Fall Cleansing? Changing of the Guard!

Fall colors appearing

If you're like me, you love the change from one season to another, but often with a longing for the previous season to stay a little longer.

We may welcome the change, but most often, our bodies take on extra responsibilities at the start of each season. Humidity, temperature, and foods are different from one season to the next, and our bodies must adapt to them.

It's like the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. One set of guards is replaced by the next. The incoming set, just like our bodies entering a new season, has to be fit to face its challenges.

In ancient systems of medicine that are practiced even now, the beginning of Spring and the beginning of Fall are the chosen times of the year to do a cleanse or a detox to actually strengthen the body's defenses—our hard-working immune systems that rely on our microbiome to function optimally. To refresh our understanding of why our microbiome is so critical to our survival, it might be good to revisit this article: Prebiotic Soda Anyone? Or Fresh Fruit?  

How do you assess if you need a cleanse or not?

Think about this time of year, from the end of Summer to the beginning of Fall, and answer the following questions honestly:

1. Is this the time of year that cold sores pop up for you?

2. Do you have difficulty with your bowel movements, or are they dry?

3. Do you tend to have occasional or more heartburn or indigestion?

4. Do you notice you have gained weight and experience abdominal bloating?

5. Are you irritable or more irritable than usual?

6. Do you lose your temper more easily?

7. Are your skin, hair, nails, and sinuses beginning to dry out?

8. Do you have seasonal allergies?

Now for the truth: If you experience even one of these symptoms, your body is screaming to rid itself of toxins that it has accumulated.

A cleanse doesn't have to be a drastic, life-altering, monk-like practice of rigorous fasting and drinking potions of bitter herbs.

There are gentle ways that you can ease your body into letting go of what it doesn't need, through minor changes, which I teach people when I consult with them. Or you can opt for a professionally guided program, such as Dr. Hyman's 10-day detox program, which is also gentle but requires purchasing some supplements.

Let's revisit the symptoms that may tell you if you need a cleanse or not: Sometimes, they may not be as dramatic as those mentioned in the list above. Your body could only be whispering things to you, not screaming out loud. For example, you could notice a change in how clearly you can think—minor brain fog, perhaps a little more often than usual, that you pass off as normal due to the extra stress at work. 

But I would urge you to watch this free documentary, while you can: now until Sept 22, 2025: Body Burden. It’s not all doom and gloom in there. There are solutions to our problems. But it opens our eyes to the possibility that we may be carrying around more unwanted stuff than we think we have or imagine we can.  

When we cleanse our bodies, we also clear out our minds, our hearts, and our lives. What we choose to nourish ourselves with—healthy foods in season, good thoughts, proper rest, and prayer—translates to more fulfilling lives, creating ripple effects of goodwill in the world. 

Our bodies are waiting for those nudges in the right direction... Will we comply?  

To get more practical health tips from me on a bi-weekly basis, and to get a free gift on sign-up, visit this page: Free Gift. 

DISCLAIMER: The content I share is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. I may receive a percentage of the proceeds if you purchase products linked from these blog posts. These affiliations help to support my work.

©2025 Fernz Holistic Consulting