“Detox” is sometimes seen as a bit of a dirty word, and a lot of people have a lot to say about how it’s a terrible idea to try one, or that there is no such thing as a real “detox” because your body naturally “detoxes” itself using its liver and kidneys.

Of course, there are some reasons to be a bit skeptical of detoxes. A lot of detox plans and regimens can be potentially harmful, including suspicious substances and diets comprised of just one or two herbal ingredients, for months at a stretch.

But while there are such things as bad detoxes, and while severe conditions and dependencies should often be dealt with in rehab centers, there are some positive and straightforward detox tips you can follow that do actually work.

Here are a few of those.

Try controlled fasting

The idea of fasting — or not eating — tends to scare people. Advising people to fast for a set period of time can sound a lot like the kind of advice that can lead to chronic starvation, eating disorders, and severe health complications.

As it so happens, however, scientific researchers have found many health benefits to controlled, short-term fasts, such as 3 day fasts, including the fact that fasting seems to promote a process in the body known as autophagy, where the body “recycles” old or damaged cells.

Autophagy is a fantastic, natural “detox” process and is thought to be associated with vastly improved overall health outcomes.

Also, contrary to popular belief, going without food for a short duration does not seem to lead to muscle wasting, nor does the hunger continually get worse and worse throughout the fast. In his book, The Complete Guide to Fasting, Dr Jason Fung notes that many of his patients overcome their hunger quite quickly on a fast, and often experience feelings of well-being during the fast.

Take probiotics (and eat probiotic foods)

When the human genome was first cracked, many people thought that scientists had discovered basically everything there was to discover about the way the body worked, and that cures to all serious diseases known to man were just around the corner.

Since then, however, we have discovered that the body is a lot more complex than we ever really appreciated before.

For example, the gut seems to operate as the “second brain” of the body, and it’s filled with billions upon billions of microbes, each with their own genetic material, who are responsible for helping us absorb food, and release hormones.

Introducing probiotics (good bacteria) to your diet — through food or supplements — can help to counteract and drive out toxic, negative bacteria in the body.

Take salt and essential oil baths

The skin is actually the largest organ of the body, and it has a series of important roles to play in our health and wellbeing.

To begin with, it’s important to remember that the skin absorbs and excretes things constantly, throughout the day, and “breathes” through its pores. If you’re sweating a lot, and your body is working to expel toxins — either in the form of alcohol, or endotoxins from dying, harmful bacteria — washing and soaking your skin regularly is a great health remedy.

Try soaking in baths which are infused with essentials oils and Epsom salts. These will help soothe the body through the skin and aid in the elimination of toxins.