Why Detox?
Everyday, our body is bombarded by harsh toxins and chemicals from our surrounding environment. Chemicals, pesticides, hormones and other pollutants are found in all the processed foods we eat, and often in the water we drink and the air we breathe. Although our bodies do have some inbuilt means of expelling toxins, there are now so many different substances passing into our bodies that the toxic burden can prove too great for many to deal with properly. If these harmful substances are left to accumulate we may become prone to chronic illnesses at both the physical and mental levels.
Under natural circumstances, the body is able to eliminate many of these toxic substances safely provided that is getting proper nutrition in sufficient quantities and the organs of detoxification are functioning at optimal levels. The main organs of detoxification are the skin, bowels, liver, kidney and lungs. In a natural habitat the human body will eliminate environmental toxins through perspiration, urination and bowel elimination.
Unfortunately we live in an environment and society that have made it more and more difficult for our bodies to detoxify efficiently. Whatever we ingest that the body cannot use nutritionally and is not excreted naturally will remain circulating in the blood and lymph systems, and longer term will be sequestered in the surrounding tissues. We therefore need to give our bodies some assistance in eliminating these harmful substances – and that is where the many forms of detox now available can help.
Detox Benefits
Simply put – consciously detoxing the body improves our quality of life. It leaves us feeling lighter and brighter both physically and mentally.
Some of the many benefits of detoxing the body are
- Removes harmful toxins
- Enhances immune systems function
- Restores balance to all bodily systems
- Increases energy
- Encourages mental and emotional clarity
Gentle Cleanse Routine
Below is an easily managed home seasonal cleansing 
practice of simple eating, lots of oil massage and a mild detoxification.
The cleanse can be used at anytime but is best utilised when the energy around us is in transition during 4 key points of the year when our Dosha (constitution) can easily go out of balance causing seasonal illnesses that we readily accept!
The 4 key dates for these transitional times are the Equinox and Solstice on 21st of March – June – September & December.
For more information on staying healthy and managing your diet during these times of change read Spring – the King of Seasons or you might like to practice Conscious Eating! If you are having a complete Spring clean then also check out how to keep your home healthy by reading – Detox your Home
During this whole regime eat only kicharee. This is a wonderful healing food that is known as ‘food of the gods’:
Kicharee Recipe
- 1/3 cup split mung dal, 2/3 basmati rice simmered in 3-4 cups of water (a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4).
- Add 1/4 tsp each of organic turmeric, ginger, roasted cumin and coriander.
- Add seasonal vegetables: spinach, peas, or seaweeds, shitake mushrooms for an all round healing, healthy and agni kindling meal.
- The rules are to cook it on a very low heat in a covered saucepan and DO NOT stir it after all the ingredients are added.
- Add a teaspoon of ghee or hemp seed oil at the end.
- Whilst fasting it can be useful to sip hot drinks; try spicy teas of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom to burn ama, clear toxins and relax your contracting stomach.
- Try Pukka herbs ‘Revitalising and Spicy” to warm the system or their ‘Detox’ tea to clear toxins.
Day 1-7
- Vigorously massage yourself from head to foot every day with 100-150ml warm organic sesame oil. Leave the oil on your body for 10 minutes. Then wash off in a hot bath or shower. This will dilate the surface of your skin and will clear toxins through the skin.
- Take a dose of Triphala every night. This is a mix of three herbs that are famed for their ability to mildly detoxify the blood and bowel. Take 3 capsules, 1 teaspoon or 75 drops of the tincture with a glass of warm water at night. Available organically from Pukka herbs.
- On day six take 1-2 teaspoons of castor oil to give the bowel a good purge (this is optional and not to be done by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding).
For the week after this cleanse start to introduce more vegetables and slowly return to your normal diet.
Please note: DO NOT do this or any other cleanse in conjunction with Shankaprakshalana (FULL intestinal wash) as you must follow strict dietary guidelines. Also seek advice from your GP, Ayurvedic consultant or Health Care professional if in doubt or suffering from any medical condition that could be aggravated by a cleanse.