After the holidays, many people think about cleansing from the decadent feasting that just took place. The New Year is a great time to establish new health practices and goals. According to Ayurveda, India’s 5000+ year old medical tradition, the focus of an Ayurvedic cleanse is to burn ama (toxins) and build agni (digestive fire). We can do this through various daily practices or by following an outlined cleansing program. I’ll share with you a few simple ways to begin cleansing accumulated toxins, rebuilding your digestive fire and boosting your energy. These tips can be practiced by all Ayurvedic body types or constitutions. For specific suggestions, please seek advice from a skilled Ayurvedic Practitioner.
Post Holidays ~ Is Cleansing Right for Me ~ Simply Daily Tips for Cleansing
For starters, you may just choose one of these tips daily. You can integrate more over time, as it feels comfortable.
- Wake up in the morning and drink an 8 oz glass of warm water with juice from ½ lemon. For extra toxin and fat scraping effects, add 2 tsp honey.
- For Vata and Pitta constitutions, give your self a loving warm oil massage (abhyanga) with a dosha specific massage oil. Be sure to include belly massage, massaging in a clockwise direction. Follow-up with a warm/hot shower or bath.
- For Kapha constitutions, you can enjoy dry brushing with brushes or exfoliating gloves. You may follow with self-abhyanga using Kapha balancing massage oil and a warm shower.
- 30-minute daily walk, emphasizing nostril breathing. This will get your lymphatic system moving and boost metabolism.
- Sip on hot water throughout the day. This kindles agni and burns ama.
- Use a stainless steel tongue scraper or even a spoon to gently scrape coating off tongue. Stimulates internal organs to release ama and improves digestion.
- Avoid unnecessary snacking between meals. Favor balancing and satisfying main meals. This gives your metabolic system a chance to regulate and burn fat.
- Add digestive spices to your meals. Examples are: ginger, cumin, coriander and fennel seeds.
- Regularly eat a delicious and cleansing meal of Kitchari: mung beans, rice and spices. (Recipe available on my website).
- To cleanse and strengthen your gastrointestinal tract, before bed, take ½ tsp Triphala powder with a 1 cup warm water. For Vata constitutions, take Triphala with 1 cup licorice tea.
- Keep your personal space tidy: home, office, car, etc. Your external environment has an impact on your internal environment, right?!
- Let go of emotions and thoughts that are no longer serving you. Focus on gratitude and positive affirmations. Journaling is a great way to do this.
Comprehensive Ayurvedic Cleanse
Ayurveda’s signature cleansing program is called Panchakarma. It is a time-tested, systematic cleanse that aims to release many kinds of toxins from the deep tissues, through a series of cleansing protocols, specific to each individual.
I offer Panchakarma for 5+ days at Embrace Ayurveda in Seattle. Panchakarma is offered in many locations, around the world.
** To read more about Panchakarma, go to: https://embrace-ayurveda.com/panchakarma/
** To order dosha specific massage oils, triphala, kitchari supplies, tongue scraper, spices and other wonderful Ayurvedic products, go to: Banyan Botanicals