delicate balance of energy building through rest and proper nutrition and efficient circulation of blood and body fluids.
The liver has a big job. As our body’s largest detox organ, it filters between three and four pints of blood each minute! In addition to detoxification, the liver metabolizes proteins, manufactures hormones, creates immune molecules, and produces bile for fat absorption. Toxicity, poor eating habits, and stress lead to sluggish liver function. We become lethargic, frustrated, and have a challenging time transitioning into the more active days of summer.
A nutritional cleanse eases the burden on the liver, and has far-reaching health benefits. Cleansing improves energy levels, enhances immune function, bolsters digestion, clears the skin, reduces allergies, creates mental clarity, and balances hormones (it is the first thing you should consider to avoid PMS). Cleansing also heightens self-awareness and spiritual insight. It is nature’s best preventative medicine, and given our toxic times, there are many reasons to do a cleanse.
(Those suffering from or at risk of malnutrition, immune compromise, or other debility should consult a naturopathic physisician before attempting any type of detoxification.)
In practice, I am often asked ‘what cleanse should I do?’ There are so many detox kits on the market that it can be hard to decipher if one needs a liver detox, colon cleanse, candida cleanse, or parasite purge. I steer people away from kits because doing nothing other than taking a few supplements for 2-4 weeks cannot completely detox the body.
Cleansing can be simpler than you realize, because our bodies have amazing built in self-cleaning mechanisms. We clear through our colon, kidneys, liver and lungs. As a result, I recommend a nutritional cleanse. You stick to a whole foods diet rich in organic vegetables, whole grains and fruit. You eliminate sugar, dairy, coffee, alcohol, and refined/processed/packaged foods. You rest more and hydrate well. Your body does the rest. If you are looking for a customized detox, or if you want to target specific imbalances, I recommend consulting with a naturopathic doctor.
Upcoming Events
Optimizing Nutrition for Longevity
Learn how some nutritional basics can boost your energy, strengthen your immune system and balance your stress response. We will discuss how whole foods nutrition and appropriate supplementation can offer key anti-aging benefits: improved anti-oxidant status, lowered cardiovascular risk, and DNA protection.
Drs. Daemon Jones and Marie Rodriguez will be co-presenting Tuesday May 25th at 6:30 pm at Smith Farm. Call 202-386-9701 for more details.
Healing through Energy Medicine
Come join Dr. Marie Rodriguez and Sara Salam July 2-4 for a transformative weekend of healing with energy medicine. Receive a discount if you register before May 21st.
We are composed of as much energy as physical matter. In fact, our luminous energy field is composed of nine layers that act as a blueprint which informs our physical bodies. It is possible to heal deeply by working with this energy field.
We will be incorporating the Munay ki in this healing weekend. The Munay ki are nine energetic transmissions used by Peru’s high shaman to align our energy fields with universal energy. These energies clear imprints from our field that keep us bound and limit our potential. For more information, check out: www.luminousmedicine.com
