In order to support the body during the GAPS die off period, it is important to gently detox to help eliminate toxins and promote healing. When going through the introduction stage of the GAPS diet, die off symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and skin flare ups are part of the healing process. Gently detoxing can help with these symptoms whilst continuing to aid healing.
How to Gently Detox
With my son, who is ten, I have found a number of ways to support his body gently so not to over-burden him. It is important that he is supported emotionally as well as physically whilst his body is repairing. Sometimes he is overwhelmed with big emotional outbursts that are linked to his condition.
Detox Baths
One of the easiest and most effective ways to detox is by having a daily bath, so simple right! My son soaks for around an hour a day in the tub, which he massively enjoys. To gently detox I add a variety of things to the water, on rotation.
- Epsom Salt
- Magnesium Flakes
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Bentonite Clay
- Bicarbonate of Soda
Each of these help gently detoxify internally whilst also offering external relief from the itching that accompanies his eczema.
Dry Brushing
Prior to bathing, I dry brush my son’s body. Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It helps detoxify the skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage. By unclogging pores, it’s easier for the body to sweat and eliminate toxins in your system.
Dry brushing is another super quick way the gently detox. It takes two to three minutes to dry brush the body and open the detoxifying pathways.
I use this brush which is made from waxed beech wood, naturally black horse hair bristles and extra fine bronze wire.
Natural Skincare
My son doesn’t use any form of soap or shampoo to wash himself. He is perfectly clean and sweet smelling from the daily detox baths. To alleviate his itchy skin, I use a tallow based cream.
This cream provides natural relief for my son’s skin and is loaded with vitamins A, D & K as well as antioxidants. It is free from paraffin and chemical preservatives and only made from organic and natural fats.
Daily Walks
My son spends time outside every day, whatever the weather. Sometimes it’s only ten minutes if the weather is disagreeable. Any outside time is time well spent, there are a number of benefits.
- Better breathing
- Improved sleep
- Mental clarity
- Boosted immune function
- Protection from eye problems
- Emotional wellbeing
Non-toxic Cleaners
As well as specifically supporting my son to gently detox, it is also important to ensure his environment is clean. Household cleaners can contain toxic chemicals which should be avoided as they can cause harm.
I make a non-toxic household cleaner to ensure my son does not have outside toxins building upon and overloading him. The cleaner works brilliantly and can be used to clean everything. It is a simple mix of citrus fruit peel – they all work: lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, covered in white vinegar and left to merge for a couple of weeks. When drained, the cleaner smells of citrus fruit, cleans brilliantly and is entirely safe to use.
Clean Air
We use Air Doctors in our kitchen and in my son’s bedroom. The air purifier has a HEPA filter and removes over 99.997% of particulate that are at least 0.3 microns in size. This means dust, smoke, mould, bacteria and some viruses are all removed from the air silently.
Air purifiers can help deal with eczema symptoms, as there is less dust and bacteria in the air, the itchy symptoms are lessened.
After using the air purifier for a month, it is clear to see just how dirty our ‘clean’ air is.
Can I just gently detox and not follow the GAPS protocol?
In a word… NO!
Gently detoxing is to be used in addition to following the GAPS protocol. Healing can only happen internally through the gut healing and working properly. This takes time and perseverance to achieve full and total health. Whilst a gentle detox may help alleviate some of the symptoms, it in no way replaces the GAPS protocol.