Drain Before You Detox
The Functional Medicine Approach to Safe, Effective Cleansing
In the wellness world, “detox” is a buzzword. People jump into juice cleanses, liver flushes, or herbal protocols hoping to feel lighter, clearer, and more energized. But here’s the truth functional medicine practitioners know well: if your drainage pathways aren’t open, your detox will be incomplete, and potentially make you feel worse.
Think of your body like a house. Before you do a deep clean, you need to make sure the trash bins are empty and the plumbing works. Otherwise, you just move dirt around instead of getting it out. In your body, drainage is that plumbing system, your lymph, liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, and skin.
When you look at the diagram, the left side shows a healthy drainage funnel, while the right side shows an unhealthy one. The most crucial part of the funnel is actually at the bottom, the colon. If the colon becomes backed up, everything above it will also back up (as shown in the right image, colon area).
Why Drainage Matters Before Detox
When your drainage pathways are sluggish, toxins can get “stuck” in the body, leading to headaches, fatigue, skin breakouts, mood swings, and flare-ups of chronic symptoms. Opening these pathways first ensures toxins move out efficiently, so you feel better, not worse, during detox.
In functional medicine, we start by supporting:
Liver & bile flow (for fat-soluble toxin processing)
Lymphatic system (for immune waste removal)
Kidneys & colon (for water- and waste-based elimination)
Skin & lungs (for sweating and breath-based detox)
Holistic Tools to Open Drainage Pathways
1. Castor Oil Packs
Applied over the liver or abdomen, castor oil packs stimulate lymphatic flow, improve circulation, and support bile movement. This gentle therapy helps your body process and move toxins through the liver more efficiently. For best results, use 3–5 times a week for 45–60 minutes while resting. Click here for a guide on how to use castor oil properly.
Click here or here for my favorite packs.
2. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing before a shower promotes lymphatic drainage by stimulating the lymph vessels near the skin. It also exfoliates and increases circulation, encouraging waste removal through both the lymph and skin. Always brush toward the heart in gentle, upward strokes.
Click here for my favorite dry brush
3. Herbal Liver & Kidney Support
Dandelion root tea: Supports liver detoxification and gentle bile flow, plus provides minerals that help buffer detox stress.
Nettle leaf tea: Rich in chlorophyll, antioxidants, and minerals, nettles support kidney function and help reduce inflammation during detox prep.
Click here for my favorite blends
4. Lymphatic Massage
A specialized, light-touch massage that encourages lymph fluid movement, reducing swelling, improving immune resilience, and speeding waste clearance. You can also do basic self-lymph massage techniques at home to keep things moving between sessions.
5. Sweating for Skin Detox
The skin is your largest detox organ. Sweating through sauna sessions, hot yoga, or moderate exercise helps eliminate fat-soluble toxins and heavy metals. Always rehydrate and replenish minerals afterward to support kidney function.
6. Hydration
Water is the vehicle your body uses to transport waste out via urine, sweat, and lymph. Aim for half your body weight (lbs) in ounces of filtered water daily, adding electrolytes or mineral drops for optimal cellular hydration.
Click here for my favorite electrolyte brands
7. Prioritize Sleep
Your glymphatic system, a waste clearance system for the brain, works most effectively while you sleep. Deep, restorative rest also supports hormonal balance, immune repair, and liver regeneration. Aim for 7–9 hours per night in a dark, cool room.
The Functional Medicine Sequence: Drain → Detox → Deep Repair
Functional medicine follows this order for a reason:
Drainage – Open the pathways so toxins can move out.
Detox – Mobilize and remove toxins safely.
Repair – Restore and rebuild tissues, gut lining, and mitochondria.
Skipping the drainage step is like unclogging a bathtub drain after you’ve started filling it; it only leads to overflow and mess.
The Takeaway
True detox isn’t about deprivation or quick fixes; it’s about supporting your body’s natural elimination systems in the right order. By opening drainage pathways first with tools like castor oil packs, dry brushing, dandelion and nettle tea, lymphatic massage, sweating, hydration, and sleep, you set the stage for a safe, effective detox that leaves you feeling renewed rather than depleted.
Start slow, be consistent, and remember: before you push toxins out, make sure the exits are wide open.
