Ayurvedic Colon Cleansing

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic health system that uses yoga, breathing exercises, diet, herbal remedies, cleanses and meditation to help people achieve balance and well-being. Not a first-line treatment for serious illness, Ayurveda is believed to boost overall health, reduce stress and prevent future problems.
The goal of Ayurvedic treatments is to create harmony of body, mind and spirit. The process often begins with clearing away built-up toxins and waste.

Eliminating Toxins

One of the most popular Ayurvedic cleanses is called "Panchakarma" ("five treatments" in Sanskrit) and is suggested as a seasonal tune-up; indeed, many followers undergo this ritual four times a year. Panchakarma involves massages, oil baths, specific foods, herbs, and enemas to rid the body of "ama," the Sanskrit term for that noxious conglomerate of undigested food that clings to the tissues and intestines. Ayurveda teaches that if left in the body, these substances create imbalances in the body and can lead to serious health problems.

Panchakarma methods release toxins not only through the rectum, but also through the respiratory system, urinary tract and even sweat glands.

Undergoing a Cleanse

A few nights before a cleansing, patients enjoy massages with warm oils infused with healing herbs. Heat is then applied to the neck and chest. The combination shifts toxins from the arms and legs into the intestinal tract. From there, they can be easily released. On the morning of cleansing, patients eat Basmatic rice and yogurt with salt or other foods that aggravate the intestines, easing elimination.

Other Methods

Other cleansing methods in Ayurveda include enemas, therapeutic vomiting, herbal laxative therapy and herbal inhalation.

More than 100 enema concoctions exist. In one, known as "Basti," oils or liquid herbal mixtures are gently pumped into the rectum, alleviating ills including sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, kidney stones, constipation, sexual disorders and even the common cold.

Therapeutic vomiting relieves coughs, colds, fevers, appetite loss, wheezing, sinus congestion, breathlessness, nausea, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction and chronic indigestion. A brew containing calamus root tea, cardamom, salt, honey, and licorice is rubbed on the patient's tongue, prompting vomiting and clearing mucous and congestion from the lungs and chest. The process is repeated between four to eight times, depending on a patient's needs.

Laxative therapy, which clears the bowels and removes toxins from the blood, is for the treatment of skin conditions, constipation, gout, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal problems, jaundice and possibly abdominal tumors. The most common herbs found in Ayurvedic laxatives are senna, prune, bran, flaxseed husk, dandelion root, psyllium seed, cow's milk, salt, Castor oil, raisins and mango juice. Patients are also given specific diets to follow during the course of treatment.

In herbal inhalation therapy, patients inhale the vapor of boiling water that has been infused with medicinal herbs. Most effective in combating disorders of the ears, eyes, nose and throat, herbal inhalation is used to treat migraines, sinus congestion, bronchitis, hoarseness and other eye and ear problems.

Cautions

Tests have revealed the presence of toxins in some Ayurvedic preparations. Check with your physician before undergoing any type of colon cleanse. Be sure to work only with recommended practitioners.
Despite some dangers, when used properly Ayurvedic colon cleansing may re-energize and balance the body, opening the way for harmony of mind, body and spirit.