Body Cleanse
Cleansing doesn’t have to be a big detox retreat or a demanding challenge. In fact, the most powerful results come from small, consistent lifestyle habits that can be done in a few minutes a day.
Hydration
Hydration is the foundation of cleansing. Water helps the body flush out waste, regulate temperature, and keep energy levels steady. Even mild dehydration can leave you feeling sluggish. A simple practice is to drink a glass of water when you wake up and another before each meal. For more details on hydrating drinks, healthy salts, and natural electrolytes, see the my Hydration page.
Your Mouth
The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body, and daily cleansing practices here can make a big difference. Oil pulling with a spoonful of coconut or sesame oil for 5–15 minutes helps draw bacteria away from the teeth and gums. Tongue scraping with a copper scraper removes the coating that builds up overnight, reducing bad breath and supporting digestion. Brushing with soap or a baking soda mix is a natural alternative to fluoride toothpaste, and once a month you can use a homemade cleansing powder made with baking soda, salt, turmeric, charcoal, and clay for a deeper clean.
Your Skin
The skin is the body’s largest organ of elimination and plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. Supporting it through simple daily practices helps lighten the toxic load and improves circulation, energy, and appearance. One of the most effective techniques is dry brushing, where a natural bristle brush is used on dry skin before bathing. Brushing in long strokes toward the heart not only removes dead skin cells but also stimulates lymphatic flow, encouraging the body to release waste more efficiently.
For those with sensitive skin, a hot towel rub is a gentler option. The warmth opens pores, boosts blood flow, and gently exfoliates, leaving the skin refreshed and soft. Sweating through exercise, a hot bath, or sauna is another natural way to clear the pores and support detoxification. Together, these simple rituals help the skin breathe, renew, and shine with vitality.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a fine black powder made from natural materials like coconut shells. It binds to unwanted substances in the digestive tract and helps the body flush them out.
How to use it: Take food-grade capsules or mix a small amount (½ teaspoon) into water occasionally. Always drink plenty of water afterward to help it move through the system. Charcoal can also absorb nutrients and medications, so don’t use it daily and avoid taking it near meals or supplements.
Clay
Clay has been used for centuries in both traditional medicine and folk remedies. Eating small amounts of food-grade clay, such as bentonite or kaolin, is a practice still found in many cultures and may help bind toxins in the gut while supplying trace minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Externally, clay poultices are used to soothe infections and wounds, drawing out impurities while calming inflammation. As a simple self-care ritual, a clay face mask can cleanse pores, refresh the skin, and leave it feeling mineralized and revitalized.
Bath Therapy
Water therapy is one of the simplest ways to reset the body. A hot shower relaxes muscles and opens pores, while a cold shower stimulates the immune system and leaves you feeling refreshed. Alternating between hot and cold provides the benefits of both—soothing tension while boosting circulation. A good practice is three minutes of hot followed by one minute of cold, repeated three times, always ending on cold.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, a South African-born homeopath now based in Osaka, Japan. With a psychology degree from Nelson Mandela University and a diploma from the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst, I specialize in holistic care for fibromyalgia. I serve clients by phone or video across the US, Canada, the UK, and beyond, shipping remedies directly from Japan.