Skin Breakouts, Stress & UTIs: Could Your Body Be Asking for a Detox Reset?

Have you ever considered that your body’s natural detox processes might be struggling? When the emunctory organs (your liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and digestive system) are under pressure, it can show up in ways you might not immediately link, such as recurring urinary tract infections, skin disorders, or even feeling constantly stressed and run down. When one route of elimination becomes overburdened, others often have to compensate, leaving your detox system working overtime. The good news is, there are gentle, practical steps you can take to support your body and help restore balance. Keep reading to find out more.

What Are the Emunctory Organs?

In naturopathic and traditional medicine, emunctories are the body’s natural pathways of elimination—essentially, the organs and systems responsible for detoxifying and excreting waste. The key ones include:

Primary Emunctories (main elimination routes):

Liver – processes toxins, hormones, drugs, and metabolic by-products for excretion (mainly via bile into the intestines).

Kidneys – filter blood to excrete water-soluble wastes, toxins, and metabolic end-products via urine.

Lungs – eliminate volatile compounds and carbon dioxide.

Skin – excretes via sweat (salts, some toxins, metabolic by-products).

Intestines/colon – eliminate solid waste, fibre-bound toxins, and bile products.

Secondary/backup Emunctories (step in if primary ones are overloaded):

Mucous membranes (sinuses, respiratory tract, vaginal discharge) can produce excess secretions when burdened.

Skin (eczema, acne, rashes) often acts as an overflow route if the liver or gut are struggling.

Lymphatic system – not technically eliminatory on its own, but critical for moving immune cells and waste toward other elimination organs.

How They Interconnect

Think of the emunctories as a team: if one player is weak or overburdened, the others may have to compensate. For example:

If the liver is sluggish:

More toxins may spill into your circulation.

Kidneys may take on extra load (leading to changes in urine, more frequent UTIs, or electrolyte strain).

The skin may try to “push out” toxins → acne, eczema, hives.

Lungs and mucous membranes may show irritation → asthma flares, congestion, catarrh.

If the kidneys are struggling:

Uric acid and other waste may build up, stressing the liver.

The skin may produce more sweat or rashes to compensate.

Fluid balance can affect lymphatic drainage, leading to oedema or sluggish immunity.

If the gut/colon isn’t clearing waste well (constipation, dysbiosis):

The liver may reabsorb toxins it was trying to eliminate (enterohepatic recirculation).

The immune system in the gut lining (70% of immune tissue lives here) becomes irritated, driving inflammation or allergies.

Skin may react with rashes, rosacea, or breakouts.

If the lungs are compromised (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis):

Carbon dioxide clearance is reduced, which can alter pH balance and put pressure on the kidneys to buffer acidity.

The lymph system may become sluggish, as circulation relies on breathing and diaphragm movement.

Relationship to the Immune System

Yes—supporting emunctory function is generally considered beneficial for immune resilience:

Waste clearance reduces immune load – If toxins, allergens, or metabolic by-products aren’t efficiently cleared, the immune system stays in a heightened state of alert, leading to chronic inflammation.

Gut-liver-immune connection – A well-functioning digestive tract and liver reduce the risk of “leaky gut” and systemic immune activation.

Lymphatic circulation – Efficient drainage helps immune cells patrol effectively and respond where needed.

Skin and mucous membranes – Healthy elimination keeps these barriers strong, reducing risk of infections.

Emunctories work as a network—if one is weak, the others take on extra load, which can show up as symptoms in those systems.

Supporting all elimination routes helps reduce toxic burden, inflammation, and immune dysregulation.

They absolutely influence immune health because efficient waste removal lowers unnecessary immune activation, leaving defences sharper for real threats.

Supporting the Emunctories

Under each section are ways to improve your detox pathways, you will need to consider removing things from your day to day routine, but equally it suggests beneficial additions.

Liver

Classed as the master detox organ. It handles hormones, drugs, alcohol, toxins, and metabolic waste.

Foods: Bitter greens (rocket, dandelion leaves, watercress), cruciferous veg (broccoli, kale, cabbage), garlic, onions, beetroot, artichoke, lemon.

Habits: Don’t overload with alcohol, processed fats, or excess sugar. Prioritise sleep — liver detox pathways are most active at night.

Herbs (gentle ones): Milk thistle, dandelion root, turmeric.

What to ease off on: Alcohol, fried/processed foods, excess sugar, artificial additives, unnecessary medications (where alternatives are safe and possible).

Kidneys

Kidneys

They filter blood and excrete water-soluble wastes.

Hydration: Steady water intake (not just tea/coffee). Add cucumber, lemon, or herbal teas (nettle) celery, parsley, cucumber, berries, watermelon.

Foods: Berries, celery, parsley, watermelon (help hydration + mild diuretic effect).

Habits: Keep blood pressure balanced, avoid excess salt and ultra-processed foods.

What to ease off on: Excess caffeine, alcohol, heavily salted/processed foods, long-term dehydration.

Lungs

Eliminate CO₂ and volatile waste; also a primary immune defence.

Breathwork: Conscious deep breathing, pranayama, walking outdoors with mindful breathing.

Environment: Fresh air, avoiding smoke/pollution when possible.

Foods: Apples, pears, ginger, garlic, thyme, oregano (herbs with antimicrobial qualities).

Habits: Movement/exercise expands lung capacity and helps lymphatic drainage.

What to ease off on: Smoking/vaping, exposure to chemical fumes or heavy pollution, shallow chest breathing, sedentary habits.

Skin

Acts as both a primary and backup route for waste.

Hydration + sweat: Adequate water, regular exercise, sauna or hot baths for sweating.

Topical care:  Dry brushing to support lymph drainage, or a Lymphatic Massage. Natural skin care.

Foods: Omega-3s (flax, chia, oily fish), zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, nuts, legumes), vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, peppers, berries).

What to ease off on: Heavy synthetic skincare, excessive sun damage, chemical-laden products, poor hygiene practices.

Intestines/Colon

Key for eliminating solid waste and toxins processed by the liver.

Fibre: Variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans/lentils to keep transit time healthy.

Microbiome support: Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, live yoghurt) if tolerated.

Hydration + routine: Enough water, mindful eating, and regular meal patterns.

Habits: Avoid constipation triggers like low fibre, sedentary lifestyle, and excess stress.

What to ease off on: Ultra-processed foods, low-fibre diets, excessive red meat, refined sugar, long-term constipation habits (holding on, lack of movement).

Lymphatic System (the “waste highway”)

Moves immune cells + waste toward elimination organs. It relies on movement, as it doesn’t have its own pump.

Movement: Walking, yoga, rebounding, stretching.

Massage/therapies: Manual lymphatic drainage, or gentle self-massage.

Hydration: Keeps lymph fluid flowing.

Breathwork: Deep diaphragm breathing pumps lymph.

What to ease off on: Sedentary lifestyle, tight restrictive clothing, chronic dehydration.

Supporting the Whole Network (Immune-Friendly Habits)

Rotate between hot/cold showers → boosts circulation and lymph flow.

Prioritise sleep → detox and immune repair are most active overnight.

Reduce toxic inputs (alcohol, smoking, highly processed foods).

Stress management → high cortisol slows detox pathways.

Seasonal eating → supports natural rhythms of cleansing and repair.

You don’t need to do a harsh “detox” — the body already knows how to clear waste. Instead, think of “unburdening” and “supporting” each emunctory so none are overwhelmed.

Take the first step today — start listening to your body’s signals and explore these simple ways to support your natural detox pathways. If you’d like personalised guidance on how to do this, let’s chat about how I can help you feel more balanced and energised.