While we tend to think of spring as the quintessential time for cleansing (think spring cleaning, spring yard sales, spring detox)— autumn is actually the more appropriate season to think about purging the old. Fall is a great time to shed what we don’t need and prepare our bodies and minds for winter. A fall detox cleanse will help to stave off seasonal colds, keep your immune system healthy, and prepare your organs for the colder months ahead. (And yes, it’s only September but trust us, cold season is already in full effect.)
According to traditional Ayurvedic cleansing, fall cleansing should focus on the large intestine and lungs. In both alternative and allopathic medicine, these organs are linked to skin and breathing problems like asthma, eczema, rashes and dry skin—some of the more common issues that ail us in the colder months. To support the lungs and large intestine, we recommend limiting sugars, flours, dairy and alcohol for a healthy, mucus-free throat and stomach (limiting congestion and post nasal drip).
For opening the nasal passages, warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves—the ones already used in fall baking recipes—actually support both intestinal and respiratory health. If you needed additional reasons to eat seasonally, there you are.
If you like to juice, stick with fall fruits and vegetables like beets, apples, grapes, and leafy greens. Check out Organic Authority’s Top 7 Fall Juice Recipes including Pumpkin Apple Pie, Carrots & Beets, and Pumpkin Juice Cider.
Don’t have a juicer but want all the nutrient dense goodness that homemade juice packs? Holistic health coach Jessie Rose Maher of BestKeptSelf has some great advice on Juicing without the Blender, and in 5 Minutes Flat. In her words, “Juicing is the holy grail of healthy living.”
Fall can also be a great time to start making soups, which are a great way to pack in maximum nutrients per calorie and are definitely cozier than juice when the weather gets colder. Some easy ideas include:
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Still feel like you need more cleansing this fall? While eating and drinking a little lighter will definitely help give your body the break that we all need periodically, some times it’s not enough. If you have chronic GI upset or suffer from fatigue, brain fog, headaches or poor sleep, you may need a more aggressive regimen. Food sensitivities can manifest as any of the above symptoms, or even as pain. Food elimination diets and metabolic detoxification programs like Metagenics’ Clear Change Program can help you identify sensitivities (or allergies), reset your palate and portion control and really help you tune in to how certain foods make you feel both physically and emotionally. Mention this blog for 10% off your Metagenics’ Cleanse at AWC through the end of 2014.
For more information, please email us here or call us at (843) 416-8218 to set up an appointment. We offer complimentary 15 minute consultations to discuss your health needs and pride ourselves on catering our care to best suit your individual needs. We are never too busy to help you and your loved ones.
Happy Fall and Happy Cleansing!
~ Dr. Susan Doyle
photo credit: <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmanleyort/7980411953/”>KimManleyOrt</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a>
