Detoxification happens more readily as we approach spring. According to Ayurveda, there’s an increase in Pitta, which slowly melts away the Kapha accumulation as we move into warmer weather, much like the warm sun melts away the snow. This change increases the rate of metabolism and allows toxins and fats to be mobilized in the body.
While we may not think of children needing detoxes like adults do, they are exposed to several different toxins in their environment and often have a reduced capacity to detoxify as their systems are still developing. The good news is that children respond quickly to simple diet and lifestyle changes that you can introduce into your daily routine in the spring.
Reducing Your Exposure to Toxins
First, reduce exposure to toxins that you can identify. These can be chemicals in detergents, laundry soap, and bath and skin products. Cleaning the floor with strong products often means that kids become exposed to toxins while walking barefoot or crawling. Laundry detergents and fabric softeners can remain on fabric and get absorbed through the skin as well.
- Choose natural hand soaps, dish soaps, surface cleaners, laundry detergents, and shampoos as often as possible
- Avoid perfumes, chemical scents, and smoking in children’s environments
Reducing the toxic load in the environment can greatly reduce the burden in the body. Next, you can help increase the body’s ability to eliminate; there are several routes in the body that you can support.
Detox Bath For Kids
The skin is our largest organ that releases waste material from the body. You can increase your child’s ability to detoxify by encouraging sweating (playing outside, running around) and doing Epsom salt or mineral baths. Most kids love sitting in baths and this is a great way to help detox. According to Ayurveda, a mineral bath increases the water and earth elements, which are very grounding for children in today’s fast-paced world.
Ayurveda for Children
Ayurveda places significant emphasis on oil massage for children to help strengthen their bodies, but it also promotes gentle detox. Light, full body massage with sesame oil (or other customized oil based on individual constitution) moves the lymphatic system, which is responsible for moving toxins. Oil massage is also very soothing for children and can help promote bonding between parent and child. This can be done regularly.
Ways to Eliminate Toxins
The lungs are another organ that helps eliminate waste from the body. Simple eucalyptus steam inhalations, and outdoor time in fresh air can support this for your child.
Elimination through the intestinal tract and urinary tract is an ongoing process in the body. Here are some additional Ayurvedic diet tips to help with this:
- Washing fruits & vegetables— While this may seem obvious, parasites can stick to fresh produce and get ingested. Soaking them well in hot water or a veggie soap (or baking soda/vinegar) can remove harmful parasites.
- Increase greens— Easier said than done for many kids, but green vegetables help promote detoxification and are loaded with nutrients. They are also generally cooling for the body and reduce heat in increasingly warmer weather. If your child is picky with greens, try incorporating pesto into sandwiches, snacks, or wraps; you can also blend them up in a smoothie or soup.
- Ayurvedic spices— Aromatic spices add flavour to food but have medicinal properties too. Ajwain is a spice used in Ayurveda which improves digestive strength and also helps reduce parasites. A small pinch can be added to kitchari (Ayurvedic rice-lentil stew), incorporated into homemade chapati or bread, or added to soups and stir-fries. Ginger is another spice which has a variety of medicinal properties and supports the digestive system. Ginger is very versatile and can be added, chopped, to any curry, stir-fry or soup, or tossed into a smoothie. Not all kids may have the palate for spices, so start slow.
- Pumpkin seeds— These are tasty for kids and have anti-parasitic properties. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or added to nut balls. You can also roast and grind them into a powder and add to oatmeal, smoothies, or sprinkle onto toast.
You can make use of the shifting season, from winter into spring, to support the natural shift of the body from conserving mode to cleansing mode. For children, detoxing does not need to be an intense process, but can be a gentle approach to reducing exposure from the environment and support the body’s natural ability to detoxify. If your child has a specific health issue, there are more ways to customize a detox with additional herbs, homeopathics, supplements, and diet that can be tailored by a practitioner.
