Get To Know Your Detox Organs And How To Support Them
Your body is designed to detox every single day. We have an entire network of detox organs and systems working around the clock to protect you from the buildup of toxins that come from food, water, air, stress, and daily living.
So I thought what better way to kick off our detox week than with a guide walking through each key detox organ, with a little practitioner advice on food, herb, and lifestyle habits you can make to support them.
1. The Liver – The Master Filter
The liver is one of your hardest-working organs. It breaks down hormones, alcohol, medications, and environmental toxins, turning them into forms your body can safely eliminate.
It’s a resilient organ too, able to bounce back in tough conditions. If 70% of your liver was extracted, the leftover liver tissue can actually regenerate and restore the liver's function - amazing right?
Support Your Liver With:
Food: Bitter greens (rocket, dandelion leaves), beetroot, garlic, cruciferous veg (broccoli, cauliflower)
Herbs: Milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root
Lifestyle: Avoid alcohol and ultra-processed foods; eat meals at regular times; try castor oil packs or gentle intermittent fasting to reduce liver load
2. The Kidneys – Filtration and Fluid Balance
Your kidneys filter around 200 litres of blood every single day!
The kidneys filter your blood and remove water-soluble waste products through urine. They're essential for regulating fluid balance and clearing out toxins.
Support Your Kidneys With:
Food: Cucumber, watermelon, parsley, cranberries
Herbs: Nettle leaf, corn silk, cleavers
Lifestyle: Stay well hydrated, limit salt and caffeine, avoid holding in urine, and use gentle movement to stimulate circulation
3. The Colon – Your Daily Rubbish Removal
The colon hosts approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, making it one of the most densely populated microbial ecosystems.
The colon (large intestine) is your body’s bin. It eliminates solid waste and toxins filtered out by the liver and digestive system. A sluggish colon = toxin build-up.
Support Your Colon With:
Food: Fibre-rich foods like chia seeds, oats, flaxseeds, leafy greens
Herbs: Aloe vera, slippery elm, psyllium husk
Lifestyle: Drink enough water, stay active daily, and eat slowly and mindfully to improve digestion
4. The Lymphatic System – Your Street Sweeper
This fluid network clears waste from your tissues and immune system. But unlike your blood, which has the heart to help pump your lymphatic system relies on movement, gravity, and breathing to circulate lymph fluid.
Support Your Lymph With:
Food: Raw fruits (especially citrus and berries), leafy greens, seaweed
Herbs: Cleavers, red clover, calendula
Lifestyle: Dry brushing, rebounding (mini-trampoline), regular walks, deep belly breathing, lymphatic drainage massage
5. The Skin – Your Second Liver
Covering approximately 20 square feet in adults, your skin is your largest organ. Through sweat, your skin eliminates waste and helps regulate temperature. If your internal systems are overloaded, your skin can show it - think acne, rashes, or dullness.
Support Your Skin With:
Food: Omega-3s (flax, walnuts, salmon), vitamin C-rich foods (kiwi, oranges, red peppers)
Herbs: Burdock root, chamomile, calendula
Lifestyle: Epsom salt baths, saunas, gentle exfoliation, switching to non-toxic skincare products
6. The Lungs – A Breath of Fresh Air
70% of waste is eliminated through your lungs just by breathing. Your lungs remove carbon dioxide and filter pollutants you breathe in. They’re especially affected by indoor air quality, stress, and poor posture.
Support Your Lungs With:
Food: Garlic, onions, apples, turmeric, ginger
Herbs: Mullein, thyme, licorice root
Lifestyle: Practice deep breathing exercises, spend time in fresh air, avoid smoking or artificial fragrances, and open your windows daily
7. The Digestive System – Processing and Eliminating Toxins
Your digestive system is a powerhouse, your body can move your food through the digestive system even while you are standing on your head because it works with muscles - no wonder a big meal is a work-out to digest!
From your stomach to your intestines, this system breaks down food and ensures waste products are moved along efficiently.
Support Your Digestion With:
Food: Fermented foods (yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir), bone broth, papaya
Herbs: Peppermint, fennel, ginger
Lifestyle: Chew thoroughly, eat sitting down, don’t overeat, reduce stress before meals
8. The Mind – The Overlooked Detox Tool
During sleep, the brain's glymphatic system becomes more active, clearing out toxins and waste products.
Chronic stress, negative thinking, and emotional suppression can have a huge impact on how well your body detoxifies. Cortisol affects digestion, immunity, and hormone balance.
Support Your Mind With:
Food: Magnesium-rich foods (dark chocolate, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds)
Herbs: Lemon balm, oat straw
Lifestyle: Journaling, meditation, therapy, nature walks, social connection
Final Thoughts: Work With Your Body, Not Against It
Your body is incredibly wise and capable of self-healing when we give it the tools and space it needs. By gently supporting each part of your detox network, you can improve your energy, digestion, skin, mood and sleep.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight, just start small and stay consistent. The more you learn to understand and support your body, the better you’ll feel in the long run.
More detox tips to come!