Detox Begins with Saliva: The Key to Mold Detox
If you’re working through mold recovery, here’s something that might surprise you—detox starts with your spit!
Hey there, I’m Dr. Jill Crista, naturopathic doctor, mold expert and author of Break the Mold, and I’m here to share how saliva is also the signal that tells your whole digestive and detox system it’s go-time. And when it comes to clearing mycotoxins, that signal matters more than you think.
Let’s dive in and get your detox flowing. Starting right at the top!
Why Saliva Is the Start of Detox
Detox starts with spit. Salivation is the trigger that turns on all the downstream cascade. Here’s what that cascade looks like:
- Digestion Begins: That means stomach acid, bile, insulin, and all the enzymes to help us digest our food. Saliva sets the stage.
- Bile Flow Starts: Detox from mold is highly driven by bile secretion. Saliva signals bile production and without bile, you’re not clearing mold toxins effectively.
- The Mouth Matters: If you’re not mixing your food in your mouth, the rest of that cascade doesn’t work as well. That’s right, detox begins with chewing!
It’s simple, it’s natural, and it’s one of the first things I teach in Break the Mold.
How Saliva Triggers Bile for Mold Detox
Bile is the magical mycotoxin clearing fluid in our bodies, and it relies on our mouth to get started. Here’s how it works:
- Saliva Signals Bile: By salivating and chewing our food we then turn on bile, which binds and removes mycotoxins.
- Mouth Matters: If you’re not tasting your food in your mouth, bile production weakens, slowing detox.
- Avoiding Overload: Without saliva’s trigger, you’re going to have to chase after delayed digestive juices with prebinders and cholagogues, making detox harder.
This is why I emphasize bile movement in the Protect phase of my mold recovery protocol in my book—and why mindful eating matters.
Maximizing Detox Through Mindful Eating
Here’s something I often say: “Don’t just inhale your food—taste it, chew it, activate it.” Spend time with your food… be present to how you’re eating. Mindful eating enhances detox:
- Engage Your Senses: Smell it before eating to be present to flavor, texture, and pleasure. This boosts salivation and bile flow.
- Support Bile Production: Detox juices will be flowing free and easy when you eat mindfully
- Holistic Benefit: Gratitude and presence turn on bile optimizing mycotoxin clearance naturally.
Need support binding those toxins once they’re moving? I cover that in-depth in Break the Mold and in my courses.
Tips to Boost Salivation and Detox
You don’t need fancy tools to start here, just everyday awareness and simple habits. Having an experience with your food is how you maximize your detox. Here’s how to do it:
- Breathe Before You Eat: A deep breath before a meal shifts your body into rest-and-digest mode—where saliva flows best.
- Smell Your Food: Smelling, having an experience with your food before eating triggers saliva and bile.
- Chew Thoroughly: Chew slowly- aim for 20-30 chews per bite, it mixes food with saliva, and sends that detox signal downstream.
- Eat Mindfully: Sit in gratefulness for the gifts to reduce stress and boost salivary flow.
- Avoid Dry Mouth Triggers: Watch out for antihistamines, alcohol, and caffeine—these can dry up saliva.
- Support with Pre-Binders: Use bitters or cholagogues from Bile Movers if saliva alone isn’t enough.
- Sip Bitters Before Meals: Bitters on the tongue increase saliva and prep your digestion. I recommend several in my store that support both salivation and bile flow.
- Stay Hydrated: Water helps, but it’s not a substitute for chewing. Don’t rely on drinks to “wash down” your meals.
Want to go deeper? I talk about all of this in my book Break the Mold, where I walk you through the foundations of healing, step by step.
You’re Ready to Conquer Mold!
Your mold detox doesn’t start with a capsule or a smoothie—it starts with your mouth. Saliva kicks off digestion, bile flow, and toxin clearance. It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it’s one of the easiest ways to take back your health.
Ready to build your full mold detox strategy?
- Grab your copy of Break the Mold for a complete roadmap.
- Join my newsletter for weekly tips and tools to keep healing strong.
- Explore my store – herbs and supports to get saliva, bile, and better detox flowing.
You’ve got this, friend. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
Disclaimer This content is health information and not intended as personal medical advice. Viewing will not establish a doctor-patient relationship. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The information discussed is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Reliance on information provided by Dr. Jill Crista, employees, or others appearing at the invitation of Dr. Crista is solely at your own risk.