According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, our bodies detoxify best while we are asleep. By preparing ourselves properly prior to going to bed, we can optimize the detoxifying process that naturally occurs in our bodies, meaning we can actually burn fat while we sleep – what a great way to exercise!
The same way, our liver is the main detoxifying organ in our body, and it functions at its best between the hours of 1 am and 3 am. By setting ourselves up for a good night’s sleep, we can ensure that our livers are happy and doing what they are supposed to be doing.
The first thing to consider is the time that you are actually settling down in the evening. Our detoxification is at its optimum between 1 am and 3 am, we should be in a period of “deep sleep” for 2 or more hours before this, which means that a healthy bedtime would be before 11 pm every evening in order to maintain our natural bodily cycles and not interfere too much with our “circadian rhythm.”
Secondly, there are a number of nutrients which we can provide our bodies with, before we go to sleep. These nutrients help to activate the natural cycle of detoxification in our bodies, whilst providing our organs (particularly our liver) with the stuff it needs to get the job done effectively.
Below are 4 drinks which should be consumed an hour before sleep (before 11 pm remember) to ensure you are nourished and burning fat while you sleep.
But before that check out this short video on how to make “the mighty turmeric liver detox drink”:
Rose Tea
Perhaps the reason that rose is so associated with love is because of its natural connection with our emotions. Rose is great at ensuring proper flow of blood and energy to and from our liver.
Without this healthy flow, our bodies can slump into a depressive state and therefore start to consume more energy through stress. For a good night’s sleep, all stresses should be relieved from the body beforehand.
Chamomile Tea
High in sesquiterpene lactone, a nutrient that is vital in aiding the liver in clearing its detoxifying pathways, chamomile tea is an excellent choice before bed. It is believed that this tea also has a “nervine action” on the body. This means that it can have calming and relaxing effects and greatly assist the body in its preparation for sleep.
Oat Tea
Oat is another nervine herb which helps us to relax and prepare for sleep. Using oat seeds and tops to make a tea is a great way to get all the nutrient-rich goodness from this herb and ensure you are unwinding properly before bed. Oat is also high in proteins known as “avenins” which are extremely helpful during the first 2 phases of liver detoxification.
Lemon Water
This is one of the best ways to purge toxins from your body throughout the day and night. By adding a slice or squeezing lemon juice into a glass of water, we can ensure that our bodies have the nutrients they require to rid any toxins from our systems. Lemon water works best when it is warm, as cold drinks can shock the body and consume more energy in the digestion process because the body has to warm it up.
