Detox is a huge buzz word right now. But what exactly does it mean and why is it so important?
Let’s tackle a few things before we dive into this super easy and simple recipe for your kids (and you!).
Why do we need to detox?
THE TOXIC BUCKET
There are a couple of analogies that I love to share with my team and clients but my favorite is the toxic bucket. Use this picture as inspiration and encouragement to make some changes in your home!
We all have a “toxic bucket” in our lives. Much of the time, I hear from friends or clients that “this came out of nowhere” or “I’ve never had a problem with this before!”. Well, friend – here’s the truth. Those symptoms aren’t new and you have always had a problem with toxins. Your toxic bucket has been filling for days, weeks, months and even years. It’s just a matter of when that bucket overflows. The phthalates and fragrance in your shampoo and body wash, the chemicals in your household cleaners, the pesticides in your food, the hormone-mimicking plastics in your Tupperware…they’ve all been accumulating your whole life. And let’s be clear. We live in a more toxic environment than ANY generation has ever lived in before.
Some have a toxic bucket that is overloaded on the first day of life with toxins passed down during pregnancy and exposure to medications or shots. Others may not see symptoms until years later. Regardless, your toxic bucket is filling if you are not actively working against keeping that load down.
CURRENT STATE OF THE UNION
The American Autoimmune Related Disease Association, Inc estimates that over 50 million Americans are dealing with autoimmune disorders. And that number is rising at an alarming rate.
Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) has even suggested a ban on endocrine disrupting chemicals may be needed to protect the health of future generations. Their research is one of the most comprehensive studies on different disrupting chemicals to date.
According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of developing cancer was 40 percent in men and nearly 37 percent in women as of 2014. Their global cancer facts and figures suggest this number will grow to 50 percent by 2030. Uhhhhh, are we actually absorbing this information?! That is 1 in TWO!
Fragrance is a 100% unregulated and dangerous “ingredient” that a company can use to put whatever they want in a product. Fragrance is found in nearly every personal care product. It can often be a chemical cocktail, and as soon as you smell it, you have already been exposed with those chemicals circulating into your bloodstream.
Anne Steinemann, Ph.D., at the University of Washington, professor of civil and environmental engineering and public affairs, has been diving into research focused on what chemicals are in our laundry cleaning products, air fresheners, cleaners, lotions, and other fragranced consumer products.
One study from 2011 found these startling results.
- More than 600 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were emitted, and only two of those compounds were listed on any associated material safety data sheet. None of the chemicals were listed on any of the 25 product labels.
- Two of the VOCs (acetaldehyde and benzene) are considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be carcinogenic and unsafe at ANY exposure level.
- Seven of the VOCs are classified as “hazardous air pollutants.”
- The highest concentration of emitted VOCs was acetaldehyde, acetone and ethanol.
- Only 25 percent of the VOCs were classified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws.
Virtually none of the VOCs detected in her study were listed on product labels or the product’s material data safety sheet. Instead, labels listed only general categories, such as “biodegradable surfactants,” “softeners” or “perfume.” Even more disturbing, the “greener” products were just as bad, if not worse, than the conventional products.
WHAT DO WE DO?
So what can you do for your precious children? I hate to say it, but I believe our kids are the “canary in the coal mine” and they are being used as a scientific experiment. With autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies, and many other childhood diseases on the rise, we have to be proactive instead of reactive.
Eliminate harmful chemicals from your home. It’s a non-negotiable, especially based on what you read above! It’s simple and there really is no excuse to not make this change. While I used many companies like The Honest Company and Seventh Generation for years, I now know that they are part of the “greenwashing” that is happening with their ingredients still being filled with toxic chemicals. HERE is what I now use for my family. It not only does NOT have toxic chemicals but even has health benefits for my family with plant-based essential oils.
Eat organic and non-processed foods. It’s hard but it’s worth it. Remember that their toxic bucket is always being poured into and you have to be the gatekeeper to manage that load. We cannot control things like pesticides in the air or the perfume that’s in their friend’s hairspray or the EMF around them. But we CAN control their diet and what is in our home. Start there.
Provide ways for their body to detox and keep their cells healthy. Sounds weird to talk about cellular health, but you have to realize that these toxins are causing inflammation and mutation on the cellular level. It sounds serious because it is. Start with the detox bath here a couple of times a week. This is great for YOU and your kids of any age.
WHY DETOX BATH SALTS
Try to do this at least twice a week for your family. The epsom salts are a combination of magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function, and helping to prevent artery hardening. Sulfates help improve the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins, and help ease migraine headaches. While I love all the benefits of soaking in an Epsom salt bath, the detox benefits are my favorite!
A fabulous article by SaltWorks describes it well. “The sulfates in Epsom salt help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. Your skin is a highly porous membrane and adding the right minerals to your bathwater triggers a process called reverse osmosis, which actually pulls salt out of your body, and harmful toxins along with it.”
The baking soda gives the toxins something to bind to so your body won’t reabsorb the toxins that you’ve just flushed out.
The Frankincense and Lavender help to support your body on the cellular level while supporting better sleep, mood, and immunity.
RECIPE
- 1 Cup Epsom Salts
- ¼ Cup Baking Soda
- 2 Drops Frankincense
- 2 Drops Lavender
Directions: Put the essential oils directly into the salts before adding them to the bath. Mix together all the ingredients and mix them into the water for a couple of minutes before getting in.
**I love to diffuse my kid’s favorite oils while letting them relax in the bath. If they are not used to it, then I’ll bring the computer in and let them watch a short show. I also provide a large glass of cool water while they soak to keep them hydrated and keep the lymph moving while they are in their detox bath.
**Please do not run to the grocery store to get essential oils. You can hear more about my story HERE, but it would be terrible to be adding synthetic fragrance into the bath while trying to help reduce their toxic load. They are our favorite health tool, and I would never want to direct you to a synthetic and harmful brand.
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