Fasting, Detoxing & Cleansing
How can Fasting, Detoxing & Cleansing nourish you?
Fasting, detoxing, and cleansing are holistic practices that support the body’s natural ability to eliminate waste, rebalance metabolism and restore vitality. While the liver, kidneys, digestive tract, skin and lymphatic system continuously detoxify on their own, modern lifestyles can challenge these pathways through stress, environmental exposure, dietary factors, medications and disrupted sleep patterns. These approaches aim to gently reduce burden on the body, optimise elimination, and create the internal conditions for physical and emotional clarity.
Traditional cultures and modern TCIH systems alike — including Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and contemporary nutrition sciences — view cleansing as a way to “reset” digestion, enhance agni (digestive fire), support liver detoxification, balance inflammatory responses and regulate the nervous system. Evidence suggests targeted nutritional programs may upregulate Phase II detoxification enzymes [8], specific botanicals can support liver and kidney function [10], and structured dietary protocols can improve metabolic health and assist toxin clearance [9].
Rather than promoting extreme practices, integrative detoxing focuses on hydration, nourishment, gentle elimination, rest and lifestyle changes that support the body’s innate cleansing cycles with safety and sustainability.
Benefits of Fasting, Detoxing & Cleansing
Clients often seek detoxification practices to regain energy, improve digestion, reduce bloating, and reconnect with a sense of mental clarity and emotional balance. A well-guided cleanse may support improved bowel regularity, clearer skin, better sleep and a renewed sense of lightness and wellbeing.
Emerging research suggests potential physiological benefits: structured nutritional detox programs have demonstrated improved antioxidant balance and enhanced Phase II liver enzyme activity [8]; plant-derived phytochemicals (such as milk thistle, burdock, dandelion root and triphala) may support detoxification pathways and cellular protection [10]; short-term dietary interventions can reduce toxic trace elements and support healthy body composition [9].
Therapies such as lymphatic drainage may reduce fluid retention and improve waste transport [2], while whole-body cryotherapy shows potential to reduce inflammation and enhance metabolic recovery [4]. Ayurveda’s Panchakarma programs have also shown benefits when delivered with proper preparation and post-care [7].
Overall, detoxing and cleansing can complement a holistic wellbeing plan by renewing digestive capacity, supporting metabolic balance, and creating internal space for emotional ease and mental clarity.
What to expect from a Fasting, Detoxing & Cleansing session
A detox or cleanse may be guided by a naturopath, herbalist, nutrition professional or TCIH practitioner, or delivered as a structured self-care program with professional oversight. Sessions may begin with a comprehensive assessment of diet, lifestyle, symptoms, environmental exposure and digestive health. A personalised plan may include:
- dietary adjustments (whole foods, fibre-rich meals, hydration)
- temporary removal of foods that burden digestion
- liver and lymphatic support herbs
- breathwork, gentle exercise, dry brushing or hydrotherapy
- colon hydrotherapy, where appropriate, practised safely and selectively [3]
- lymphatic drainage to support waste removal [2]
- Ayurvedic or TCM cleansing rituals tailored to the constitution [5][7]
- sleep and stress-reduction practices
Clients often feel lighter, clearer and more energised as the body recalibrates. Mild, temporary symptoms (fatigue, emotional release, changes in digestion) may occur but should ease with proper guidance and hydration. Practitioners will also provide after-care, focusing on reintroducing foods gradually, supporting microbiome balance, and maintaining lifestyle habits that nurture ongoing wellbeing.
References
1. Samekova, K., et al. Concomitant oral intake of purified clinoptilolite tuff (G-PUR) reduces enteral lead uptake in healthy humans. Scientific Reports, 11:14796; 2021.
2. De Vrieze, T., et al. Manual lymphatic drainage with or without fluoroscopy guidance did not substantially improve the effect of decongestive lymphatic therapy in people with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (EFforT-BCRL trial): a multicentre randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 68(2), 110–122; 2022.
3. Zhang, D., et al. Remedial colon hydrotherapy device enema as a salvage strategy for inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS ONE, 20(3):e0319493; 2025.
4. He, J., et al. Whole-body cryotherapy can reduce the inflammatory response in humans: a meta-analysis based on 11 randomized controlled trials. Scientific Reports, 15:7759; 2025.
5. Liu, X., et al. Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease: A study-level pooled analysis of 44 randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13:1009571; 2022.
6. Teo, W. Y., et al. Role of Alternative Medical Systems in Adult Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Systematic Review of Literature. Cureus, 14(12):e32874; 2022.
7. Sagare, S., et al. Impact of Consistent and Standardized Administration of Peyadi Samsarjana Krama in Post-Vamana-Virechana (Dietary Regimens Post Emesis and Purgation Therapies) Protocols: A Quasi-Randomized Control Trial. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 14(3):775–785.; 2024.
8. Panda, C., et al. Guided Metabolic Detoxification Program Supports Phase II Detoxification Enzymes and Antioxidant Balance in Healthy Participants. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/9/2209; 2023.
9. Jung, S., et al. Effect of toxic trace element detoxification, body fat reduction following four-week intake of the Wellnessup diet: a three-arm, randomized clinical trial. Nutrition & Metabolism, 17:47; 2020.
10. Bjørklund, G., et al. Medicinal Plant-derived Phytochemicals in Detoxification. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 30(13):988–1015; 2023.
11. Detoxificatiion. Wikepedia; 2025.