At the start of a 10-day cleanse, I couldn’t have been more excited to boost my immunity.

I was sicker than ever this past summer, and I do believe it had a lot to do with the fact that I share living quarters with a 2-year-old.

As we began introducing Liam to social interaction with large groups of children, he would bring a lot of different germs home. I ended up ill nearly every time he picked up any virus or bacteria.

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This summer, I was able to maintain a healthy internal system thanks to my powerful crew of essential oils. When I embarked on the cleanse, I was determined to maintain homeostasis by incorporating as many different oils as possible. Coriander is one of those fabulous oils for any detoxification routine.

The seed of the cilantro plant is steam distilled to produce a warm and slightly sweet aroma. Combining coriander with grapefruit is a great way to lift your mood during those early tense moments of cleansing. This combination also results in weight loss and increased lymphatic flow as it helps to break down fat and cholesterol in the body.

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Coriander also supports the digestive and circulatory systems via stimulating components that aid in the removal of heavy metals from the body. It is a well-known antispasmodic therefore making coriander a great essential oil to use during massage therapy.

This oil will help to calm muscular cramps as well as digestive upset. Coriander is a potent analgesic that will help to relieve any pains felt in the body. In the past, this oil was used to cure toothaches and headaches almost immediately.

Lastly, this particular essential oil works to purify the blood when taken internally. Before you head out to the supermarket for some over-the-counter painkiller think about the application of coriander first.

Sarah McCallum is a massage therapist at North Lake Massage & Skin Care.