Products to Help You Start Your Day With A Detox

We constantly hear of different cleanses and detoxes people are doing. Some are a few days, like a quick 3-day juice or broth cleanse. Others are detoxing for the month, going on a special diet, doing away with dairy, alcohol, grains, etc. But here at Amé, we think that cleansing should be a part of a larger daily practice, with small, delicious, relaxing rituals that make us feel our best self, while opening the channels of the body for natural, consistent detoxification.

Tongue Scraper + Oil Pulling

Tongue scraping and oil pulling are neither new practices, they go back deep into Ayurveda. They are also both great rituals for maintaining amazing oral hygiene, as well as jumpstarting your daily detox regime. Simply scrape your tongue with a tool like this first thing in the morning, followed by a swig of pulling oil. Sesame and coconut oil are excellent choices, but you can also find sachets or Ayurvedic blends of oil specifically for this purpose.

Scraping the tongue removes a visible layer of built up bacteria and undigested AMA (waste from food that we absorb into our body without properly assimilating, thus clogging our system). Do it 7 times, and then follow with oil pulling. This practice entails swishing around a small amount of your pulling oil, making sure to pass the oil thoroughly through the gums and teeth. This activates salivary enzymes which absorb and break down toxins and chemicals from the blood, helping to not only cleanse the mouth but the whole body.

Dry Brush

Dry brushing in the morning before your workout or shower stimulates circulation and exfoliates the skin, but it also helps move stagnant lymphatic fluid, helping to remove cellular waste, environmental toxins, and pathogens. A vigorous brush in the morning, starting at the feet and working upwards towards your heart and outwards toward the lymph nodes is very invigorating and energizing.

Nettle Tea

A green, refreshing herb with tons of different benefits, nettle leaves are an amazing staple herb to have in your tea cupboard. They help flush the system as a diuretic, which can relieve fluid retention, bladder infections, and even kidney stones. It gently awakens the lymphatic system as well, helping to flush the kidneys and clear out waste.

Chlorophyll

It’s extremely important to hydrate immediately upon waking (after tongue scraping and oil pulling) because we lose so much water when we sleep and wake up incredibly dehydrated. Spike your morning glass (at least 16oz, but a liter is ideal) with lemon juice, or opt for a tablespoon of liquid chlorophyll for an easy way to access the benefits of a ton of rich, leafy greens.

Chlorophyll is incredibly alkalizing, and also rich in oxygen which attributes to healthy blood and glowing skin. An alkaline body encourages the prompt removal of toxins, balances our pH, and reinforces our immune response.

Milk Thistle

Take capsules with your breakfast, or drop a tincture into 2 oz of water for a quick and highly absorbable way to get milk thistle extract into your system. It stimulates the liver, helping it to function optimally, which is especially great around our menstrual cycle to remove excess estrogen, or if we’ve had a few too many drinks the night before.

Matcha or Green Tea

Green tea is a powerful source of l-theanine and antioxidants that gently detox the body of heavy metals and waste. Matcha is the most potent source, which is also a great source of chlorophyll. Froth up some ceremonial grade matcha with your milk of choice for a delicious and comforting morning elixir.

Probiotics

When our gut is functioning optimally, our body has a better chance of absorbing nutrients as well as getting rid of toxins and waste. That’s why it’s so important to nurture our gut flora by taking a daily probiotic, as well as eating lots of fermented foods.

Stretch

Don’t forget to bust out your trusty yoga mat and get moving! Stretching and breathing exercises awaken the body, lube up the joints, and open up passageways for natural detoxification. Think of it as a tune-up to get your body doing what it’s meant to, in beautifully fluid working order. Flexibility is strength and wellness, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Wake up your body with a rich and luxurious morning stretch and notice the difference immediately.