After a hearty meal or a drunken evening with friends, our body sometimes has a little difficulty recovering. Heaviness in the stomach, reflux and heartburn, stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, bloating, are signs that certain functions of your body are struggling to properly manage excesses and that a detox treatment could do you the greatest good. For example, heaviness in the stomach is sometimes a reflection of hepatic overload (overload of the liver), easily avoidable with the help of plants and essential oils.
In this file, we will explain to you precisely what the term detox, so often used (sometimes incorrectly), actually means. We will also detail the essential role of the liver in detoxifying the body and offer you several natural remedies and very useful advice for detoxifying your body on a daily basis.
Detox recipe based on essential oils for good digestion
Why we love it: Digestive and powerful detoxifying, this synergy of essential oils is perfect after a hearty meal to stimulate the digestive and draining functions of the body.
Ingredients :
- 30 drops ofexotic basil essential oil
- 20 drops ofcarrot essential oil
- 40 drops oflemon essential oil
Preparation: Mix all the essential oils in a 5 ml codigoutte bottle.
How to use it :
Place 2 drops of this synergy on a neutral tablet or on half a sugar. To be used occasionally after a hearty meal or as a “cure”. Maximum 2 times a day for 3 days.Precaution: Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children under 8 years of age, in people with epilepsy and in cases of history of hormone-dependent cancer. No prolonged oral use without medical advice. Not recommended if taking an anticoagulant concomitantly.
Massage with essential oils to drain and detoxify the skin
Why we like it: Removes fat, drains water from cellulite and decongests the lymphatic system.
Ingredients :
- 6 drops ofVirginia cedar essential oil
- 8 drops ofgrapefruit essential oil
- 4 ml d'HV de calophylle
Preparation: Mix all the ingredients in a 5 ml codigoutte bottle.
How to use it :
Place 6 drops of this mixture on the thighs and buttocks then proceed with a circular massage. To be carried out twice a day during winter preferably (to avoid too much exposure to the sun). A suction cup or palpation massage can help drain water from the dimples more quickly and promote the release of fat.Precaution: Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children under 12 years of age, in people with epilepsy and those with kidney disease. Internal use reserved for a healthcare professional. Always dilute these two essential oils in a vegetable oil. No exposure to the sun for 6 hours following application.
Stimulating and detoxifying recipe for the morning with essential oils
Why we love it: Ideal for boosting your day, this essential oil synergy stimulates the body, promotes the activation of digestive functions, detoxifies and protects the liver.
Ingredients :
- 10 drops ofpeppermint essential oil
- 15 drops ofThujanol thyme essential oil
- 20 drops oflemon essential oil
Preparation: Mix all the ingredients in a 5 ml codigoutte bottle.
How to use it :
Place 2 drops of this synergy on a neutral tablet (or on half a sugar). Use every morning for a maximum of 7 days. If necessary, take this synergy one week per month.Precaution: Do not use in pregnant and breastfeeding women and in children under 12 years of age, in epileptic, elderly and hypertensive people. Not recommended if taking anticoagulants concomitantly. No prolonged oral use without the advice of a healthcare professional. Do not use in the evening (peppermint may prevent you from sleeping).
Detox and draining “anti-hangover” essential oils
Why we love it: Digestive, detoxifying, calming, anti-nausea and liver regenerating, here is the ideal recipe to help you during difficult tomorrows.
Ingredients :
- 1 drop ofcitron HE
- 1 drop ofrosemary verbenone EO
Preparation: Place the essential oils directly on half a sugar or a neutral tablet.
How to use it :
Place the 2 drops of essential oils directly on a neutral tablet or half a sugar cube. To be used occasionally after a meal that is a little too hearty or a little too “watered”. Repeat the intake the next morning, noon and evening. Then stop.Precaution: Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children under 12 years of age, in people with epilepsy, the elderly and in cases of history of hormone-dependent cancer. Not recommended if taking anticoagulants concomitantly. No prolonged oral use without the advice of a healthcare professional.
Contraindications:
Essential oils are generally not recommended for pregnant women (during the entire pregnancy), breastfeeding women and children under 8 years old (12 years old for certain essential oils). Carefully read the contraindications for each essential oil.
These properties and methods of use do not constitute medical advice. For therapeutic use consult a doctor.
In reality, what do we mean by a “detox” remedy?
To detoxify, as the name suggests, means to eliminate toxins. Toxins can come from our body (waste from cellular metabolism) but also from outside (metabolization of drugs, food additives, etc.). These external toxins are what we call xenobiotics: that is to say a substance present in a living being but which is foreign to it and considered toxic.
Good detoxification occurs through what we call the emunctory organs. The emunctories are the organs capable of eliminating toxins from our body: there are 5 of them. We know the liver and the skin well, but there is also the intestine, the kidneys and the lungs. Each of its organs, if overloaded, will generate specific symptoms. For complete detoxification, it is important to take these 5 emunctories into account. For everyone there are plants and essential oils that are well suited to them.
The 5 organs capable of eliminating toxins from our body
Here, in a little more detail, are the functions of the 5 organs capable of eliminating toxins from our body. A so-called “detox” cure should promote the optimal functioning of the latter:
- Liver: it is the most important detox organ. As we will see later, the liver is a barrier between what we eat or absorb orally (i.e. through the intestine) and our body. It is loaded with toxins and various components so that they do not pass into the bloodstream. It is therefore very important that it plays its role well so that our other organs are healthy.
- Skin: the skin has above all a role as a barrier against external aggressions. It is very important that this skin barrier is in good condition. The skin can also excrete and expel waste through sweat and sebum. It is therefore important that the skin can sweat, breathe and breathe. This is what allows for additional elimination of toxins.
- Lungs: the lungs and respiratory tract in general help eliminate gaseous waste, phlegm and dust. Any essential oil or mucolytic, expectorant or respiratory antiseptic plant will help the lungs function properly.
- Kidneys: They filter the blood and dilute waste to form urine. The darker the urine, the more concentrated it is in waste, crystals and toxins. To help the kidneys, the most important thing is to drink well... then eliminate well. This stimulates their functioning and reduces their load.
- Intestine: when the intestine functions poorly, it very quickly stores numerous toxins from our diet: fats, fast sugars, alcohol, additives, acidic foods, etc. When the intestinal flora (population of good bacteria that lives in our intestine and helps our good digestion) is unbalanced, symptoms appear and toxins pass more easily into our bloodstream and prevent the proper functioning of our entire body.
We therefore see clearly that all these organs are linked: if one link is deficient, the whole chain breaks. It is therefore important to detoxify our body with each change of season: in autumn to attack winter well, and in spring for a summer in great shape.
Carrot essential oil (Daucus carota):
Properties: here is an essential oil with fairly limited properties but very useful and very effective when it comes to detoxifying the liver and promoting the functioning of the gallbladder. Regenerating liver, bile and kidney cells, unparalleled depurative and draining, it also promotes intestinal transit. Useful for mild liver failure, as an adjuvant treatment for cirrhosis or hepatitis, it promotes the healing of liver cells and eliminates toxins. It is also necessary to fight against water retention and cellulite. It also has interesting cosmetic properties, it regenerates skin cells, helps fight brown spots, lightens the complexion and repairs tissues.
Uses: 1 drop morning and evening to drain and regenerate liver cells, in combination, if necessary, with rosemary verbenone essential oil. Only use for 5 days maximum.
Precautions: Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under 8 years old. No prolonged oral use without the advice of a healthcare professional. Do not use if you have a history of hormone-dependent cancers or mastosis.
Lemon essential oil (Citrus limon):
Properties: among its many properties, lemon essential oil is a tonic and a general stimulant. It is also a very good digestive, carminative (which stimulates intestinal secretions and increases the motility of the tract) and depurative (which eliminates toxins). It can also be anti-nausea like peppermint. In addition, it is antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial. It is a very good air and body purifier in general. Finally, it reduces hydrolipid retention: it is diuretic (eliminates water) and releases fat. It is perfect after a hearty meal or to drain the liver.
Uses: a drop on sugar or in a spoonful of honey after a fatty meal, it will reduce stomach heaviness and help with liver drainage. Plus, it freshens your breath!
Precautions: much less restrictive than peppermint for oral use, it is on the other hand dermocaustic and phototoxic: no exposure to the sun after local use and do not apply pure to the skin (maximum concentration of 3% in dilution in a neutral oil). The concomitant use of anticoagulants and lemon essential oil is not recommended.
Rosemary verbenone essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis CT verbenone):
Properties: cholagogue and choleretic, it stimulates and drains the liver and gallbladder. It eliminates toxins, decongests and regenerates liver cells. Hormone-like, it also acts on mood and rebalances emotions. It is known as the essential oil of tranquility and calm. Its predominant action on the liver allows it to also act on the psychic: a tired and congested liver is frequently responsible for increased fatigue and irritability.
Uses: alone or in combination with carrot or lemon essential oil, it is taken one drop twice a day (maximum 5 days). Three drops to breathe on a handkerchief or the inside of the wrists, its scent calms and helps you face a university exam, a job interview or a stressful boss.
Precautions: Essential oil containing ketones: verbenone and camphor. Do not use in pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 12 years of age, the elderly, epileptics or in the event of a history of hormone-dependent cancer or mastosis. No prolonged oral use without the advice of a healthcare professional.
Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita):
Properties: Detoxifying the body and stimulating the liver and pancreas, it is used in a number of liver disorders. It is also anti-nausea, digestive and appetite suppressant. General stimulant and invigorating in low doses, it is perfect for fairly frequent bouts of sluggishness when dieting. Quite difficult to use due to the numerous precautions given to it, it is nonetheless a useful and very versatile essential oil.
Uses: A single drop on a neutral tablet freshens the breath and suppresses hunger or helps digestion. For these indications, it goes wonderfully with lemon essential oil with which it acts in synergy. These two essential oils can also be incorporated at a rate of 1 drop each alternately into your dose of toothpaste, to freshen the breath and purify the mouth.
Precautions: reserved for adults and children over 12 years old, it is also prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of the method of use. Orally, it is also prohibited for the elderly, hypertensive and epileptic people, who are at higher risk of laryngeal spasm and choking. Risk of hypothermia and “very cold” when applied to too large an area. In diffusion and in the bath, it must be used very sparingly.
Grapefruit essential oil (Citrus paradisii):
Properties: Digestive, grapefruit essential oil promotes the normal functioning of the stomach and digestive tract. It also helps drain the liver and eliminate toxins. Very useful for slimming diets, it is a “fat-eating” and anorexigenic essential oil. It also firms the skin which makes it ideal as an anti-cellulite. Good olfactory appetite suppressant like all citrus fruits, its smell will help prevent sugar cravings.
Uses: orally, it can be consumed at a rate of 1 drop 3 times a day, to digest, slim down and drain the liver. To breathe with lemon, black pepper or clove to suppress the appetite or as an anti-cellulite massage diluted in vegetable oil.
Precautions: Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under 8 years old. This essential oil is dermocaustic: it must be diluted in a vegetable oil before applying to the skin. It is also photosensitizing: no exposure to the sun after local use within 6 hours following application.
Black radish (Raphanus sativus): The ultimate detox cure
The benefits: Perfect as a depurative and digestive in case of excess food of all types! Thanks to the sulfur compounds it contains, it has powerful cholagogue (which facilitates the evacuation of bile towards the intestine) and choleretic (which facilitates the production of bile by the liver) properties. Bile is a yellowish liquid produced by the liver which facilitates the digestion of lipids. Its depurative properties promote drainage and detoxification of the liver. It is useful in cases of sluggish liver, any type of symptoms linked to a hepatobiliary problem (migraine, colic, fatigue, etc.). It is also recommended for various digestive disorders (bloating, reflux, nausea, etc.) because it also stimulates bowel movements and therefore promotes digestion. Black radish is included in the composition of many draining specialties and detox cures for which it is a first choice.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): The anti-water retention diuretic
The benefits: Meadowsweet contains a salicylated derivative, salicylic acid, ancestor of acetylsalicylic acid better known under the name “aspirin”. This medicine also takes its name from the Latin name of meadowsweet “Spiraea ulmaria” also known as Filipendula ulmaria. Powerful anti-inflammatory, it helps fight pain and fever and joint pain. It is also diuretic and promotes the elimination of water. This last virtue makes it very useful in cases of cellulite, or for slimming treatments. It acts on water retention, particularly in the legs. Water retention is characterized in particular by a feeling of heavy and swollen legs, due to circulation problems. When venous return to the heart is no longer optimal, fluids accumulate where gravity pushes them: in the ankles. If meadowsweet can alleviate the symptoms, it is necessary to consult in the event of significant edema because it may be the consequence of more serious disorders.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): the ally against “hangovers”
The benefits: Milk thistle is well known for its protective properties for liver and bile cells. Depurative, it drains toxins and other pollutants contained in our liver. By acting on the liver and gallbladder, thistle also helps in cases of digestive disorders (dyspepsia). It is mainly used in cases of liver disorders (hepatitis, cirrhosis, mild liver failure, jaundice, etc.) or biliary disorders (stones) as well as in cases of digestive disorders such as slow digestion, nausea or constipation. It is silymarin, the active principle contained in thistle which gives it its very particular properties: this flavonoid protects liver cells from toxins and pollutants and helps to regenerate them. Thistle is therefore a great ally in the event of excess alcohol or a “hangover”.
Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus): The multi-purpose digestive
The benefits: The artichoke, a powerful digestive, acts mainly on the gallbladder by promoting the secretion and elimination of bile (cholagogue and choleretic). It is its main active ingredient, cynarin, which is responsible for these virtues. It drains liver cells, promotes digestion and also has antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties. Used mainly in digestive disorders (heaviness of the stomach, slow digestion, or dyspepsia) it is also used to purify the body or to fight against biliary insufficiency. For purely hepatic disorders, we prefer milk thistle.
The liver: the essential organ for detoxification of the body
The liver is an important organ. Very important ! To understand it, here are some notions of physiology.
When food is ingested, it undergoes a whole process of digestion, which begins with salivary enzymes and chewing, then continues in the stomach with gastric juices and ends in the intestine. This absorbs nutrients and components essential to our body and leaves so-called “indigestible” compounds such as fiber for example. These will be excreted in the stools. Along with nutrients, certain pollutants, toxins, alcohols, medications and any other compound that can be absorbed and ingested orally are unfortunately also absorbed.
These therefore pass through the intestinal mucosa to end up in the blood circulation and more precisely in a vein called the “portal vein”. This vein, in a simplified manner, leaves the intestine and directly irrigates the liver, with the result that a large majority of what is absorbed by the intestine ends up... in the liver. This is what we call the “hepatic first pass effect” (for medications in particular): everything that comes from the intestine and has been absorbed passes through the liver to be metabolized there.
The liver will therefore, according to its capacities, allow nutrients and substances useful to our body to pass and keep many toxic substances to metabolize and reject them. Many drugs also undergo this first-pass effect: part of the dose absorbed orally is metabolized in the liver. The quantity of medication which passes into the general circulation and which reaches its site of action is therefore most often reduced. But don't worry, the doses administered by your doctor take this well-known process into account.
We therefore understand better that, if one organ must suffer from our dietary excesses: it is the liver. It is therefore essential to lighten its function with regular detox treatments and a healthy and balanced diet.
How do I choose my detox treatment based on my needs?
Depending on the symptoms experienced, it is possible to know which emunctory (the organ) is suffering the most. Remember that the liver is the most important detoxification organ: if it is impacted, your entire body will be too. Fatigue, for example, may be a symptom of liver overload. It is therefore important, in the case of a detox treatment, to always help the liver. If, in addition, a breakout of pimples or unusual dark circles and puffiness occurs, the skin problem must also be treated. If you have stomach heaviness and bloating this means that your digestive tract is also suffering: you must then help digestion and elimination.
- Lemon essential oils and verbenone rosemary are very useful in detox cures: lemon is the body's detoxifier par excellence and helps with digestion and verbenone rosemary drains and regenerates liver cells.
- Artichoke, milk thistle and black radish are perfect as liver drainers.
- Fennel and flax help with digestion and the proper functioning of the intestines.
- Meadowsweet is a good diuretic and helps the proper functioning of the kidneys.
- Thyme, eucalyptus or pine (in capsules or essential oil) help support lung function.
- Nettle helps to excrete certain waste through the skin and to purify it.
Tips for eating well every day
Attention ! Do not confuse "detox cure" (One to three weeks of treatment at the change of season to eliminate toxins. The goal here is not to lose weight but to detoxify, and we maintain a balanced diet!) and "diet detox" (type of new generation diet which consists of eating exclusively fruits and vegetables raw or in the form of juice, for 7 days. The goal here is to detoxify but above all to lose weight! And there is no longer any question here balanced diet...).Eating healthy, easily assimilated foods allows, in the majority of cases, to avoid having to resort to detox cures. In fact, these are only necessary in the event of liver overload, accumulation of toxins or disturbed transit. Eating healthily often allows you to avoid these inconveniences. Here is our general advice:
- Don't snack! However, opt for a small sweet snack around 4 p.m.: a piece of dark chocolate, yogurt or fruit.
- Avoid too many starchy foods: good for your health, they are however difficult to digest. Indeed, the slow sugars contained in starchy foods are metabolized by the bacteria in our intestine (a process called fermentation) to produce... gas. These gases constitute what is frequently called “bloating”.
If you are sensitive to bloating, also avoid too many lentils, beans, excess dairy products, peas, soy, etc. - Don't eat too much sugar and fat
- Favor each type of food at each meal (fats, carbohydrates, proteins) but in different quantities.
- Think about antioxidants: Colorful foods are often rich in antioxidants: kiwis, oranges, peppers, cabbage, carrots, pumpkins, squash, grapefruit, spinach, tomatoes, apricots, etc.
- ...and aromatic herbs! turmeric, cloves, rosemary, thyme, ginger... so many plants with properties for your health.
- One dairy product per day: prefer soy, rice, sheep's or goat's milk or yogurt (organic is even better): less inflammatory than cow's milk.
- Prefer vegetable oils to butter: Olive, hazelnut, rapeseed, sunflower…
- Drink water ! : drink in small quantities and throughout the day; water or tea (preferably green, for its detoxifying action). Drinking water mechanically eliminates the toxins that are carried with it into the urine. A good detox cure requires, above all, optimal hydration!
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NOTE: This article was written by a pharmacist. The data summarized there come from the scientific literature and the references cited above. For medical advice, in the event of specific or prolonged symptoms, please consult your doctor. Only he will be able to make a precise diagnosis and, if necessary, provide you with the most appropriate treatment.
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