Organs of Elimination

One way we can all improve our general level of health is by supporting our organs of elimination.

Our primary organs of elimination include the lungs, the skin, the kidneys and the digestive system. Through these four organs we eliminate waste products from our body. From the lungs we eliminate carbon dioxide, from the skin we excrete sweat, urine is voided by the kidneys and stool is eliminated from the digestive system. These are all of the natural and normal ways our body eliminates that which we have no use for: by-products of our metabolism and toxins that we accumulate from our environment through our air, food and water.

Proper elimination is essential for health. When these waste products are not eliminated efficiently from the body, they will accumulate and contribute to ill health. Many common symptoms can be cured by simply supporting our organs of elimination.

To support our kidneys we need to drink an adequate amount of water each day. I recommend drinking half of your body weight(lbs) in ounces. See blog post "Water" for more information.

To support our lungs we need to practice deep breathing. Aim for 100 deep belly breaths over the course of the day.

For the skin we need to promote sweating (think exercise) and allow the skin to breathe by practicing dry skin brushing each day.

For the digestive system we must ensure we are having a minimum of 1 bowel movement each day. Anything less is considered constipation. (see blog post "Improving Bowel Regularity")

One other system that plays a key role in elimination is our lymphatic system. See previous post entitled "The Importance of the Lymphatic System" for more information.

By enhancing the function of our organs of elimination we can more efficiently eliminate the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis and we can begin to eliminate waste products we have stored in our body. Supporting the function of our lungs, kidneys, skin and digestive tract is paramount to good health.

By improving your body's ability to eliminate you can expect a reduction of symptoms, improved energy levels, enhanced weight loss, a general sense of well-being and prevention of future disease.

Dry Skin Brushing

The skin is one of our organs of elimination just like the lungs, kidneys and colon. It functions to remove wastes and toxins via sweat.

Dry Skin brushing is one of the ways we can support elimination from the skin. It removes dead skin cells, allowing the skin to breathe and also stimulates lymph and blood circulation.

If the pores of the skin become blocked with millions of dead cells, impurities will remain in the body. The other elimination organs, mainly the kidneys and liver, will have to increase their function to compensate for this and will eventually become overworked.

If toxins and wastes begin to build up in the tissues because the kidneys and the liver cannot cope with the added workload, then sooner or later disease will follow. This is the importance of keeping healthy and well functioning skin.

Dry skin brushing is also useful for stimulating movement of the lymphatic system. All detoxification occurs primarily through the lymph and thus, dry skin brushing can help the body to eliminate wastes and toxins from below the skin’s surface.

Dry skin brushing can change the health of your whole body. Circulation, skin softness and quality, skin infections and irritations, whole body freshness, your level of stimulation, the prevention of colds, and you personal rejuvenation are all areas of improvement you can look for, once you make this a regular habit.

To brush the skin, use a natural bristle brush (like a back brush) and start at the soles of the feet and work your way up your legs, your front and your back, brushing as vigorously as you feel able. Then do your hands and up your arms. Always brush towards your heart. Don't do your face, but do include the back of your neck and your scalp. For hygiene reasons you need a separate brush for each member of the family, and of course, you need to wash the brush itself every couple of weeks.