Clearing the Air: How Environmental Toxins Impact Health and Naturopathic Solutions
With so much health information online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to do or where to begin, but looking at our surroundings offers a gentle starting point—for some, it may be swapping foods, for others, improving air quality. Environmental toxins includes the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the buildings you occupy, the noise level, the people you interact with, and the overall atmosphere of your environment. This may seem like a long list (maybe ridiculous and unrealistic), but as a naturopath, I believe it’s where true healing begins. Embracing even one or two of the steps below can gently guide you toward vibrant health. Our bodies are not separate from the world around us—they’re woven into it, like roots in soil. When our environment is laden with toxins, our health pays the price. Let’s explore how environmental toxins impact us and how naturopathic wisdom can guide us toward a cleaner, vibrant life.
THE HIDDEN BURDEN OF TOXINS
Environmental toxins are everywhere—silent invaders in the air, water, food, and products we touch daily. From pesticides on our produce to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint, from heavy metals in tap water to microplastics in our oceans, these substances disrupt our body’s natural balance. Studies, like those in Environmental Health Perspectives (2024), show that toxins contribute to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and chronic conditions like fatigue, brain fog, and even cancer. They burden our liver, stress our immune system, and dim our vital force—the spark that naturopaths seek to nurture.
If you haven’t already come across her please check out Dr. Nicole Biljsma’s work - a building biologist who started off as a naturopath.
HOW TOXINS AFFECT YOUR BODY
Naturopathy’s principles urges us to look beyond symptoms to the root. Environmental toxins can disrupt:
Hormonal Balance: Chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics mimic estrogen, leading to issues like irregular cycles or low energy.
Detox Pathways: The liver, kidneys, and skin work overtime to clear toxins, but overload can cause fatigue, skin rashes, or digestive woes.
Brain Health: Heavy metals like lead or mercury, found in water or fish, impair cognition, contributing to brain fog or anxiety, as noted in NeuroToxicology (2023).
Immune Function: Pesticides and pollutants weaken immunity, increasing susceptibility to infections or allergies.
Energy and Spirit: Toxins drain the body’s vital force, leaving us feeling disconnected from our vibrant selves.
When toxins accumulate, they create a fog over our health, dimming the body’s innate wisdom. But naturopathy teaches us that we can clear this fog with intention.
OUR ANCESTORS AND THE EARTH
Our ancestors lived in harmony with the Earth, their wisdom a guide for navigating today’s toxic world. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia used eucalyptus leaves to purify air and heal respiratory ailments, burning them in cleansing ceremonies tied to Country. A beautiful oil I use often in clinic and at home.
Indigenous peoples saw the environment as sacred, a living partner in health. Pollution was unthinkable; the land, air, and water were kin. Today, their advocacy against environmental degradation—like protecting rivers from mining—calls us to honor the Earth’s purity. What did your ancestors do to cleanse their spaces? Who are the Indigenous stewards of the land you live on? Their stories hold clues for healing.
NATUROPATHIC SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT TOXIC BUILDUP
Here are practical steps to clear your environment and thrive:
Purify Your Air
Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air due to VOCs from furniture or cleaners. Open windows daily, use a HEPA air purifier, and add plants like peace lilies to filter toxins. Burn eucalyptus or sage, inspired by Indigenous practices, to cleanse your space energetically and physically.
Choose Clean Water
As I shared in my water blog, quality matters. Use a high-quality filter to remove heavy metals and contaminants from tap water. Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt for minerals, supporting cellular hydration and detoxification, as Dr. Zach Bush suggests.
Eat Organic and Whole
Pesticides on conventional produce add to toxic load. Choose organic fruits, vegetables, and grains when possible, especially for the “Dirty Dozen” (check EWG.org for the 2025 list). Foods like cilantro and chlorella bind heavy metals, aiding detox, per Journal of Environmental Science and Health (2023).
Simplify Your Products
Swap chemical-laden cosmetics and cleaners for natural options. Use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, and choose fragrance-free, plant-based soaps. Naturopathy’s prevention principle starts with reducing exposure.
Support Your Detox Organs
Your liver, kidneys, and skin are detox powerhouses. Sip dandelion root tea to support liver function, eat beets for kidney health, and dry brush your skin to boost lymphatic flow. A 2024 study in Phytotherapy Research highlights milk thistle’s role in protecting the liver from toxins.
Create a Healing Environment
Reduce noise with soft music or earplugs, surround yourself with uplifting people, and spend time in nature. Naturopathy’s treat the whole person approach sees your environment as part of you. A walk in the forest can reset your nervous system, as Japanese shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) research shows.
Listen to Your Body
The principle of individuality reminds us that toxin sensitivity varies. Notice symptoms like fatigue or skin changes—they’re your body’s signals. Journal your environment’s impact to identify triggers, like James did.
YOUR BODY, YOUR SANCTUARY
Preventing toxic buildup is about reclaiming your environment as a sanctuary. Start small—swap one chemical cleaner, drink filtered water, or step outside to breathe deeply. These acts align you with the Earth’s wisdom, amplifying your vital force.
Your environment is your medicine. How will you cleanse it?
