Basically, detoxification means cleansing the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. However, when these systems are compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and the body is adversely affected. A detox program can help the body’s natural cleansing process by:
Bennett suggests that everyone should detox at least once a year. However, Bennett cautions against detoxing for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.
First, lighten up your toxin load. Eliminate alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars, and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, and toothpastes), and substitute natural alternatives. Another hindrance to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the “adrenaline rush” to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, Meditation and Shatkarma are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.
Yoga Retreats: Yoga means many things to different people. It represents the ongoing journey of discovery of the Self. The benefits of a daily practice, the harmony and balance of a yogic lifestyle is discovered very soon after the beginning into yoga journey. Not everybody can also afford the time to practice yoga daily, and attending classes a few times per week seems more realistic and achievable. For these reasons, Yoga retreat could mean more to you than you think at this moment. Adopting a yoga practice can change your life in just a few days. The purpose of a retreat is to allow yogis to deepen their practice without the distractions of life. Yoga retreats are temporary breaks from daily routine that typically last from weekend to a week or more.
A nasal cleansing process intended to purify the nasal passages and bathe the sinuses. It can be performed in two ways: either using a neti pot to cleanse the passages with saline solution or using a thread passed through the nostrils and out the mouth. These are called Jala neti and Sutra neti, respectively.
It relieves constipation, distension, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints. Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with basti.
It is a cleansing process for the alimentary canal, including the oesophagus, the mouth, the stomach, intestines and rectum. The yogic practice of Vaman/ Dhauti helps to clean the stomach of the unwanted food particles left over after digestion. It is practiced on an empty stomach in the early morning. It is a process where the practitioner drinks a large amount of saline water and vomits out the entire water, thus flushing the stomach clean.
Basti’s literal translation is “bladder”, however, the Basti therapy is often talking about the application of the herbal enema. As a direct pathway into the colon, the herbal enema is very powerful for treating a number of issues and ailments, as well as cleansing toxins (ama) from the intestines. Since the colon is the home of Vata dosha, more often than not, Basti is used to treat Vata disorders including constipation, dryness, depletion, insomnia, nervous system disorders, arthritis and osteoporosis.
It is a cleansing process described in yoga. The practice involves isolating and contracting the rectus abdominis muscles so that you create a rolling motion. Nauli is thought to clean internal organs, tone the abdomen, improve the digestive fire, and help with constipation and indigestion. It needs to be taught by an experienced practitioner.
It is also called the blink-less stare, is a technique for cleansing the eyes and improving mental focus. One method involves gazing at the flame of a candle. This is thought to increase blood circulation to the eyes and help strengthen them.
It is a breathing technique which means “shining skull.” In this practice, the breath is forcefully exhaled through the nostrils by strongly drawing in the abdominal muscles after which the inhalation happens naturally. This is repeated 30-60 times in quick, rhythmic succession.
The word Shankhaprakshalana comes from two words, Shankha meaning “conch” and prakshalana meaning to wash completely. The word shankha is used to represent the entire alimentary canal from mouth to anus.
This is a rejuvenation practice, also known as Kayakalp which is an ayurvedic technique for physical purification and transformation. Shankhaprakshalana also known as colon cleansing is the process to clean the intestinal tract by removing the impurities with salty water. It is recommended to alleviate digestive problems such as indigestion, gases, acidity, constipation and bad breath. – Beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, allergies, skin diseases, asthma, pimples, sinusitis. – The immune system is strengthened and helps tone the liver.
Mud is an important element of nature. It contains important minerals which have positive effects on human health. Mud can absorb toxins from the human body; therefore, it is very useful in preventing many diseases. It is also known for its healing properties. It also helps in cooling and relaxing body as it can hold moisture for a long time.
Mud soaked in water is spread to make a half inch thick layer. It is placed on the eyes for 20 to 30 minutes. An eye mud pack helps in relaxing the eyes; especially good for those who require sitting in front of a computer for long hours. Therapeutically, it reduces irritation, itching or other allergic conditions such as conjunctivitis and hemorrhage of the eyeball. It also helps in correcting refractive errors like short/long sightedness. It is effective in Glaucoma, where it works to reduce the eyeball tension.
A head mud pack is normally a thick narrow band. It is applied over the forehead and helps to heal congestive headaches by relieving pain immediately.
Fine mud is used for face and a smooth paste is first made using cold water. Apply this paste evenly on the face and leave if to dry for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes one must thoroughly wash the face with cold water. It helps in improving the complexion of the skin. In cases of acne, it helps by absorbing excess oils and toxins from the skin. It also helps in reducing dark circles around the eyes.
The thick layer of wet mud is applied over the abdominal area. This mud pack should be applied for 20-30 minutes. An abdomen mud pack helps in all kinds of indigestion. It is very helpful in decreasing intestinal heat and stimulates peristalsis and heals constipation.
First the mud is prepared by soaking it in water. The mud is then applied to the full body either in sitting or lying down position. Mud is kept for 45 to 60 minutes in sunlight. Afterward the person should be thoroughly washed with cold to lukewarm water. A mud bath helps in increasing the blood circulation and energizing the skin tissues. It thus helps in cleansing and improving the skin condition generally. Regular mud baths may be considered as natural beauty treatment procedure as it also helps in improving skin complexion and reducing spots and patches. Mud baths are useful in many skin diseases such as Psoriasis, Urticaria, leukoderma, Leprosy and other skin allergic conditions.
Since many centuries, steam baths/Swedan has always been considered as an amazing way to relax the mind and the body of a person. When herbs used in the steam baths, a person gets better results. Steam opens the pores of the body and the botanicals are absorbed properly into the body. Besides this, steam facilitates the breathing of a person. An Herbal steam bath can act as a natural detox, which can cause the body to sweat and expel out all the toxins from the body, which is very beneficial for the liver. Herbs present in the steam cleanse the skin and encourages the release of excess uric acid from the body. Therefore, an herbal steam bath is also very beneficial for people suffering from hyperuricemia (condition of high uric acid levels in the blood) or gouty arthritis. Adding aroma essential oils makes the experience even more soothing and heavenly, and when it is inhaled with steam, it releases the anxiety and makes the person feel relaxed and contented.
This is Antyodaya’s special natural detox therapy which is a 90 min process to be done only under morning sunlight. This process involves an application of cow’s urine & fresh aloe Vera gel on full body to open the pores of the skin. A ginger honey drink is given to the patient to drink to activate the sweat glands. After the application dries, the patient remains in the sunlight for 30 mins inside polythene. Post this process, a thick layer of mud is applied on the entire body of the patient. As it dries, the patient takes bath with cold water. This is the perfect process for rejuvenation. It helps in weight loss, makes skin soft & supple and releases toxins out of the body.
Body Detox
Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world — including Ayurvedic medicine systems — detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health through a range of methods including yoga, meditation, shatkarma, diet and more.