Organs of Elimination — The Body’s Natural Detox Pathways
Your body is constantly working to keep you healthy by filtering, neutralising, and removing waste. This happens through a network of organs known as the organs of elimination — your liver, colon, kidneys, skin, lungs, and lymphatic system.
When these organs are functioning well, we feel energised, clear-headed, and vibrant. But when they’re sluggish or overburdened, waste can build up, leading to fatigue, skin issues, digestive troubles, hormonal imbalances, and that general feeling of being “toxic” or “stuck.”
In this blog, we’re diving into each of these vital systems — what they do, how to care for them, and how our team at the Gut Recovery Centre can help you restore your natural detox flow.
The Liver — Your Detox Powerhouse
What it does: Your liver filters toxins from your blood, processes hormones, metabolises fats and medications, and converts waste into forms your body can excrete.
Signs it may need support:
Fatigue or brain fog
Bloating or nausea, especially after fatty foods
Skin breakouts or rashes
Hormonal imbalance or PMS
Headaches or irritability
How to support your liver:
Eat bitter greens (rocket, dandelion, kale) and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage)
Stay hydrated, reduce alcohol and avoid processed foods
Include lemon water or herbal teas like dandelion and milk thistle
Sweat regularly — saunas are amazing for this
Support gut health: the liver helps clear out toxins, and the gut needs to remove these or they’ll be reabsorbed, creating extra work for your liver
Try coffee enemas — a powerhouse detox tool (you can read more about them here)
How we can help:
Our Naturopathy and Clinical Nutrition consultations can provide tailored herbal and nutritional support. Infrared sauna sessions can enhance detoxification through sweating and circulation. Colon hydrotherapy can take the burden off the liver by helping the gut clear waste more efficiently.
The Colon — Your Waste Removal Highway
What it does: The colon is responsible for eliminating solid waste and supporting a balanced gut microbiome. It’s one of the most important routes for toxin removal.
Signs it may need support:
Constipation or irregular bowel movements
Bloating, gas, or discomfort
Skin issues or bad breath
Brain fog or sluggishness
How to support your colon:
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Stay hydrated — water keeps waste moving
Include fermented foods for a healthy microbiome
Avoid excessive processed or low-fibre foods
Prioritise sleep, rest, and relaxation — reduce stress as much as possible
Move your body daily
Aim for at least one healthy poop every day
How we can help:
Our colon hydrotherapy sessions gently cleanse the bowel, removing waste build-up and supporting healthy elimination. Combined with Naturopathic or Clinical Nutrition guidance, we help you optimise digestive function and your body’s ability to eliminate effectively. We also offer microbiome testing (gut testing) to help you understand the best ways to support your gut health.
The Kidneys — Your Fluid Filters
What they do: Your kidneys filter your blood, removing waste and balancing fluids, electrolytes, and minerals.
Signs they may need support:
Swelling in hands or ankles
Fatigue or cloudy urine
Lower back pain
Strong-smelling urine or frequent UTIs
How to support your kidneys:
Stay well hydrated — herbal teas and filtered water are best
Limit excessive caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Avoid long-term dehydration (a common modern issue!)
How we can help:
Our Naturopaths and Clinical Nutritionists can assess kidney health markers, recommend herbal kidney tonics, and guide you toward hydration habits that support long-term balance.
The Lungs — Your Breath of Fresh Air
What they do: Your lungs eliminate carbon dioxide and other volatile toxins. They also help filter environmental pollutants and support oxygen exchange.
Signs they may need support:
Shallow breathing or shortness of breath
Frequent coughs or sinus congestion
Fatigue or low energy
Poor posture or tension in the chest
How to support your lungs:
Practice deep breathing and posture exercises
Spend time in nature and get fresh air daily
Avoid smoking and minimise air pollution exposure
Move your body — exercise naturally expands and clears the lungs
How we can help:
We can support your respiratory health with herbal medicine and nutritional guidance to strengthen immunity, reduce inflammation, and support clear, healthy breathing pathways.
The Skin — Your Largest Detox Organ
What it does: The skin eliminates toxins through sweat and sebum and acts as a protective barrier.
Signs it may need support:
Acne, rashes, eczema, or dull skin
Excessive sweating or dryness
Slow wound healing
How to support your skin:
Dry body brushing to stimulate lymph and circulation
Regular sweating (saunas or exercise)
Clean, natural skincare (avoid synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals) — we love OmMade
Stay hydrated and support the gut for glowing skin from within
How we can help:
Our infrared sauna sessions promote deep sweating and skin detoxification, while Naturopathy and Clinical Nutrition address underlying gut and hormonal causes of skin concerns. Colon hydrotherapy can also help take the burden off the skin by improving waste removal and supporting hydration.
The Lymphatic System — Your Internal Drainage Network
What it does: The lymphatic system removes waste and toxins from tissues, supports immune function, and keeps fluid levels balanced.
Signs it may need support:
Puffiness, swelling, or fluid retention
Frequent infections
Cellulite or skin congestion
Fatigue or a “heavy” feeling
How to support your lymph:
Move daily (walking, rebounding, yoga)
Dry body brushing
Gentle massage or lymphatic drainage
Stay hydrated
How we can help:
Our team offers colon hydrotherapy, infrared saunas, and Naturopathic sessions — all of which help to stimulate lymph flow and reduce toxic burden naturally.
In Summary
Your body is designed to detox — you just need to support the systems that do it. When your organs of elimination are in sync, you feel clearer, lighter, and more vibrant.
If you’re ready for deeper support, our team at the Gut Recovery Centre offers Naturopathy, Clinical Nutrition, Colon Hydrotherapy, Microbiome Testing, and Infrared Sauna sessions to help your body do what it’s meant to do — eliminate, regenerate, and thrive.