Clearing Before Cleansing — Detox Prep

Written By Carly Montuani

Table of Contents

  • Welcome & How to Use This Course

  • Module 1: Open the Drain — Why Clearance Before Cleanse

  • Module 2: Waterworks — Supporting the Kidneys

  • Module 3: Breath as a Broom — Clearing the Lungs

  • Module 4: The Daily Exit — Colon Rhythm & Regularity

  • Module 5: The Radiator — Skin as a Clearance Ally

  • Module 6: Switch Off the Alarm — Nervous System Drainage

Welcome & How to Use This Course

Welcome to Clear Pathways. This workbook is designed to help you learn, apply, and track practices that support your body’s natural clearance systems. Each module includes overview teaching, signals of stagnation, practical tools, quick wins, and a reflection prompt.

Use it as a self-paced course: review one module per week, practice the tools, and use the trackers provided.

Module 1: Open the Drain — Why Clearance Before Cleanse

Overview

Detox is popular, but drainage must come first. Imagine pouring clean water into a bathtub with the drain clogged. Nothing clears until the exit is open. Similarly, your body requires open clearance pathways for waste to leave.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Constipation or incomplete elimination

•          Puffy eyes, swelling in feet/ankles

•          Shortness of breath, congestion

•          Acne, rashes, poor sweating

•          Brain fog, wired-but-tired feeling

Practices & Tools

•          Track your baseline (Daily Log)

Reflection Prompt

“Which signals of stagnation do I notice most in my daily life?”

Module 2: Waterworks — Supporting the Kidneys

Overview

Your kidneys filter waste, balance fluids, and regulate minerals. They are the body’s plumbing crew.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Puffy eyes on waking

•          Swollen ankles or feet

•          Cola-colored or frothy urine

•          Fatigue despite sleep

•          High blood pressure

Practices & Tools

•          Mineral-wise hydration: sip steadily, add trace minerals once daily

•          Contrast shower rinse (2–3 hot/cold cycles)

•          Heel pumps: 2 minutes bouncing through ankles

•          Kidney tea: nettle + dandelion root

 

Trace Mineral Supplements

Nutrition & Lifestyle

•          Potassium foods: bananas, sweet potatoes, leafy greens

•          Limit processed sodium

Quick Wins

•          Heel drops 10 minutes daily

•          1 cup nettle tea morning & evening

 

Nettle and Dandelion Teas and Supplements

Reflection Prompt

“How does my body feel when I hydrate consistently?”

Module 3: Breath as a Broom — Clearing the Lungs

Overview

Your lungs sweep out waste gases and bring in oxygen. Breathwork also clears emotions.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Shallow breathing

•          Chest tightness

•          Chronic congestion

•          Fatigue + brain fog

Practices & Tools

•          Pursed-lip breathing: inhale gently, exhale twice as long (5 min)

•          Rib space openers: side reaches, chest lifts

•          Steam tent or humid shower

Nutrition & Herbs

•          Mullein, licorice, or elecampane teas

•          Reduce mucus-forming foods

Lung-Supportive Supplements

Quick Wins

•          5 minutes pursed-lip breathing

•          Step outside daily for fresh-air minutes

Reflection Prompt

“When I breathe deeply, what changes in my mood or energy?”

Module 4: The Daily Exit — Colon Rhythm & Regularity

Overview

The colon is the body’s main exit route. When it slows, toxins back up.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Less than one complete bowel movement daily

•          Bloating, foul gas

•          Skin breakouts

•          Brain fog

•          Fatigue

Practices & Tools

•          Hydration + fiber pairing (chia, flax, greens)

•          Toilet posture with footstool

•          Abdominal massage clockwise 2–3 min

Nutrition

•          Fermented foods, leafy greens, beets, cooked roots

•          Probiotics & prebiotics

Probiotics

Prebiotic

Quick Wins

•          Squatty posture at toilet

•          2L mineral water with flax daily

Flax Supplements

Reflection Prompt

“What difference do I notice when elimination is daily and complete?”

Module 5: The Radiator — Skin as a Clearance Ally

Overview

The skin vents when other systems are sluggish. Support it gently.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Acne, eczema, rashes

•          No sweating or excessive sweating

•          Slow healing wounds

Practices & Tools

•          Dry brushing before showers

•          Sweat sessions: brisk walk, sauna, or hot bath

•          Oil sweep massage toward collarbones & groin

Nutrition

•          Omega-3s, zinc, vitamin A

•          Avoid heavy chemical skincare

Quick Wins

•          2 minutes dry brushing daily

•          Electrolytes after sweat session

Reflection Prompt

“How does my skin change when I sweat regularly?”

Module 6: Switch Off the Alarm — Nervous System Drainage

Overview

Stress and stored tension clog the nervous system, affecting all organs.

Signals of Stagnation

•          Wired-but-tired state

•          Anxiety or panic

•          Brain fog

•          Digestive upset linked to stress

Practices & Tools

•          Long-exhale breathing (inhale 4, exhale 6–8)

•          Vocal vagal: humming or gargling daily

•          Gentle shaking (3 min micro-shake)

•          Evening down-shift routine

Nervous System Support

Quick Wins

•          Humming 2 min before meals

•          Box breathing 5 min in afternoon

Reflection Prompt

“What helps me feel most safe and calm in my body?”

Carly Montuani