Today, we have a plethora of teas, capsules, juices, and diet recipes available for detoxification, promising to make you as fresh as a mountain flower within three days. But let's face it, when we find ourselves in a state where everything hurts and we lack energy, we look for a quick solution. Sometimes we grab the first thing we hear on the radio or read online, even though we don't exactly know what it means.

When we talk about detoxification, it often refers to the idea of cleansing the body of all those toxins that accumulate due to unhealthy food, stress, lack of sleep, poor air quality, smoking, alcohol, and various additives. Indeed, our bodies are exposed every day to things we don't even notice. For example, more than 300 types of additives can legally be used in the food industry. Many of them have an E marking and affect our hormones, liver, and even our brains.

Let's just look at one everyday thing: pesticides. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) stated in its recent reports that in 27% of the analyzed foods in the EU, they detected at least one type of pesticide. And while they say the levels are safe, it's important to know that these pesticides accumulate in the body.

That's why people seek ways to cleanse their body. But here is where we encounter a trap. Many detox methods focus only on one organ or process: the intestines, the liver, the lymph. People take laxative teas hoping that everything bad will wash away. But the body doesn't work like a kitchen sink that you can simply flush.

The fact is, the body itself detoxifies every day. The liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and even the lymphatic system perform this task continuously. And if these organs function well, then detoxification is not necessary in the form that various miraculous concoctions offer.

Here we come to an important point: do these diets and treatments actually help or just exhaust the body? According to many experts - including Dr. Edzard Ernst, a renowned researcher in alternative medicine - most detox diets lack scientific evidence. Furthermore, they can even be harmful.

For instance, very low-calorie detox diets, where you only drink juices for three consecutive days, can lead to a drop in blood sugar, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In some cases, kidney damage and heart function disorders have been recorded. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warn that such procedures are not suitable for everyone and can even worsen conditions in people with chronic diseases.

What about traditional folk knowledge?

For centuries, folk wisdom has taught that well-being requires daily care. Our great-grandmothers didn't drink green smoothies, but they knew how to prepare a dandelion remedy early in spring. Dandelion is a natural liver cleanser. It is rich in vitamins C, A, and K, and contains bitter substances that stimulate bile and digestion. Bitter substances are those components that give herbs a bitter taste and help the body more effectively eliminate harmful substances.

The same goes for nettle, which we gather early in spring. This plant is rich in iron, calcium, silica, and vitamin C. Moreover, it has a diuretic effect - meaning it promotes the excretion of water and therefore toxins through the kidneys.

But be cautious: even with folk practices, it's important to do them moderately and wisely. For example, if you drink too much nettle tea, it can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. So, the old rule applies - everything in moderation.

Looking at it from a time perspective, the body's regeneration is a lengthy process. It takes at least a year for the body to fully recover from long-term stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep. The liver regenerates on average in three months, but only if given the opportunity. The skin renews every 28 days, and the blood completely regenerates in approximately 120 days.

Therefore, a one-week diet cannot undo the damage accumulated over the years. Even if you lose some weight and feel better, it's usually due to reduced food intake and increased water consumption, not a deep body cleanse.

Interested in effectively helping your body cleanse itself?

Instead of expensive treatments, consider lifestyle changes. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to detoxify. Through sweating, heavy metals, micro-particles, and even pesticide residues are eliminated. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking a day can improve lymphatic system function and stimulate blood circulation.

Another essential factor is sleep. The body cleanses itself on a cellular level at night. Between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am, the liver works most intensively. If you don't sleep during this time, you deprive it of the opportunity to regenerate. According to the American Sleep Foundation, adults should sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night, but in reality, more than 35% of people sleep less than 6 hours.

The third important aspect is diet. Instead of quick diets, create a daily menu rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber helps cleanse the intestines by binding food residues, toxins, and cholesterol. The daily recommended fiber intake is at least 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men, but most people consume only half of that amount.

To sum up: the body knows how to cleanse itself. However, it needs your help - regular exercise, enough sleep, healthy eating, and inner peace. There are no miraculous solutions. Every day counts. Every healthy decision you make today will bear fruit in a few months.

And if you feel like it's taking too long, let us comfort you with an old folk saying: Slow and steady wins the race - but only if we stop and listen to ourselves once in a while.

The body is not a computer that can be reset over the weekend. It's a temple that needs to be built every day. And that is the true path to real detoxification.