We live in a world where we are constantly exposed to toxins. Whether it is in the form of the air that we inhale, or the food that we claim to nourish our bodies with, or even the jobs that we go to every day, exposes us to indefinite amounts of stress on a daily basis. When these toxins accumulate in our body, it results in continued fatigue, issues with digestion, low immunity and mental stress. Ayurveda, the ancient science of holistic wellness, suggests expelling these toxins from the body in a natural manner without causing any side effects and balancing the body, mind, and the soul to replenish our bodies with strength, good health, and prevent diseases. Ayurveda offers detox therapies to help eliminate toxins from the body and rejuvenate from within. Our bodies are like open-ended pipes; as long as the bad blockage is not cleared and expelled from the body, no matter what amount of elixir we pour in, our bodies cannot absorb the healthy changes. To transform truly, one needs to detox first.
Why is Ayurvedic detox needed?
It’s interesting to question why one needs detox, in spite of freshening up every day? Well, detox is a skin-deep process that not only clears unnecessary waste from our body, but also helps us get rid of toxins, and creates space in our body to absorb nutrients, and the effects of further ayurvedic remedies and treatments. A natural cleansing through Ayurveda includes clearing the body from within by removing toxins and also balancing the three doshas of the body – Vata, Pitta and Kapha that constitute our bodies. As per Ayurveda, a detox goes beyond simply flushing the digestive system. It includes cleansing the body from within, by clarifying the tissues, replenishing energy and building immunity and overall strength. The ayurvedic detox can be achieved by Ayurvedic detox therapies like Panchkarma, massage therapies like Abhyanga, herbal teas and concoctions and even meditation to balance the body entirely. Such detox therapies are a reason why Ayurveda is called a system of holistic wellness.
How does today’s modern lifestyle affect the accumulation of toxins?
Exposure to pollution and harmful chemicals – Today’s modern lifestyle exposes us to unlimited amounts of pollution and harmful chemicals. Whether these are in the form of the air that we breathe in or the food that we consume, all are laden with pesticides, harmful fertilisers, and chemicals that contribute to an overload of toxins in our bodies.
Consumption of processed and chemical-laden food – Unlike earlier times, today we have fast food takeaways and processed foods around every corner and they constitute a major part of our everyday diet. Whether it is in the parties that we attend or the birthdays where we share food with our friends, we are exposed to a huge amount of harmful calories and processed chemical laden food. Something as basic and everyday ingredients like sugar, rice and pulses are also coated in harmful chemicals. This exposes us to a huge amount of toxins and processed junk.
Stress and sedentary habits – Nowadays, people are more glued to their screens. Whether it is school-going kids who watch television, or working professionals stuck with their laptops, screens dominate our lives and therefore, it results in a lack of physical movement, the development of sedentary habits and unwanted stress.
Irregular eating – Unlike earlier times, where people religiously followed the Ayurvedic Dinacharya and led their days with the sun, meaning that they would wake up with the rising sun, and have their last meals by the sunset. Today, people work against the natural patterns of their bodies and tend to have late night sessions which lead to late night munching, overeating, and even unhealthy snacking options that result in creating imbalances in the body.
How Ayurveda looks at detox – 3 step process
Eliminate toxins – The primary aim of Ayurvedic detox is to expel harmful toxins from the body and prepare space for healing.
Improve Jatharagni (digestive fire) – Jatharagni in Ayurveda refers to the digestive fire which helps break down the food and aid in digestion. A strong Jatharagni prevents toxin build up and keeps the system internally healthy.
Balance the three doshas – All the ayurvedic treatments and therapies revolve around .balancing the three doshas in the human body. It is the imbalance of these doshas that give way to lifestyle diseases and illnesses. Ayurveda addresses detox by balancing these three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Natural ways to detox the body as per Ayurveda
- Consumption of herbal teas and concoctions such as Trifla, ginger and Tulsi kadha and cumin, coriander, and fennel drink.
- Eating Satvik food made up of easy and digestible ingredients, which are locally sourced and freshly prepared.
- Practicing Gandushkriya (oil pulling) with oil such as coconut or sesame to pull out the toxins accumulated on the tongue overnight, to be performed first thing in the morning.
- Abhyanga (full body oil massage) refers to massaging the entire body with warm oils in gentle rhythmic strokes with an appropriate amount of pressure.
- Swedana (sweating treatments) refers to therapies where steam is used to release toxins from the body through the medium of sweat. This helps in easing the muscles and also boosting skin health.
- Yoga and Pranayama (the yogic breath work) are techniques prescribed by Ayurveda to calm the mind and cleanse the body and mind from within.
Panchkarma – the star detox therapy in Ayurveda
Panchkarma is the star therapy in Ayurveda for detox it is a five-step process that includes Vaman (Medical emesis therapy), Virechna (Purgation therapy), Basti (Enema therapy), Nasya (Medicated nasal administration) and Raktamakshana (Bloodletting therapy). Panchkarma aims to detox the body entirely from within and rejuvenate the body and mind. Panchkarma creates space for deep therapeutic healing and enhances overall wellness.
Conclusion
In a world dominated by stress, poor eating habits, and sedentary lifestyle choices, Ayurvedic detox becomes a must to seek balance, eliminate toxins, improve digestion, and eliminate seasonal and lifestyle diseases. Ayurvedic detox therapies not only clean the body, but they also rejuvenate the body and mind in a sustainable and healthy manner. If you want to experience authentic first-class detox therapies, going for an Ayurveda treatment in Kerala, offered by certified institutions like Lokah Ayurveda, can be an ideal choice
