How to Detox from Mold Naturally | 8 Steps for Healing 

user-img
Written By

Lauryn

user-img
Expert Reviewed By

Dr. Lauryn Lax, OTD, MS

Dr. Lauryn, OTD, MS is a doctor of occupational therapy, clinical nutritionists and functional medicine expert with 25 years of clinical and personal experience in healing from complex chronic health issues and helping others do the same.

It’s been awhile since I updated the world on how to detox from mold naturally — my story and tips to help you heal too.   

Table Of Contents show

The GOOD news is: Detoxing from mold naturally is 110% POSSIBLE (I actually was able to recover and detox from mold without tons of supplements or elimination diets).   

After struggling for a solid 3 years with “extreme” toxic mold illness (like the kind of sick where I could NOT go into any building with a hint of mold and I slept on pillows and blankets on apartment balconies and even in my car!), I am recovered!  

In this post, I’ll share 10 lessons I learned about toxic mold and mold illness (1o things I know now that I wish I knew then), then I’ll share my 8 steps for how to detox from mold naturally.   

10 Lessons I Learned About Toxic Mold & Mold Illness  

how to detox from mold naturally - a happy woman

#1. You Can Develop an Autoimmunity to Toxic Mold 

Just like a person with Celiac Disease will always have a gluten intolerance; or a person with Hashimoto’s will always have the pre-disposition to have a Hashimoto’s “flare” when exposed to triggers (like a poor diet or tons of stress), some people who get sick with toxic mold develop an autoimmune-like condition to toxic mold and mitochondria (the power houses of our body that fight off oxidative stress). No, this is not everyone; but it is a big reason why some people get “sicker” than others. This is also a big reason why certain people (like myself) may be more sensitive to mold than others(sort of like a person who is lactose intolerant may always be sensitive to dairy).  

Additionally, a lot of “moldies” also happen to be “slow detoxes”   

#2. Getting Out of the Toxic Environment is Essential to Healing 

“Mold is everywhere”—a common phrase that many people will tell you (especially those who are not super sick). However, for optimal healing to happen, getting out of the environment(s) where you were exposed and that contributed to your illness is crucial.   

#3. Trust Your Gut (More Than a Test) 

Pristine 110% mold free guaranteed living is tough to find. If you don’t believe me, check out the 30+ mold tests (ERMIs) that I conducted within a 12 month time frame. Out of these, only 2 to date have come back 100% clean (and these were all in new construction homes, less than 3 years old). That said, I have not lived in the woods or on the streets…I have been able to find places to live.   

The crazy thing? Finding “clean places” to live has been BEST accomplished when I actually STOPPED doing so many tests altogether…and started trusting my gut instead.  

Throughout my journey, my body learned how to “know” if I felt good or not, in a space often within the first 2 to 10 minutes of being inside a new place. And ironically, the apartments and homes I’ve been able to live the longest (ie. Longer than 1 day to 4 weeks), has been in the homes I have NOT tested formally at all.   

Trust your gut.   

#4. Be a Minimalist 

The first time I moved out of toxic mold, I tried to “save” some stuff and take it with me (like my blender, my stuffed animal I’d had since I was 4 years old, my cowboy boots).   

To say the least, at that time, I was the most reactive I’d ever been, so this did not go well.   

The BEST thing I ever did when I got sick from toxic mold was become a minimalist and walk away from all my stuff that had been exposed in that original home—I walked away as if a fire had happened.   

Additionally, I became super picky with things. I also initially made the mistake of buying a ton of new things after I left mold…only to be super reactive to those as well (new things also can contain mycotoxins if they’ve been in buildings exposed to water damage).   

Beware of “stuff” with lots of toxic mold spores that comes into your home (example: I can’t shop at certain Target stores because the warehouse building is moldy and contaminates many items).   

Fortunately, today, as I’ve personally gained health and strength, I can tolerate things a TON better (without feeling like I need to throw it out the window) if something has mold on it…but I don’t go out of my way to keep moldy things around.  

#5. Get a Storage Unit 

For any “questionable items”, get a storage unit. You may discover you don’t even think twice about those things you thought you had to have.   

#6. Healing Does NOT Necessarily Take TONS of Supplements 

Supplements can be supportive, but are not the end-all-be-all. I was super sensitive to everything (foods, smells, supplements), and can count just a handful of supplements that I actually took to “heal.”  

For me, those included:  

  • A homeopathic lung and breathing support tincture 
  • Quality probiotics and prebiotics 
  • Phosphatydlserine & digestive bitters (gallbladder support) 
  • Natural antihistamines (as needed; like AllQlear and Quercetin)  
  • Liposomal Curcumin, NAC and glutathione

#7. Find Your “Baseline Essentials” 

I talk to my patients A LOT about “baselines”—the 3 to 5 lifestyle practices, foods, supplements, daily practices that help you feel better. One of my favorite questions to ask my patients at the end of our work together is: “What helped you heal the most”? And VERY RARELY do they say an elimination diet or tons of supplements; typically it has something to do with stress mitigation and daily lifestyle practices.   

My “baseline essentials” included:  

  • Daily yoga 
  • Daily sauna sweat session 
  • IV therapies (early on I did PC and glutathione IVs 2-3 times per week for 2-3 months) 
  • Daily prayer—lots and lots of prayers, and time in the Word 
  • Fresh air and walks 
  • Staying connected with people — even when I didn’t feel like it 
  • Investing in quality air purifiers and also sleeping with air purifiers on my face (breathing was my issue). I love IQ Air and Honeywell air purifiers for travel or cheap easy-to-toss solutions if I was moving a lot.

#8. Lean In (Find a “Mold Mentor”) 

My “mold mentors” Suzanne and Nancy (women who had been through mold before) were my “rocks” whenever I ran into roadblocks. They knew EVERYTHING, from:  

  • What to look for in a home when buying or renting a house (construction, materials) 
  • How to wash mold spores out of my clothing  
  • How to move into a place “safely” without contaminating it 
  • How to “clear” exposures from my body when I got a flare

Today in my functional medicine practice, I love nothing more than paying it forward and being a “mold mentor” for my patients as well as connecting them to health coaches who can do the same.   

#9. Limbic System & Gut-Brain Retraining is Essential! 

My healing skyrocketed when I incorporated gut-brain retraining into the mix! Our issues (stress, negative emotions, limiting beliefs, traumas) can often end up in our tissues, and this is often the reason why chronic disease and chronic symptoms persist (dis-ease in our lives shows up as disease in the body).   

What does “gut brain retraining” entail? Beyond talk therapy, “gut brain retraining” or “limbic system retraining” entails tapping into the unconscious mind to gain awareness and clarity of the negative emotions, limiting beliefs or former traumas keeping your body stuck in “fight or flight” and then releasing them through a variety of guided exercises, visualizations and coaching.  

This type of work has been so powerful in my health journey, that I now integrate it into my functional medicine practice with my patients.    

Other helpful “gut brain retraining” tools may include: 

  • Bio-feedback: Brain Tap, Heart Math, Microcurrent therapy 
  • The Gupta Program or DNRS Program 
  • Meditation, prayer and yoga

#10. Love Your Gut 

I mentioned trusting your gut, but LOVING my gut was also one of the biggest “game changers” in my healing, alongside limbic system retraining and prayer.   

Instead of “hating my gut” with tons of binders, anti-fungals and “killing the pathogens” for months on end, I implemented short-term detox protocols, followed by a HUGE emphasis on “building up my good gut bug army” with foods, lifestyle habits and supplements to support “gut love.” Some of my top picks included:  

  • High dose, quality probiotics and prebiotics  
  • Adding in resistant starch and soluble fiber (doubling my fiber intake to about 20-30 grams) with cooked veggies 
  • Varying my diet—gradually building up tolerance, while taking high-dose digestive enzymes, apple cider vinegar and HCL, gentle antimicrobials and saccromyces boulardii, in addition to my probiotics 
  • Healing my leaky gut: bone broths and bone broth protein, colostrum, minerals 
  • Varying up my workouts (ie. Not high intensity every single day) and sleeping enough 
  • Listening to my body 

How to Detox from Mold Naturally: 8 Steps  

So how to detox from mold?  

While most random Dr. Google articles will tell you things like: take lots of binders and eat an anti-candida diet or “use bleach” to “kill mold spores” (BAD choice—this spreads mold), I’ve found there are actually 8 steps or phases to the mold detox process.   

My Mold Detox Protocol: 7 Steps  

  • Step 1: Stabilize the Immune System & Stress Response 
  • Step 2: Support Natural Drainage  
  • Step 3: Lay the Foundations (Gut, Brain & Mitochondria) 
  • Step 4: Add in Binders + Liver & Gallbladder Supports 
  • Step 5: Start Anti-fungals & Antimicrobials 
  • Step 6: Make Peace with Food 
  • Step 7: Rebuild the Gut  
  • Step 8: Detox Daily

Step 1: Stabilize the Immune System 

Step 1 is essential if you are highly reactive and stuck in the cell danger response (ie. Sensitivities to seemingly EVERYTHING). Some people will need more time than others. Listen to your body and don’t move to Step 2 until you are not so reactive to “everything.”   

During this step, the goal is symptom, stress and flare ‘relief’ so the body can be in a place to begin healing.   

Step 1 entails:  

  1. Get out of the moldy environment triggering your exposures the most (even if this means a vacation, an Air BNB, camping, somewhere different than your stressful environment)[Text Wrapping Break] 
  1. Supplement and consume natural antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers (especially during a flare)—find which one works for you, such as: [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Superfoods[Text Wrapping Break] 
  • Natural H1 blockers: cilantro, basil, thyme, ginger, onion, mangosteen, nigella sativa  
  • Natural H2 blockers: holy basil and ginger 
  • Additional H1-H2 Histamine Blocker: Once natural anti-histamines are up and running with food, incorporate  an additional H1-H2 Histamine Blocker if needed. Options: Additional dose of Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec—10 mg during the day 

Supplements Recommendations (find on the FullScript Store unless indicated) 

 

  • ‘Calm’ the stress response with the following practices 
  • Prayer and singing 
  • Deep breathing 
  • Meditation 
  • Yoga  
  • Nature and fresh air 
  • People who lift you up/connecting with others

Step 2: Support Natural Drainage   

“Drainage” is code word for your “natural cleansing channels”—the organs that assist in eliminating toxins, including:   

Your Natural Drains 

  • liver (filters toxins) 
  • gallbladder (creates bile, helps you poo)  
  • kidneys (urine) 
  • skin (sweat) 
  • colon (poo) 
  • lymphatic system and circulatory system (cells, bacteria, wastes) 
  • lungs (breath, carbon dioxide)

For proper detox, we need all these channels moving and grooving. I integrate a variety of “drainage” supports for my patients.   

Take a Homeopathic or Drainage Supplement for Kidneys, Liver & Lymph 

I customize these to my clients if they are ready for this level of support to assist their body in natural elimination and detox (BEFORE bringing in binders).   

Nasal Washes & Clearing 

Your nasal passages are the “gateway” for mold sports (particularly for your lungs and gut). Keep em clean with NasoPure washes, Xlear and Ag23 in a nasal spray bottle if tolerated.   

Poo Daily 

If you are not pooping daily, you’re not going to get far in detox.  

  • Magnesium glycinate at bedtime and/or buffered vitamin C (1 tsp every hour until a bowel movement is produced=dose) 
  • Digestive bitter herbs (Iberogast) 
  • Coffee enemas, no more than 1x per day 
  • Smooth Move tea

Sweat Daily 

  • Infrared sauna 
  • Detox baths 
  • Movement/exercise 
  • Red light therapy

Move Your Lymph 

  • Dry brushing 
  • Rebounding 
  • Inversion 
  • Walks/standing breaks 
  • Massage

Step 3: Lay the Foundations (Gut, Brain & Mitochondria)  

The gut is the gateway to total health. It’s where 70-80% of your immune system is housed and it’s responsible for 80% of all communication to the brain (your gut bacteria release chemicals and signals).  

Sooo…if our gut is healthy, theirs a good chance, we feel healthier and stronger all around (mentally and physically).  

Before jumping into heavy duty binders and ‘killing pathogens’, we want to make sure that the foundations for your body’s “gut bug army” and immune system are into place to put up a good (productive) fight.   

Step 3 entails:  

  1. Ensuring your digestive mechanics are working in tip top shape (enzymes, stomach acid) 
  2. Supporting leaky gut repair (colostrum, bone broth, minerals)  
  3. Boosting mitochondria (the “powerhouse” energy of your cells) with a broad spectrum mitochondrial supplement and a nutrient-dense real food diet. (I customize mitochondrial support for my patients based on their sensitivities and need, but a general formula may look something like this.  
  4. Limbic system retraining (see my lessons above to see what I mean)—this is CRITICAL for healing from toxic mold illness

Step 4: Add in Binders (Plus Liver & Gallbladder Support) 

 Binders act like “mops” to mop up mycotoxins and other toxins in the body.   

I customize binders depending on the types of mycotoxins present in any test results as well as the strength and reactivity of the patient. For example, I personally did not tolerate many binders well, but I did very well with triple probiotic therapy and soluble fibers.  

We can find the best approach for you!  

Binder Examples  

  • Chlorella 
  • Zeolite 
  • Modified Citrus Pectin 
  • Activated Charcoal 
  • Bentonite Clay 
  • OptiFiber Lean  
  • BioActive Carbon 
  • Combo Formulas  
  • Saccharomyces boulardii 
  • Quality Probiotics, Soluble Fiber & Prebiotic Fiber 

As the binder comes on board, liver and gallbladder support can also be super helpful to ensure you are pooping daily and your gallbladder is releasing toxins into the bile.   

Some examples of liver and gallbladder supports include: phosphatydlcholine, liposomal curcumin, liposomal glutathione, liposomal vitamin C and bile salts. This is where IV nutrients (like phosphatydlcholine, glutathione and vitamin C may also come into play).    

Step 5: Start Anti-fungals & Antimicrobials  

Once your body is ‘on ramped’ with immune support, gut love and some binder action, anti-fungals and antimicrobials for targeting any excess fungal overgrowth and microbial imbalances (like SIBO or candida). Antifungals and antimicrobials are natural herbs (like oregano, berberine, Uva Ursi, etc.) that act like a firework to clear out any critters we don’t want there.   

You also don’t want to forget biofilm disruptors to help these natural agents “bust” through the steel walls and coatings that some bacteria develop to prevent you from “getting them.” Some examples of biofilm disruptors include: NAC, bismuth and certain enzymes.  

You definitely want to work with a practitioner for this step so as to avoid a “herx” reaction (a negative detox reaction).   

Step 6: Make Peace with Food  

Have no fear!   

ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) is common in those with MCAS, based upon former negative experiences with all sorts of foods (such as an episode of reactive hypoglycemia after eating a sweet potato, stomach cramps after eating an apple or tongue swelling after eating sunflower seed butter).   

As a result, many people’s diets become super limited to 5-10 foods out of fear of how foods make them feel. Speak nourishment and healing into your body during meal times, and just because you reacted negatively in the past to certain foods, the more you focus on healing from the inside out, the more you will have freedom to expand your diet. Trust the process.  

Continue with a low histamine and/or autoimmune paleo diet if needed (these can be helpful), while also maintaining a BIG focus on ensuring diversity and variety on your plate. When we eat the same things every single day, we foster a non-diverse microbiome and continued suppressed immune system. Even if “diversity” means eating a purple or yellow carrot, instead of an orange carrot.   

Remember: The healthier your gut, the stronger your immune system.  

Step 7: Rebuild the Gut  

After you’ve done some “clearing” and detoxing of the excess toxins and fungal overgrowth, it’s time to rebuild the gut and pump it up back to great health.   

During this step, I will often integrate a “Triple Probiotic Therapy” approach with quality probiotics and prebiotics and continue to work with the patient on expanding their diet. 

Step 8: Detox Daily  

Daily detox is essential in our toxic world. Do your best to incorporate and build upon the amazing healing work you’ve done to date. Integrate as many simple detox practices into your daily life as possible.   

Daily Detox Habit Ideas 

  • Infrared sauna or hot-cold therapy  
  • Drink a green juice, daily 
  • Drink bone broth/meat broth (if not histamine intolerant) 
  • Use fresh herbs and spices in cooking 
  • Dry brushing 
  • Deep breathing practice 
  • Oil pulling 
  • Rebounding 
  • Coffee enemas 
  • Fresh air walks 
  • Drink half your body weight in ounces of clean water 
  • Replace the plastics with glassware, stainless steel and porcelain  
  • Take digestive bitter herbs with meals to encourage daily poos 
  • Take a detox bath, sit in a hot tub or hot bath 
  • Drink clean water 
  • Eat something green with each meal 
  • Aim to consume 7 to 9 different plants each day  
  • Replace a toxic product with non-toxic product  
  • Take a daily binder—away from foods and other supplements 
  • Take a daily fiber supplement 
  • Replace coffee with herbal tea 
  • Yoga practice 
  • Ozone therapies 
  • Sleep well—7 to 9 hours in a pitch black, cool room 
  • Cut the sugar, sweeteners and anything in a package for the day (ie. Shakes, bars, chips, etc.—even paleo processed foods) 
  • Buy organic, pastured, wild-caught and local as much as possible 
  • IV nutrients (PC, glutathione, Vitamin C) 
  • Adjunct detox therapies: colonic hydrotherapy (occasionally), Frequency Specific Microcurrent therapy, acupuncture, lymphatic massage, etc.  

The sky is the limit!  You have so many ways on how to detox from mold naturally.

The Bottom Line: Believe Healing is Possible  

Never doubt in the dark, what God told you in the light.   

There were MANY MANY days that I wondered, “When will this end?!” And I prayed daily for healing. Well, I am here today to tell you: Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light:   

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).   

Healing and feeling (beyond) better is possible.  

Join Waitlist We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Please leave your valid email address below.