Harmony Through Ayurvedic Purification
There are times, when you just feel a little under the weather. It might be fatigue, nausea or a migraine. Most of us simply ignore these signs, hoping they would disappear on their own, not acknowledging that maybe your body is trying to tell you something. Maybe something is wrong, and you need to pay heed to the alarm bells being set-off in your body.
The hustle has become so important, that we are ok with simply feeling ‘fine’ when it comes to our health. Many don’t even remember what it is like to feel like youthful self again. Feeling uneasy in your own body is a sign every one of us should take seriously. It is a sign that your body and mind are no longer in synch, and it is at this very early stage that you can do something about it to alleviate such imbalance.
Ayurveda, the ‘science of life’ itself offers humanity with all the knowledge we need to tune into our mind, body and soul, and restore its balance to improve the overall quality of our life. Ayurveda offers its followers with a healing system that honors the uniqueness of each and every individual. It is through this principal that it devices therapeutic strategies to restore harmony between our mind and body. One of the strategies it recommends is the process of Ayurvedic cleansing.
The Influence of Agni on Human Health
According to Ayurveda, it is ‘agni’ the metabolic fire that influences human health more than anything else in our lives. Agni is responsible for all processes that concerns with physiological transformations in our bodies. It is responsible for digestion, and assimilation of food in the GI tract, as well as the exchange of nutrition on cellular levels in our body. When ‘agni’ is imbalanced, it leaves the body defenseless against ailments chronic or otherwise.
As you can see ‘agni’ is responsible for the competent functioning of so many of our bodily functions. As such, it is our duty to protect ‘agni’ to enhance our overall health. There are so many ways to protect Agni, however the most significant Ayurvedic method to accomplish our goals here is through cleansing.
Understanding Ayurvedic Detoxification Methods and Mechanisms
The role of an Ayurvedic Cleanse is pretty straightforward and simple to understand. It focuses on eliminating toxins and excess vata, pitta, and kapha out of our tissue through our digestive tract. While this may be a challenging endeavor, the end result is definitely worth it.
Reaping the Rewards: Ayurvedic Cleanse Advantages
A proper cleanse imparts the following benefits in your body;
- Reinvigorate you with an enhanced sense of energy, and vitality.
- Promote Improved Health
- Profoundly nourish tissues and rejuvenate them
- Help individuals achieve their natural state of balance
- Promotes healthy body weight
- Promote adequate sleep
- Helps your mind achieve clarity with respect to mental, spiritual and emotional spheres.
- Eliminate toxins from your body.
Exploring Varied Paths: Ayurvedic Cleanse Methods
Ayurveda
suggests a variety of methodologies to achieve total cleanse of your body. They range from the shortest in duration to the most intricate method in the texts. Each of these approaches should be read thoroughly to understand which cleanse might be the most appropriate for you.
1. Revitalize Your Digestion in 24 Hours
This cleanse follows the shortest routine on this list. It recommends individuals with a one-day mono diet to rekindle the ‘agni’ and clear ‘ama’ within us. Usually, individuals following this approach subject themselves to only eating kitchari for a day, others choose to have a fruit or a glass of juice for a day.
Who Should Follow this Cleanse?
- You do not have the time or motivation needed for a longer cleanse routine
- You want to give your digestion a regular boost
- You a seeking a more frequent approach to cleansing than an occasional one.
Refrain from this Cleanse if;
- You are extremely weak and debilitated
- You are pregnant and breastfeeding
2. Three-Day Refresh: A Gentle Cleanse
This cleanse provides individuals with a dietary protocol to diligently follow, which simply consists of very light food like kitchari or grains. This cleanse is very brief and can be followed almost any time of the year. Just like the One Day Digestive Reset, it also rekindles the ‘agni’ and clarifies the ‘aama’ within us.
The three-day cleanse frees our body from ingesting harmful food that we normally subject ourselves to. This gives our ‘agni’ enough time to recuperate and reset itself. Overall, this cleanse can help clear the mind, improve our digestive process, and eliminate toxins and excess vata, pitta, and kapha from our body.
You should follow this cleanse if;
- You want an improved digestive system and a clearer mind
- You want to start small with your cleansing process
- You want more than a one-day cleanse, while also seeking something simple
Refrain from this Cleanse if;
- You are extremely weak and debilitated
- You are pregnant and breastfeeding
3. Time-Honored Ayurvedic Purification Rituals – (3 – 21 days)
This cleanse, unlike the previous two on this list, requires a whole lot more commitment from you, and is also relatively more challenging. You need a proper distraction free schedule to undertake this cleanse with the utmost sincerity. It can take anywhere from 3 to 21 days. The length of this cleanse depends entirely on you. The best results are experienced usually between a cleanse of 10-15 days. Although it can be done anytime of the year, we recommend you try it on the onset of spring or autumn for best results.
The cleanse can be divided into three phases, they are preparation, active cleansing and reintroduction. This is later followed by a period of rejuvenation. The structure of this cleanse is devised for the body to conveniently phase in and out of the cleansing process. The diet in this program mostly consists of vegetables, kitchari, and detoxifying teas and herbs. The diet is complimented with physical therapies such as oil massages, and gentle sweating.
You should follow this cleanse if:
- You have the will to carry out a longer cleansing process
- You have what it takes to maintain a strict diet for the duration of this cleanse
- You have cleansing at the highest priority in your life.
Refrain from this Cleanse if:
- You are extremely weak and debilitated
- You are pregnant and breastfeeding
4. Panchakarma: The Complete Ayurvedic Cleanse
Panchakarma is the most complex of all the programs listed above. In fact, it is a defining cleansing practice in Ayurveda. It is something that cannot be undertaken by any individual and help from a certified Ayurvedic practitioner is recommended. Panchakarma is a seasonal cleanse and should be carried out right around spring or fall. The length of this cleanse also depends on the needs of the individual.
Panchakarma is also unique in its approach to eliminating toxins in our body. It reverses the flow of nutrition, allowing toxins to move from the deeper tissues into our bloodstream, and from there into the digestive tract for elimination. Panchakarma is a very powerful cleanse as it intensifies the entire cleansing process, hunting down toxins from the deepest corners of our body and eliminating them effectively.
Panchakarma can either be carried out at home or at Ayurvedic retreat institution. It follows the same dietary guidelines (usually a mono diet of kitchari) as the above three cleansing programs. Remember, Panchakarma should only be carried out under the strict guidance of a professional.
You should follow this cleanse if:
- You have the will to carry out a deeper cleansing process
- You have the strength needed to carry out such an intense cleansing program
- You seek the best results out of your cleansing process
- You have the time needed to dedicate yourself to the cleanse
If you have any of the following symptoms, consult your primary care physician or a skilled Ayurvedic practitioner
- You are extremely weak and debilitated
- You are pregnant and breastfeeding
- You are over 60 years of age
- You suffer from chronic ailments
- You suffer from severe bleeding disorder
Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.
