Ayurveda has a very long tradition involving several means of detox recognised through numerous cultures and traditions where the body and soul are cleansed. The ayurvedic teachings clearly put forth the importance and the several aspects of means, modes, and techniques of detox therapy to take the strain off the body, providing restoration of overall health. An Ayurvedic detox may last 3–45 days, depending on the practices involved.
There are several interpretations in understanding ayurvedic detox.
Explanation One: Understanding Detox through Teachings
According to ayurvedic teaching, impaired digestive strength ends up in the accumulation of undigested metabolic intermediate products called Ama. Ama acts as a toxin in the body and can inhibit the free transportation of substances through the body’s natural pathways because of its peculiarity of sticky nature. Ama weakens the well-functioning digestive system leading to several medical complications. When the digestive system gets weakened, the intestines produce mucous more than the required quantity to excrete the toxins accumulating in the body. This initiates imbalance in functioning of related tissues and cells resulting in several complexities like formation of uric acid crystals in gout, or immune complexes for kidney function and vascular inflammation.
Ayurvedic detox comes into play at this juncture to expel the toxins from the body, cleansing the intestines, blood vessels clearing the blood streams, helping detoxification of liver, kidney, or bowel. This restores the well-functioning of the digestive system and retains the overall proper functioning of the body. Many followers of Ayurveda not only follow a traditional diet but also engage in regular detoxes that are believed to rid the body and mind of toxins, ultimately preventing illnesses.
Detox in Ayurveda stands mainly for healthy nourishment for body and soul- the inner aspect and the outer or spiritual aspect. Researchers in epigenetics hold that living with wholehearted approach with love, affection, and actions coupled with passion reduces the genetic risk factor for cancer- as mentioned in ayurvedic teachings. Not letting the negative emotions creep through – is also a form of indirect ayurvedic detoxification.
An ayurvedic detox therapy seeks to understand the causes for the imbalance. The presence of excess Ama in the form of excess food, uncontrolled alcohol, or an unbalanced use of sugar. These result in weak body, sluggishness, heavily exhausted, tastelessness, which might be felt uncontrolled or in an irregular pattern the goes unnoticed- to make the matters worse. Ayurvedic detox therapy is a solution to these concerns as it acts as a regular check on the compiling pollutants in different forms in the body.
A detox therapy can be undertaken at any time; however, two important requirements are mandatory – TIME and REST. Detox therapy means internal cleansing which is not an easy task to complete without giving the body the necessary time to expel the toxins and provide the rest for the body to restore its strength.
Through ayurvedic teachings, it is clearly put forth that there are ten signs of Ama associated with doshas. They are as follows:
Srotorodha -blockade of the body’s natural channels;
Apakti – digestive disorder;
Bala Bhramsha – weakness;
Gaurava – heaviness in the body or in the parts of the body;
Aruchi – tastelessness;
Klama – exhaustion without having done anything;
Anila Mudhata – No movement in the body/ Vata is inactive;
Mala Sangha – Accumulation of waste products (Mala)
Nishthiva – Accumulation of saliva in the mouth (compulsion to spit) (usually with bad smell);
Alasya – listlessness;
The ayurvedic detox therapy is to eliminate these Ama and to restore equilibrium to the dosha or functional principles, along with the improvement of Agni or the digestive strength, while eliminating Ama or toxins of various forms. Eventhough there are several means for detoxification; the most long-term effective way is the Panchakarma, which is also referred to as ‘five detox process’ in Sanskrit, is a transformative ayurvedic therapy to remove toxins and to restore the natural constitution of body.
The five Panchakarma treatments are: Nasya – Cleansing of five Sense Organs and Nervous System through nostrils; Vamana – Cleansing of Digestive System, by medically induced vomiting; Virechana – Cleansing of intestines in stomach, through medically induced purgation; Basti – Cleansing of colon, enema by inducing ayurvedic herbal oils/decoctions; Rakta Mochana – Cleansing of Blood, with the help of leeches;
Explanation Two: As a Base of Ayurvedic medicine
Ayurveda divides the world into five elements — Vayu (air), Prithvi (earth), Teja (fire), Aakash (space), and Jala (water). Various combinations of each element are believed to form three humors, also known as doshas, which are responsible for different physiological functions in your body. The three doshas are vata, kapha, and pitta. To ensure proper health, you’re meant to maintain balance between the three doshas, as well as the five elements. If this balance is found, it is said to have a disease. Detoxes are meant to be a routine part of restoring balance to your health.
Ayurvedic medicinal sources recommend detoxing at the start of each season to rid your body of toxins, or Ama, that may have accumulated during the previous season from food, stress, and other factors. Ayurvedic detox recommends daily detoxification through food modification for physical health. Smooth digestion diet is recommended for the same. While meditation is suggested for mental health.
Ayurvedic medicine is always for a cure. So do detox. Detox in Ayurveda is only recommended if there is an imbalance and not otherwise. Self-induced means and measures may result in several severe unhealthy results including dehydration, nutrient deficiency, electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure or even cardio-vascular complications. Hence it is suggested to follow the directions of a trained practitioner while following ayurvedic detox.
How effective can detox be?
Body movements and detox are intertwined. According to Ayurveda, anything that puts pressure on the body system is unsustainable as it goes opposing support to life. A lifestyle need not be perfect for it to be sustainable. The most important aspect is that it should be balanced and caters to all aspects of life which includes emotional, mental, and physical health. Ayurvedic detox helps in achieving this facet of life.
The effectiveness of detox links not only to acceptance of the understanding of the difference in the constitution of the body and related adjustments, but also to the proper measures in importing the adjustments according to the needs. It is like having sugar as per the taste provided by the tongue and the diabetic nature of the person irrespective of the likeness of the taste. In other words, it might be easy to cook and have food that a person likes, but if it leads to indigestion- then it is the most harmful to the body as it is a form of intentional accumulation of toxins in the body.
Ayurvedic Detox and Diet
An unhealthy diet, alcohol, nicotine, and other pollutants not only weaken the body, but also increases negative emotions bringing in unstable mental health. This leads to abnormal immune responses negatively effecting the basic constitutional functionality of the body through misfunctioning of the digestive system, intestines, imbalanced hormones unstable blood pressure, varied sugar levels and many more. Letting the emotions flow without being repressed is the solution, which is also a method of detoxification of negative emotions. Relationships, whether of personal, social, political, or official, are all influenced by the constitution of our body. Ayurvedic detox, through its systematic means of processes, bring it to the balanced constitutional functionality of the body irrespective of the body parts separately.
The resting and rejuvenating body and spirit is the aim of detox. When the diet is bringing balance and continue to provide it, the accumulation of waste in the body is least. So detox is naturally undertaken by the body through balanced excretion in the form of urine, stool and sweat. When there is an imbalance, the process of vomiting is a symptom of a disease.
Similarly, there is link between physical health, mental health, and diet. Diet provides balance to physical health controlling the mental health and vice versa. Any imbalance in any one of these elements shall lead to the imbalance of the other, ultimately leading to the condition referred as disease. Hence it is important to keep the balance between diet, physical health, and mental health.
Body functions and Detox process
Liver, kidneys, intestinal tract, and skin are four major organs that eliminate toxins from the body.
Liver filters the blood: Liver plays a major role in detoxifying the body from harmful substances generated in the body.so that they do not accumulate and cause damage internally. These substances can come from within or outside the body.
- Substances that come from within the body include hormones, such as oestrogen, aldosterone, and diuretic hormone.
- Substances that come from outside the body include alcohol and other drugs, such as amphetamines, barbiturates, and steroids.
The Ayurvedic detox is a traditional component of Ayurveda, an ancient healing practice from India. Ayurvedic detox is a foundational therapy to cure all sorts of illness. The detoxification leads to restoring natural biochemistry, which in turn leads to better metabolism, restores hormonal balance, and improved blood circulation. So what is required is mindful eating with a wholesome diet and not stomach full eating to reduce the need of detox. Ayurvedic detox may aid weight loss but it is not the goal of detox.
The role of Ayurmanthra in ayurvedic detox
The trained practitioners at Ayurmanthra help to identify the dosha in the person and provides necessary advices and options to resolve this bodily imbalance. The appropriate means and measures effectuated through the required processes and procedures are detailed according to the body and mental strength of the person. As this is a traditional healing practice, patience is mandatory where the peacefulness of the mind is necessary. Mental health and its stability are taken care of as part of the healing process. As mentioned earlier, the need for good and healthy diet, physical health and mental health are intertwined and is inseparable which mandates the processes mandatory too. Ayurmanthra plays a vital role in improving the health of the person as it is the prime objective of the institution as it is based on traditional notion of ‘Aditi Devo Bhava’.
The natural way of healing through traditional ayurvedic detox measures is an identity of Ayurmanthra.