Detox Pathways 101 How Your Body Takes Out the Trash

Detoxing is all the rage, and for good reason. None of us want a bunch of toxic gunk hanging around in our bodies, so let’s take out the trash, right? But what happens when the door is jammed and we just keep piling up the garbage? A mess, that’s what. And that’s what happens in our bodies when we detox without clearing our drainage pathways first.

Our bodies naturally detoxify, but when the exit pathways get blocked, our bodies can’t do their job and we end up feeling blocked, sluggish, stuck, and icky. In this blog, we’ll travel where way too many detox plans unfortunately never tread and explore what needs to be the first step before we enter the land of detox – clearing our drainage pathways to support an easygoing, steady stream of release.

So, What Are the Detox Pathways?

Car exhaust, pesticides on food, plastics in shampoo, artificial sweeteners, heavy metals in water and medicines, and the list goes on. If you live in this world, you’re exposed to toxins. And if you looked at a map of the inside of your body, you would see a network of organs connected by pathways, all working together to manage and get rid of the junk our bodies absorb every day. The main organs and systems keeping things moving are the liver, kidneys, skin, and the digestive and lymphatic systems. Let's get to know them all a little better.

Lymphatic System

Our lymphatic system is like our body’s cleanup crew, working alongside our blood to keep things flowing. It moves toxins and waste through a network of vessels and nodes so they can be filtered out by our liver and kidneys. Unlike blood, it doesn’t have a pump. It depends on our movement and breathing to keep going. (1) When it slows down (thanks to stress, poor diet, or sitting too much), you might notice swelling, fatigue, or even joint pain. The good news? Simple habits like regular movement, hydration, and deep breathing can make a big difference.

Want to learn more? We’ve got you (and the lymphatic system) covered in this blog!

Liver

Think of your liver as the body’s main filter. It takes in toxins from food, alcohol, and the environment and makes them safe to remove. When it’s overloaded or lacking nutrients, those toxins—and even extra hormones—can get stuck, leading to fatigue, headaches, and hormone imbalances. Supporting your liver with nutrient-rich foods and reducing stress helps keep everything flowing smoothly. (2) (3) (4)

Kidneys

Our kidneys are tiny but mighty. They filter our blood, remove toxins, and balance fluids every single day. When they’re dehydrated or stressed, things slow down, leading to brain fog, fatigue, or even kidney stones. Staying hydrated and keeping electrolytes in check gives them the power to keep everything flowing smoothly. Doing our best to be less stressed can really help our kidneys do their job too – check out this blog for some stress support. (5)

Gut

Our gut works hand-in-hand with our liver to keep detox pathways clear. A healthy gut and balanced microbiome help break down and flush out toxins, while a stressed gut from processed foods can lead to bloating, gas, and even mood issues. Nourishing your gut with whole foods and fiber supports the entire detox process. (7)

Skin

Sweating is one of our body’s best detox tools. It’s a natural way to flush out what we don’t need and yet another reason why movement is medicine. When we exercise, we’re not just working our muscles; we’re helping our bodies clear out toxins. Saunas and steam baths can give that process an extra boost, too.

And here’s the thing: if our detox pathways are clogged, our skin will let us know. Rashes, itchiness, and breakouts are often our body’s SOS signal, trying to push toxins out when the inside is backed up. Want to dig deeper? Check out our blog on what your skin might be trying to tell you.

Signs Detox Pathways are Blocked

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Ongoing fatigue
• Feeling weak and depleted
• Swelling and joint pain
• Muscle spasms
• Sleep struggles
• Irritability
• Depression
• Recurring constipation or diarrhea
• Persistent rashes or breakouts
• Painful or irregular periods
• Inability to concentrate
• Getting sick often

(1) (6)

How to Keep Detox Pathways Flowing

• Movement, movement, movement! Nothing clogs the pipes more than sitting still all day. It doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym every day. Short dance breaks, a walk around the block, or shaking and jumping can do wonders. Tapping, patting, and self-massage are great for encouraging flow. Even deep breathing for 5-10 minutes can help get things moving. Consistency is more important than intensity.

• Hydrate. Water and electrolytes are essential for healthy detox!

• Eat clean. Perfection is not the goal and putting pressure on ourselves is more stress we don’t need. But the better we eat, the less junk our bodies have to deal with. Go for organic, whole, and locally grown, and avoid processed foods when possible. Some foods especially supportive to clear detox paths are broccoli, cabbage, beets, blueberries, green tea, citrus, leafy greens, and fatty fish. (8)

• Lymphatic care. Keeping the lymph flowing is crucial. These tools can help:

• Dry brushing your skin. Go easy on your sweet skin, friends. The lymph is right beneath our skin, so it only takes a light touch to do a lot of good.

• Contrasting showers (especially after dry brushing). Alternating between hot and cold helps everything flow better.

• Rebounding -- basically, bouncing on a trampoline – is amazing for getting the lymph moving. (9)

• Exercise! Yes, we said it again. It’s that important.

• Massaging with Lymphatic Cream

Herbs to Support Clear Detox Pathways

Isn’t it great to know that when we need some extra support, we can find it in our own backyards? Some of the most helpful herbs for helping keep our detox pathways flowing are right outside your door. And if foraging is not for you, many are available in bulk at our store or can be found online. They can be brewed into teas and infused into tinctures, and if life has you too busy for all that, we’ve already done the work for you. These are some of our favorites:

Dandelion Root. We’re in luck – this plant we all know so well is one of the best herbs for supporting natural detox. You’ll find it in our Liver Love, Pain Potion, Energy Plus, and UT Relief formulas.

Milk Thistle. Another common weed that’s abundantly available and super supportive for our liver and gallbladder. We include it in our Candida Cleanse, Liver Love, and Thyroid Support.

Burdock Root. An herb related to the sunflower that helps flush toxins from our system. Found in our Super Foods Powder and Lymphatic Cream.

Nettle. One of nature’s most nourishing supporters that also helps keep things flowing. We include this wonder weed in many of our formulas, including Mood Support Tea, Energy Plus, Sinus Saver, and Nourish Her Naturally.

Yellow Dock. A detox hero found in our Energy Plus and Detox Defense tinctures.

(10) (11)

You’ve Got This

Your body is designed to heal, cleanse, and thrive—it just needs the right support. Clearing and caring for your drainage pathways isn’t about doing something extreme; it’s about giving your body the space and tools to do what it already knows how to do. Every small step—whether it’s drinking more water, moving a little each day, or adding nourishing foods—makes a big difference over time. So start simple, stay consistent, and trust the process. When your pathways flow freely, you’ll feel lighter, clearer, and more energized. You’ve got this—your body is on your side!

Disclaimer - This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services and its statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider regarding a specific medical condition.

Sources:

1. https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/detoxification/the-lymphatic-system-and-your-health/
2. https://thepeakspa.com/liver-detoxification-pathways-and-glutathione/
3. https://integrative.ca/blog/3-phases-detoxification
4. https://thewomenswellnesscollective.com/journal/2020/11/4/liver-love-for-hormone-balance
5. https://mosaicdx.com/resource/kidney-the-often-forgotten-part-of-detoxification/
6. https://gutrestorationexpert.com/post/the-detox-pathways
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9542931/
8. https://www.greatlifechiro.com/36-foods-that-help-detox-and-cleanse-your-entire-body/
9. https://rebound.fitness/en-us/why-is-rebounding-good-for-lymphatic-drainage/
10. https://culinarywitch.com/detoxifying-herbs
11. https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/yellow-dock/?cookie-consent-set=true