Summer Solstice & The Microbiome

This early stage of summer brings in the solstice (yay for more sun!) followed by a full moon. Time for letting go of the old, internally & externally. I ring in solstices and equinoxes by cutting my hair & doing a seasonal cleanse, bring on the change! This season specifically involves the small intestine. I know that for me my digestive system, the gut microbiome (the second brain) needs rest and healing after stress, sadness of the cold/ no sunshine, & harsh foods of winter.

What is the microbiome and why should we care?

The microbiome is a community of organisms living inside of us in the gut and on the skin. It is affected by the food we eat, stress levels, medications, probiotics and genetics.

Skin has the same lining as the digestive tracks, which may externally reflect the state of the gut.

A depleted microbiome leads to progression of disease, not only digestive & skin related but autoimmune, energy levels , mental clarity, ect.

Did you know the microbiome is passed on from mother to child?

Inherited from generations and affected by the environment, medications, birth control, air quality, soil of the food we eat, and stress!

For me my microbiome seemed to be destroyed by a combination of my parents digestive disorders, poor eating habits, stress, and growing up on antibiotics combined with a few years of birth control. The state of my microbiome left me with weekly appointments at the GI doctor, with no relief. I continued to have a disturbed microbiome until medications sent me to the hospital and I realized I had to take charge of my life...

How can you get a good community of organisms living in your gut?

Repopulate with probiotics (fermented food and drinks like kombucha and kimchi), learn to listen to your body, eat healthfully and mindfully (seasonally, local, take time to enjoy and digest), & give your gut a rest with a fast or a juice cleanse! Juice cleansing allows your digestive tract and organs to rest and heal while providing the beneficial vitamins, minerals, and proteins in the fruits and vegetables.

This summer solstice I will do a 3 day deep detox juice cleanse from Fully Rooted followed by a recipe found in the seasonal detox book by Carrie L’Esperance.

This cleanse is centered around the Intestinal Broom Powder

(add 1.5 T into smoothies)

2 T Chia

2 T Flax

2 T Slippery Elm

2 T Marshmallow

Skin Brush in the morning (get your lymph system clear)

Smoothie around lunch time (Powder+ papaya, apple juice, water & nutmeg)

Slowly reintroduce foods!

Happy health

Tori