The human body accumulates toxins daily due to our digestive mechanism. A toxic is anything that enters your body or mind and hinders your natural state of being. These toxins tend to create imbalances over time that can lead to body malfunctioning/illness. There are mainly two types of sources of toxins

1. Physical Toxis – These are found in our food, personal and household products, water, and other environmental elements

2. Emotional Toxins- These are the negative thought patterns and beliefs which we develop from routine, stress and painful experience.

In Ayurveda, detoxification is required daily to eliminate toxins and maintain your inner state of healthy well-being. An average detox lasts for several weeks. One must always undertake a three-day detox as it can give you many benefits by renewing your body’s capacity and self-regulation. It is a holistic science that helps maintain the harmony of your body, mind, and spirit or consciousness.

This healing intervention includes diet and lifestyle guidelines, herbal remedies, yoga, and meditation practices. 

Ayurvedic Detox

Ayurvedic Detoxification ways and treatments come from long-establishes percepts of Ayurvedic medicine. To ensure and maintain health, one should maintain a balance between the three doshas- Vata, Kapha, and Pitta, and the five world elements- Vayu (air), Prithvi (earth), Teja (fire), Aakash (space), and Jala (water).

Detoxes are meant to be a routine part of restoring the perfect balance to your health. Keeping in mind that every individual has unique dosha and personality traits, an ayurvedic detox can help in cleaning your bodily impurities and toxins.

In addition to the detox, dietary and lifestyle changes are also suggested to achieve a balance of doshas.

Bodily Detox (Purvakarma and Panchakarma)

Purvakarma is a therapy meant to send toxins to your bowls and the surface of your skin for excretion. This therapy involves oil massage, steaming, and Shirodhara treatment.

Panchakarma is a more intensive therapy that rejuvenates your body and strengthens the detox. Panchakarma includes the 5 Karmas (treatments)

1. Virechan (cleaning using powders, pastes, or heater medicinal plants)

2. Vaman (forced vomition or purging)

3. Basti (massage and enemas)

4. Rakta Moksha (blood detoxification)

5. Nyasa (Nasal clearance)

Dietary Modification

Dietary modification plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy bowel movement and effective detoxification. It includes- avoiding alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweetener, red meat, and processed food as these are the causes that build up toxins inside your body. It is advisable to follow Ayurvedic Diet depending on your dosha.

There are few tips for dietary modification:

– Primary consumption of water

– Having meals at the same time, each day

– Following mono-diet

Meditation and Yoga

Meditation and Yoga are important factors in Ayurvedic Detoxification. Mental detox includes breathing exercises, engaging all five senses, and letting go of negative thoughts. Daily yoga and meditation, along with breathing techniques, can help an individual to disconnect from daily distractions, reduce the mental stress level, and anxiety, and also increase creativity and self-awareness.