Have you ever thought about why it is important to detox our body regularly?

Have you ever thought about why it is important to detox our body regularly?

Ayurveda says the accumulation of toxins in our body imbalances it’s natural balance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha

Our body continuously produces toxins or free radicals as byproducts of biochemical processes taking place in it. Toxins can also be generated in our body when it encounters any physical or emotional stress. Also, toxins can enter our body from food and the environment. Our body tries to metabolize and eliminate most of the toxins through our kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin, but when our body can’t eliminate the toxins on its own, they start accumulating.

Toxins or Aama as it is called in Ayurveda when produced and accumulated as a result of improper digestion, absorption, and excretion of food, slow the absorption of nutrients. It clogs the whole system and cannot be excreted properly. Moreover, it weakens the metabolic fire and hinders the movement of enzymes at the tissue levels due to poor absorption and hence results in slow metabolic process, which in turn leads to illnesses.

The tridoshas act at different levels in the body for the absorption, assimilation, and excretion of food. Any disruption at any of these levels leads to the accumulation of Aama. This slows down the metabolic processes because the Aama further disrupts the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha balance, which slows normal body functions. The presence and accumulation of Aama also affect our mental and spiritual balance by unbalancing the doshas.

Ayurveda suggests to get rid of  these toxins from our body regularly to keep our Tridoshas in balance. For mild and chronic illnesses, Ayurveda offers unique detox processes to eliminate deeply seated toxins responsible for disease in the deep tissue layers. It is called Pañcha karma. It helps eliminate these toxins from the body, restoring tissues, channels, and mental functions. 

 The Six therapies in Pañcha karma are divided into two categories:

 1) Toning/nourishing 

 2) Reducing/detoxifying

The six major therapeutic categories are either toning or reducing in nature. 

1. Reducing the body or making it light. Expelling the doshas out of the body through decoction enema, emesis.

2. Nourishing the body. This includes bathing, oil massage, oil enema, sleep, nutritive enemas, warm milk with whole sugar, almonds, tahini, organic dairy, and ghee.  

3. Drying or producing roughness in the body. This therapy is applied when there are excesses of Kapha.

4. Oleation or applying oil to the body to create softness, fluidity, and moistness. 

5. Sudation or sweating removes stiffness, heaviness, and coldness. Sweating techniques such as warm water, steam, and medicated lotions are used.

6. Astringent balances the flow of bodily fluids and prevents mobility. They are used more for Pitta excesses.

The therapeutic measures involved for each category primarily include herbs, foods, internal and external application of oils; fasting, and exercise. Below are listed the respective therapeutic measures

Preliminary therapies before Pañcha karma is employed, persons first reduce the excessed doshas and cleanse toxins from their system. This is achieved by eating lightly spiced meals according to their dosha.

Ten therapies are useful in Purva karma, also known as Palliation or Shamana.

Palliation generally lasts for three months, one month, or one week. Conversely, healthy persons undergoing Pañcha karma merely for enhancement or prevention may skip the palliation therapies.

After palliation therapies remove toxins, two main Preliminary therapies are used, Oleation and Sweating.

Shamana - Palliation 

1. Oil Massage 

2. Sweat Therapy 

3. Herbal Tonics

4. Oils & Ghee

5. Exercise

6. Food

7. Aromas

8. Colors/Environment/Meals

9. Lifestyle

10. Sadhana

The therapeutic measures involved for each category primarily include herbs, foods, internal and external application of oils; fasting, and exercise. Below are listed the respective therapeutic measures.

Oil Therapy

Oil is used, both internally and externally, it is a very important Ayurvedic therapy in which warm, medicinal oils are applied in large amounts all over the body.

Sweating

13 forms of sweat therapy are described. Oil massage is required before initiating any of the methods.

After sweating people receive massage followed by a warm water bath to calm the body and to get rid of the toxins that have been expelled on the skin.

Pañcha karma therapies start after sweating, first day with Vamana—the second day after sweating Virechana—third day after sweating Basti, followed by Nasya, and then Bloodletting.

Pañcha karma helps to bring toxins to their sites of origin to be properly eliminated. This detoxification process happens without discomfort or withdrawal symptoms, and the body gets rid of toxins completely.

Sources

https://books.google.com/books?id=1OkrH1ZYPOwC&lpg=PP1&dq=inauthor%3A%22Swami%20Sadashiva%20Tirtha%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false