As we emerge from the coldest winter in 20 years, it’s a perfect time to start thinking about getting our bodies and minds ready for a happy and healthy spring and summer. As Naturopathic Doctors, from a Chinese Medicine perspective we think of spring as a time to support the Liver, an essential organ system when it comes to Detoxification and Allergy Prevention and Treatment.
Through the winter we’ve been doing anything we can to keep ourselves warm. We’ve been spending time inside, satisfying our carbohydrate cravings by indulging in sweets, and when conserving energy our bodies tend to hold onto fat stores and fat-soluble toxins. A spring detox is a great time to kick start the process of shedding the winter, and resetting the body to a “lighter” state. A 3 week individualized Naturopathic Physician guided detox is a safe and effective way to support the body in shedding toxins by supporting the Liver this Spring.
Many allergy sufferers we meet seem to have come to terms with the discomfort they experience for weeks or even months every spring. For many of these sufferers, there is hope. Prevention of seasonal allergies is possible with Clinical Nutrition and Botanical approaches, and if symptoms do arise there are effective non-pharmaceutical options. Supporting the Liver through a Spring Detox is one way we can support the body to break down and eliminate the allergens, and other treatments can help prevent the release of histamine, which is the main cause of allergy symptoms.
Here are a few tips for how you can support the liver and prevent allergies through simple dietary changes:
- Start the day with a large glass of water with the juice of 1/2 a Lemon – the bitter nature of lemon will stimulate detoxification of the liver, and help to move the bowels so toxins and allergens can be eliminated, daily.
- Increase allergy-prevention foods including dark berries, apples and onions – these foods contain quercetin – a bioflavonoid – which helps to prevent histamine from being released.
- Increase liver supportive foods including the cruciferous family of vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale) to promote healthy detoxification of the liver, year around.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies and would like to get started on a safe and effective plan to prevent your sneezes and sniffles this year consult a Naturopathic Doctor and feel better, sooner! Book Now
