Detoxification with Ayurveda  and Process of Detoxification

Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic procedure used to cleanse the body by removing toxic substances from the body, which accumulate in different channels due to poor digestive power, faulty diet habits, and poor nutrition.

"Panch" (Five), Karma (procedures) includes 1) Vamana 2) Virechana 3) Basti 4) Nasya 5) Rakthmokshan.

The therapies involved in this process work to loosen up the Aama (Toxins) from the deep tissues of the body to remove the toxins through the body's natural channels of elimination.

Spring - The ideal time for cleansing Many people feel the signs of ama buildup in the Spring Season (late February to early April), more than at other times of the year. This is mainly due to the fact that the toxins already present in the body start to display their symptoms during this time. The fact is, most of us do not follow a proper seasonal routine during the winter months (November to February), and the body ends up accumulating more toxins, thereby blocking the channels. At the same time, due to the cold temperature, the ama freezes in the walls of these channels.

Even though you might not experience as many symptoms of ama during this time, your condition could worsen by the time spring comes. As it becomes warmer outside, the frozen ama starts to melt and flows into the body's channels. As a result, the channels get flooded with toxins, thereby highlighting the symptoms of ama presence. Because the body is already in the toxin elimination mode, spring becomes the best time to use Panchakarma and support the detoxification process.

If you answer "YES" to the majority of the questions below, that means you are having poor digestion, resulting in excessive accumulation of toxins i.e. "Aama" in your body. That means it's time for Detoxification.

I tend to feel obstruction/blockages in my body – constipation, congestion/heaviness in the head area, blocked nose, or a general feeling of non-clarity. When I wake up in the morning, I do not feel clear; it takes me quite some time to feel really awake. I tend to feel tired or exhausted mentally and physically. I get common colds or similar ailments several times a year. I tend to feel heaviness in my body. I tend to feel that something is not functioning properly in the body – breathing, digestion, elimination, or other. I tend to feel lazy (i.e., the capacity to work is there, but there is no inclination). I often suffer from indigestion. I tend to spit repeatedly or have a bad taste in my mouth. Often, I have no taste for food and no real appetite. My tongue is often coated with a thick film, especially in the morning.

The Detoxification Process Before you undertake the process of Panchakarma, you should visit an Ayurvedic doctor who will determine your body constitution and current state of doshas. After identifying the cause of ama production in your body, he/she will be able to pick the tissues, channels, and organs that need to be addressed through Panchakarma and accordingly devise the right detox program specific to your needs. An ideal Panchakarma detox program consists of three phases – Purvakarma, Pradhankarma, and Paschatkarma – which are described below.

Purvakarma – Snehana, Abhyanga, and Swedana. These pre-treatment techniques serve to prepare the body for the ama elimination process. Snehana (oleation) is the first step of Purvakarma and it consists of saturating the body with medicated oils to loosen ama and move it from deeper tissues into the gastrointestinal tract, from where it can be more easily cleansed. External oleation is called Abhyanga, which means complete body massage with medicated oils. Once the massage is completed, Swedana (steaming) is performed to dilate the channels and foster easy removal of ama.

Pradhankarma – Vamana, Virechana, Basti, etc. After Purvakarma, the ama moves into the gastrointestinal tract. Here, some main Panchakarma therapies such as Vamana (emesis), Nasya (nose cleaning), Virechana (purgation), and Basti (enema) can be used to remove ama through the body’s normal channels of elimination.

Paschatkarma – Right Diet and Lifestyle Paschatkarma refers to the set of procedures that are followed after the main Panchakarma therapies. This phase aims at reestablishing body immunity and metabolism. Most people do not realize that neglecting these post-treatment procedures may end up destabilizing the digestion process, thereby leading to continued ama production. Even after your Panchakarma treatment is over, it is advisable to keep eating light, nourishing foods, such as khichari and mung dal soup for a few days. Also, remember to gradually return to your regular activities and diet so that your body.