by Clinic Counselor Julia Demasse
It is widely known that our skin acts as a protective outer layer for our bodies, but it is often overlooked that the skin is also our largest eliminative system and third kidney.
In addition to shielding the body’s internal workings from the harsh outside environment, the skin is known to eliminate two pounds of waste a day. These wastes can be excreted in the form of mucus, gases or sweat. When unable to perform it’s eliminative duties properly, you may begin to see the effects of this hinderance in the form of pimples, dry skin, rashing and other skin conditions as these are all signs of a clogged or stagnated integumentary system.
When you become more familiar with detoxification, you soon find out about the lymphatic system and its relationship to the kidneys. This is especially true to those who jump into an intense detox without sufficiently filtering kidneys. In the event our kidneys become overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the amount of lymphatic waste being sent to them, they turn to the skin to “ lighten their load.” This is why we often refer to the skin as “the Third Kidney.” Just as the Kidneys rely on the skin, the skin relies on two other areas of the body to assist in its functioning: the liver and the thyroid.
Sweat plays an important role in our skin’s ability to eliminate waste (as well as control body temperature). When your thyroid is hypo-active, this can inhibit your ability to sweat. If a hypothyroid is suspected due to inadequate sweating, monitoring your temperatures can assist in gauging the level of weakness present in this area (click here to download a handout on tracking your basal temperatures). Your basal temperatures should range from 97.8 -98.2. Another area of the body to look to when the skin is stagnated is our body’s chemical factory, the liver. It is often seen that when the liver is congested, so is the skin.
As a final thought, it is important to remember that what we put on our body can have just as much effect as what we put in our body when it comes to health. You may want to take some time to venture to your local health food store this summer for an all-natural sunscreen or experimenting with some natural recipes at home for your daily moisturizer to avoid using chemically based products that can hinder both your health and detox process. One rule of thumb is if you cannot pronounce an ingredient, you probably should not be putting it on or in the body.
Featured Food: Blueberries
When it comes to “superfoods,” blueberries top the list! Full of anthocyanidins which give them their rich color and antioxidant protection, these little powerhouses are unmatched when it comes to free radical fighting! They are a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, Vitamins C and E, Manganese, Riboflavin, and Flavonoids made up of anthocyanidins.
Blueberry varieties are available worldwide, so while they are considered a summer treat in North America, they can be available year-round depending on the region. Because of their unparalleled antioxidant activity they are a staple detox food and often recommended for a variety of issues (including Alzheimer’s, age related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. The astringent tannins make them useful for both constipation and diarrhea). Eat blueberries every day to help build a natural barrier against damaging UV rays from the sun—that’s right, blueberries and other pigment rich plants can serve as a natural sunscreen when eaten on a consistent basis!
Recipe of the Month: Blueberry Smoothie
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1 cup (+/-) coconut water or homemade coconut milk
Wash all berries and combine all ingredients in the blender. Add more coconut water or coconut milk as needed, blend everything until smooth. Enjoy!
Featured Formula: Skin Support
This amazing formula was created for cleaning and nourishing the tissues of your skin--and so much more! A strong cleanser for the liver, lymphatic system and blood, as well as a great support for the digestive system and improving absorption. Don't be fooled by the name, this formula is incredibly versatile--functioning as a cleanser and supporting all the organs and systems that create skin problems when they become congested.
Monthly Sale
This month we're offering 25% off the Skin/Burn Salve. This is a must have for any herbal medicine kit, and can be used on any type of skin issue, especially where redness or irritation are present! Just use the coupon code JUNESALE at checkout. Sale code is valid the entire month of June (or while supplies last), and is for retail members only.
Our Spring Cleaning sale is still in effect as well, so don't forget to check out the sale page for great discounts on lots of amazing formulas--including the Skin Support tincture and Skin/Burn Herbal Blend tincture! (click here to visit the sale page - You must be logged in to view this page. If you see "Become a Member," login at the top right then come back and click the link again.)
Counselor’s Corner with Julia Demasse
Along with a raw diet and alkalizing/hydrating the body at a cellular level, below are some additional modalities Julia likes to recommend for optimal skin health:
Dry Skin Brushing – Assists in removal of dead skin cells while also improving circulation and lymph flow.
Steam Saunas- When lack of sweat is a concern, steam can assist in unclogging stagnated skin. If you do not have access to a steam sauna locally, you can order one here.
Castor Oil Packs on the Kidneys – Assisting in encouraging consistent filtration can lessen the amount of waste the body expects the skin to eliminate. Click here to download a handy PDF guide.
From Dr. Morse
"Don't put anything on your hair, ladies, that you don't want and that you can't eat. If you can't eat your makeup or you can't eat your hair products, then don't put them on your skin. Whatever you put on your skin, you'll eat. It'sjust a slower ingestion, but you're still ingesting it." (Dr. Robert Morse)
From Our Members
Like all of the Dr. Morse herbal products that I have used, this one has made a positive difference. I bought this to add to my teenage son’s smoothies and orange juice becauae he started having a bit of acne show up. I no longer buy any dairy products for him to consume. I believe cutting the dairy out, adding much more fresh, organic fruits to his diet and the addition of this skin tonic is the reason my son’s face cleared. I am very pleased with this and would most definitely purchase it again. (Submitted by June on Skin Support Tincture)
Member/Alumni Spotlight: Instantaneous Healing through the Vogel Technique with Mika Nelson
This workshop includes the therapeutic healing modality taught by Marcel Vogel, together with new techniques that have emerged.
In my 35 years of working with crystals, I have never experienced the amount of healing that is available instantaneously through this work. We become conduits of Light and Love offered through the Divine.
When a crystal is cut and shaped, it can take on a Sacred Geometric pattern... in this case, the Tree of Life form.
This is a hands-on technique. In the workshop, I will demonstrate a healing session. Afterwards, you will send me a video that shows your Vogel healing session so that I can critique it with you before being certified. (If you have previously taken the course in person, then you do not have to submit a video.)
This workshop starts June 14th so don’t miss out! Click here for more information or to register!
