Springtime is the season for cleansing, rejuvenation and new growth. Within your environment, cleansing can begin with clearing the clutter, deep cleaning your home, re-organizing or redecorating your personal space. New growth might begin within your garden, removing winter debris and planting new seeds and seedlings.  
New growth may also begin within yourself, with renewed commitment or transformation of ongoing goals, or inspired new beginnings. To make room for new growth, let go of those emotions, thought patterns, and habits that no longer serve you. Rituals such as a fire ceremony can help you release the old. In this ceremony, you identify and write those limiting factors on a piece of paper which you then burn. You can utilize individualized flower essence formulas to give you a boost in doing so.

On the level of your physical body, cleansing may involve dietary change or the use of nutrients, herbs and strategies to cleanse toxins from your body and optimize the function of your organs of detoxification... the skin, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys, the intestines.  

Depending on your individual preference and lifestyle, your naturopathic doctor may recommend everything from dandelion root tea to liver cleansing capsules to castor oil packs over the liver for liver cleansing. We may recommend dry skin brushing or Epsom salt baths for the skin, herbs and increased fiber for the intestines, and breathing exercises for the lungs. Dietarily, we may choose juice fasting or metabolic cleansing products in shake form, or simply dietary modifications with enzymatic support. 

Our programs can be as simple or comprehensive as you want them to be. Any cleansing, however basic, is a step in the right direction. And springtime is the time to do it.

Doing a spring cleanse is a great way to wipe the slate clean and build a strong foundation for health. Because of the liver's influence on estrogen, a cleanse focused on detoxifying the liver is especially healthful for women looking to optimize their reproductive health and balance their hormones. When the liver is overburdened by toxins from food or the environment, it cannot effectively metabolize estrogen. This can lead to a state in the body called estrogen dominance.  Estrogen dominance is prevalent in women living in our industrialized and modern world, and is associated with conditions such as breast cancer, PMS, headaches, menopausal symptoms, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and painful periods.

In naturopathic medicine, the cornerstone therapy for prevention and treatment of conditions associated with estrogen dominance is liver cleansing. In cleansing, we support the liver with nutrients essential to major detoxification pathways. This enables the liver to eliminate toxins from the body. During and after a cleanse, the liver metabolizes estrogen more effectively, resulting in hormonal balance.  

To start cleansing and supporting your liver, increase your consumption of liver-supportive foods like green leafy vegetables, beets, artichokes, onions, garlic and orange-colored vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are also high in fiber, which promotes elimination of toxins from bile through bowel movements, and in vitamins and minerals that support the liver's detoxification pathways. Enhance your liver health by adding these vegetables to your meals this spring.

For a deeper and more profound cleanse, consult with your Naturopathic Doctor to create a personalized approach that is specific to your present needs. Now is the perfect time to phone Pacific Naturopathic to schedule an appointment to begin this spring feeling cleansed, refreshed and balanced.

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Approximately 20 percent of people are affected by allergies. They are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to allergens, which are divided into four main categories: pollens, insects, animal dander and molds. Along with working with your doctor, identifying allergic triggers and avoiding them is the most reliable way to treat seasonal allergies.  

At home, the best ways to decrease allergens is to keep a clean house. Dust mites live on the floor, on surfaces as well as in bedding. Regular dusting and vacuuming with a HEPA filter, as well as removal of carpet in the bedroom will greatly reduce dust mites. Encasing mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, using finely woven bedding and washing sheets weekly is helpful. Upholstered furniture is more allergenic compared to leather or wood. If pet dander is a trigger, avoid pets with feathers or fur in the home. If you have an indoor pet, keep them out of the bedroom and cover air ducts that lead to the bedroom with filters. Avoid mold allergens by fixing water leaks, reducing indoor humidity to less than 50%, cleaning moldy surfaces with a dilute bleach solution and limiting houseplants. Dehumidifiers can also help with mold problems. An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, so keeping windows shut and clean can help reduce indoor pollen. HEPA air filters or running the air conditioner and regularly cleaning the filter is very helpful in riding indoor air of allergens.

Consider environments outside of the home as well: classrooms and cars can be prime allergy locations. Keep cars clean and vacuumed; turn on the air conditioner or heater before getting into the car and travel with the windows up. Outdoor air quality is typically better in the morning and in the evening.

There are several options for treating allergies if symptoms persist. Antihistamines and decongestants are the most common medications used for allergies. Though useful, antihistamines can cause drowsiness, and decongestants may actually worsen nose stuffiness if used for more than 3 days. Allergy shots may be helpful for those with severe allergies, but the best treatment is still identifying and avoiding your child's allergy triggers. Twice daily nasal irrigation with a neti pot or saline rinse has been shown to significantly reduce allergy symptoms. Over the counter Similasan Allergy Eye Relief drops are also helpful for itchy eyes. Dietary changes may be useful: avoiding dairy can thin nasal secretions, and in some children, avoidance of gluten or other foods can decrease hyperactive immune response to allergens. Several herbal medicines have also been studied and shown to help with allergy symptoms.

A hundred years ago, radiation exposure wasn't even a concept in our health consciousness. That's not the case in our modern environment. We are constantly exposed to cancer-causing radiation from medical procedures, television and computer screens, cell phones, airplane flights, cosmic rays and other natural and man-made materials in our environment.

An easy skin cleanse was developed by Dr. Hazel Parcells, a leading researcher in the field of detoxification and energy healing. Her work has changed the lives of many, who credit her with their renewed health. This amazing teacher and practitioner lived and continued her research until she passed away at the age of 106.

Dr. Parcells recommends a highly alkaline salt and soda soak to help neutralize the effects of radiation. Place 2 pounds of salt with 2 pounds of baking soda in a hot bath and soak for 20 minutes, until the water cools. That's all there is to it.  
This simple soak will help cleanse your skin and keep the rest of your body healthy.