How to Open Drainage Pathways before Detoxification

Are you feeling sluggish and drained? You may need to open drainage pathways in your body! 

Having trouble feeling energized? Experiencing hormone imbalances or difficulty losing weight? The issue might be deeper than your diet. It could be an issue with your body’s drainage system. 

Your body’s drainage pathways are essential for your overall health and wellness. It’s often described as a funnel with several layers. When any of these layers is blocked or stagnant, you can experience a wide range of symptoms. 

Drainage is important for our health and all body functions. When our drains are blocked, toxins and waste can accumulate, leading to a variety of issues. Here’s how to unclog your drainage pathways before detoxification and get back to feeling your best. 

What is Drainage?

Every healing journey starts with the same essential step: drainage. Keeping your pathways of elimination open is key to getting on the path to balance and true health. But what exactly is drainage? And why is it so important to your healing journey? 

Drainage is how your body moves fluids and gets rid of toxins, pathogen, waste, and debris. Without open pathways, toxins can’t be eliminated and instead, get recirculated in your bloodstream, leading to unwanted symptoms. So yes, drainage is a big deal when it comes to supporting your health and wellbeing. 

When we look at why drainage pathways get blocked in the first place, it’s often due to lifestyle and environmental factors. Poor sleep, processed foods, refined oils, alcohol consumption, insufficient movement, stress, poor hydration, emotional blockages, toxin burden from chemicals and cosmetics — these are all things that can lead to poor drainage and stagnation. 

To make sure drainage pathways are open and functioning, it’s helpful to think of them as a funnel. Starting from the bottom (the colon) and working your way up is the best way to ensure toxins are excreted appropriately.

Here’s what the drainage funnel looks like in order of operations: cells, organs and tissues, lymph, liver and bile ducts (with backflow of kidneys, liver, and skin), then the colon. 

How do you know if drainage pathways are blocked?

So how do you know if your drainage pathways are blocked? Ask yourself these questions: Am I pooping less than once a day? Am I experiencing poor sleep, unable to sweat, moodiness, brain fog, fluid retention, GI issues, and/or dehydration? If any of these sound familiar, your drainage pathways could be blocked and need some TLC. 

Here’s a list of more questions to explore. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you may have a blocked drainage pathway.

Find out if your drainage pathways are blocked:

• Do you have less than one bowel movement a day?
• Do you regularly experience diarrhea, constipation or bloating?
• Do you see undigested food in your stool?
• Have you had your gallbladder removed?
• Do you have pain in your upper right quadrant?
• Do you experience horrible hangovers after drinking?
• Do you get anxious after drinking caffeine?
• Do you have cellulite or lumps?
• Do you have brain fog?
• Do you have memory issues or recurrant headaches?

Drainage Before Detoxification

It’s important to remember that before diving into any detoxification process, drainage pathways need to be opened first. Without open pathways, instances of Herxheimer reactions are more likely to occur. Herxheimer reactions are die-off symptoms that come about when mobilized toxins have nowhere to go and are reabsorbed. 

There’s no better time than now to give your drainage pathways the attention and love they deserve. Start by making simple lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep, eating whole foods, and drinking enough water, and enough of the right water). Before supplementing with herbs and adaptogenic plants make sure you are getting in daily movement. And always make sure to give yourself quality self-care. 

The concept of drainage was popularized by supplement companies, but the truth is that they are our body’s natural pathways of detoxification. The thing is, that these days our bodies are incredibly overwhelmed with toxins (both from the environment, and internally created because of sub-optimal food and/or microbiome).

Many people with chronic health issues will need some extra support in detoxification, particularly when dealing with environmental toxins and “stealth pathogens”. However, the first step is addressing the natural pathways we have for detoxification, otherwise known as drainage pathways.

Here’s how to address each of the drainage pathways.

Colon Drainage Pathway

Are you struggling with constipation? It could be your body’s way of telling you that your colon needs some extra love! Here’s how to open up the colon drainage pathway and get your digestive system back on track. 

Start by getting your fluids in. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day, and add a pinch of sea salt for an extra boost of minerals. 

Then, focus on fiber-rich foods. A variety of fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, are great sources of fiber that help to keep your colon flushed out. 

In addition to eating the right foods, don’t forget the importance of movement. Walking, in particular, is great for getting your digestion moving. 

Finally, magnesium is a must! Magnesium is our relaxation mineral, and because of our stressed out lifestyle many of us burn through our stores very fast. Magnesium can help reduce constipation and soothe your GI tract.

Bowel supportive herbs can also be added to your routine. Aloe, burdock, wormwood and senna leaf are all good options to support your colon and keep your poops regular. You can also take aloe vera, but start with a smaller dose and work your way up. Please consult a practitioner before beginning a supplement regimen.

By incorporating these tips into your routine, you can help ensure that your colon is well supported and your body is drainning toxins properly.

Liver Drainage Pathway

Do you often suffer from fatigue, skin issues, or mood swings? If so, your liver could be blocked and in need of some TLC! 

It’s time to take a closer look at your liver’s role in removing toxins from your body. Your liver works hard to store bile and helps metabolize toxins and excess hormones that accumulate in it. But, when these bile ducts become clogged, the toxins don’t get removed and can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. 

Signs of a Blocked Liver Pathway

Here are some common signs that your liver and bile ducts are blocked: acne, fatigue, low libido, headaches, mood swings, kidney dysfunction, high cholesterol, elevated liver enzymes, sleep issues, and chemical and alcohol sensitivities. 

So, how do you go about unblocking your liver and supporting your bile drainage? We’ve got some tips for you! Foods like beets, cruciferous vegetables, and dark leafy greens can support the process.

Eating liver organ meat can help replenish nutrients your liver needs. Coffee enemas, castor oil packs, and certain herbs can help detox the liver. Additionally, drinking plenty of structured water is one of the best ways to flush out toxins. 

Finally, if your liver/bile ducts are blocked and toxins can’t be removed, they will go to your kidneys, skin, and lungs, resulting in itchy skin, acne, and increased inflammation. The best course of action is to ensure your colon pathway is open and you are pooping regularly. 

The liver plays an important role in keeping your body healthy, so make sure to give it the attention it needs. Take the steps to support your liver and bile drainage, and you’ll soon be on the road to feeling great again!

Lymphatic Drainage

Unclogging your lymphatic system is an essential part of keeping your body functioning optimally. Here we offer several ways to get your lymphatic system flowing freely and reduce those pesky toxins!

The key to getting lymph flowing is movement- all types of movement. This is because the lympatic system does not have its own pump, it relies on your daily movement. Stagnation is where you will find pain.

Make sure you’re staying hydrated! Drinking plenty of water is key for keeping your lymphatic system in its prime. You can also add some herbal supports like Dandelion, Goldenseal, and Astragalus to promote lymph movement.

A fun addition to your self-care routine is a luxurious hot bath or infrared sauna session. The heat helps your body sweat out the toxins while supporting circulation. Epsom salts added to the water can help further draw out impurities.

Dry brushing is an excellent way to give your lymphatic system a boost. Start from your feet and brush slowly towards your heart. But know that this is mostly for the superficial lymph.

To really get great lymph flow, you can also try rebounding. This is a form of exercise on a trampoline that helps strengthen your lymph movement (and one of my personal favorites that is also excellent for children). Lastly, vibration plates are a great tool to help stimulate your lymphatic system.

Tired of feeling puffiness and poor circulation? Incorporate some of these lymphatic system helpers into your routine and get flowing!

Organ Drainage

One of the most important steps is to support your organs and tissues. This is the second to last layer of the drainage funnel. Signs of stagnation here include fatigue, headaches, food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, poor sleep, and mood swings. 

To keep your organs and tissues functioning smoothly, there are a few things you can do. First, be sure to eat nutrient-dense foods. This will provide your body with the nourishment it needs.

Next, make sure you’re properly hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential for optimal health.

Finally, make sure you get enough sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours a night. To make the most of your sleep, try to implement sleep hygiene – turn off electronics and wear blue blockers in the evening after sunset. 

Cell Drainage

Our cells are the top of the drainage funnel! Have you ever thought about how our cells make energy? Mitochondria, the powerhouse of our cells, is the key. ATP is produced through this process, and it’s essential for our health and wellbeing. 

But what can slow this process down? Chemicals, toxins, parasites, viruses, fungi, heavy metals, poor dietary choices, inflammation, and poor detoxification all impact how efficiently our cells work. 

So how do we support our cells? It’s actually simpler than you think! To nourish your body at a cellular level, focus on a few key things.

Incorporating a nutrient-dense whole food diet can help with blood sugar regulation, while drinking plenty of water and taking cold showers are essential for hydration.

Regular HIIT training and stress reducing activities such as meditation and journaling can also make a big difference.

Finally, make sure to minimize your toxin exposure and get sufficient sleep each night. Sleep is essential for your glymphatic system (lympatics of the brain) to work properly. Supplements may also be needed, depending on your individual needs. 

Supporting your cells doesn’t have to be complicated – just use these steps and watch your energy levels skyrocket!

The GAPS Approach to Drainage

As you can see, a lot of the support for your drainage pathways is really the basics of health: sleep, movement, hydration and a healthy diet.

The GAPS approach is more holistic, as all of the pathways are supported concurrently. The emphasis on a nutrient dense diet supports all pathways.

The emphasis on broth and meat stock is excellent for hydration, which again supports your natural detoxification.

Detox baths, with epsom salt, are a critical part of the GAPS nutritional protocol, and support your liver and your lymphatic system by helping you increase sulpher and sweating.

In sum, if you decide to implement the GAPS diet, you don’t need to worry about opening drainage pathways. By following the diet as outlined in the books, you will be doing many of these suggestions without extra effort.

Drainage Pathways Summary

Drainage is an essential step in the healing journey, supporting overall detoxification and processes of the body. With the right lifestyle, diet and supplements, you can make sure your pathways are clear and open so you can get on the path to true health.

Start with the top layer of your drainage funnel — your lifestyle. Aim to eat whole, nutrient-dense foods, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep. You should also attempt to minimize stress, engage in regular exercise and avoid overstimulation from electronics. 

Next, move down the drainage funnel and focus on your colon, liver, and other organs and tissues. Signs of stagnation include fatigue, headaches, food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, difficulty losing weight, poor sleep, and mood swings. To support and open these drainage pathways, focus on nutrient-dense food, hydration, and optimal sleep.

Finally, the bottom layers of your drainage funnel — your lymphatic system and cells, specifically the mitochondria. The lymphatic system is responsible for clearing fluids and waste from the body. You can help support this system by increasing your activity levels, dry brushing, and incorporating lymphatic drainage massage into your routine. Circadian syncing may be another excellent way to support your mitochondia.

By optimizing your drainage pathways, you can improve the overall health of your body. So take the time to focus on your drainage and you’ll be feeling energized in no time!

For personalized support on drainage and all of the techniques, tools and supplements listed in this article, work with a qualified practitioner. Click the button to book a connection call and we can get the ball rolling together!

References

Jessen, N. A., Munk, A. S., Lundgaard, I., & Nedergaard, M. (2015). The Glymphatic System: A Beginner’s Guide. Neurochemical research, 40(12), 2583–2599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-015-1581-6

Vargas-Pozada, E. E., & Muriel, P. (2020). Herbal medicines for the liver: from bench to bedside. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 32(2), 148–158. https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0000000000001485

Wiig, H., & Swartz, M. A. (2012). Interstitial fluid and lymph formation and transport: physiological regulation and roles in inflammation and cancer. Physiological reviews, 92(3), 1005–1060. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00037.2011

Yang, J., Wang, H. P., Zhou, L., & Xu, C. F. (2012). Effect of dietary fiber on constipation: a meta analysis. World journal of gastroenterology, 18(48), 7378–7383. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v18.i48.7378

Zolkipli-Cunningham, Z., & Falk, M. J. (2017). Clinical effects of chemical exposures on mitochondrial function. Toxicology, 391, 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2017.07.009