by Stephanie Ray, BCN, ND
Naturopath, formulator, mom

When we think of independence, we often think of external freedoms—choices, rights, and the ability to act or move without restraint. These are essential. But what we don’t always consider is that our capacity to fully exercise those freedoms often depends on something more intimate: the state of our health.

As a naturopath and Chinese herbalist, I’ve seen time and again that true independence is guided by the body’s natural design. It’s the ability of the body to process what it takes in, release what it doesn’t need, and maintain internal harmony.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the bowels, liver, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract form a coordinated system for releasing waste and maintaining inner harmony, the organs of elimination. These determine not just how we digest, but how we think, feel, and respond to the world around us. When these systems flow, so do we.

Follow the Paths of Elimination

The Bowels – The Exit Path
If waste isn’t moving regularly, the by-products of digestion and detoxification recirculate through the bloodstream. This often shows up as sluggishness, irritability, and even emotional resistance.

The Liver – The General of the Army
In Chinese medicine, the liver is known as the General—it decides what stays, what goes, and how well we adapt. Its job is to transform harmful compounds into something the body can eliminate. But if the liver becomes overburdened, that process slows—and we feel it.

The GI Tract – The Buffer Zone
When the liver or bowels are backed up, the GI tract compensates—and it shows up as gas, bloating, burping, or indigestion. The reverse is also true: when elimination flows well, the GI stays calm and clear.

These three systems—bowels, liver, and GI—form the base of what I call “functional independence.” When they’re working in harmony, the body is primed to safely release deeper toxic burdens. This is when detoxification formulas like NDF® and NDF® Plus can act most effectively—binding and removing heavy metals and chemicals without causing additional stress. When these pathways are open and moving, the formulas can do their job with precision and efficiency.

Food Is Foundational

Food is fuel—and it’s also your future. Studies show most of us are willing to spend a bit more on food that’s cleaner, safer, and better for long-term health. This willingness reflects something deeper: we value what nourishes us. And that includes how we choose to spend our money.

Every dollar you invest in high-quality food is a vote for your well-being—and for your children’s health as well. Choose ingredients that work with your biology, not against it. You don’t need to overhaul your kitchen overnight. 

• Fresh produce over packaged snacks

• Filtered water over sugary drinks

• Mindful portions instead of “eat until it’s gone”

Circulation is Liberation: Move What Stagnates

Exercise is another form of detox. It helps circulate blood, lymph, and emotions. But the kind of movement that works best depends in part on your constitution. One lens I find helpful in practice is blood type:

This framework isn’t rigid, but it offers insight into how movement and food can work with your body’s design—not against it. When we move in ways that feel aligned, we help our systems eliminate waste, regulate emotions, and support our brain and energy.

Spirituality Grounds the Body’s Wisdom

In Traditional Chinese Medicine and other rooted healing systems, the Shen (spirit) is not separate from the body—it lives in the heart and expresses through the eyes, breath, and presence. When Shen is disturbed, we may see anxiety, insomnia, scattered focus, and a sense of disconnection. When Shen is nourished, there is peace, clarity, and a deep capacity to heal.

Spiritual practices—whether it’s prayer, meditation, time in nature, meaningful connection, or quiet reflection—help us return to our center. These moments settle the nervous system, ease liver Qi, and restore the relationships between mind, organ, and intention.

You don’t have to call it spirituality. For some, it’s simply the sense that there’s more than the sum of our cells. And when that perspective is included, everything else functions more smoothly. We digest more fully, detox more efficiently, and recover more quickly.

The Takeaway

True independence isn’t only political or personal—it’s biological. When your elimination pathways are open, your food supports your function, your movement keeps energy circulating, and your spirit is nourished, you begin to feel more capable, clearer, and connected.

These are freedoms we can choose every day—and they extend not only to us but also to our children, our community, and even the animals we care for.