The rapid urbanisation of modern life, while improving convenience, has led to a lot of other problems. It has led to an increase in toxins, or Ama, as known in Ayurveda.
This is due to an increase in stress levels, pollution, and poor quality of food. These factors lead to the accumulation of absorbed but undigested food in our bodies. The undigested food creates imbalances that affect your emotions, health, and quality of life.
That’s why you can consider traditional cleansing methods to help remove these toxins and live a happy life. These methods have been employed for thousands of years and have helped people heal.
However, you should visit an Ayurvedic clinic for an Ayurveda consultation before this. That’s because they will be able to guide you accordingly. Let’s now take at some of the traditional cleansing methods that you can consider below.
What Are Traditional Cleansing Methods, And How Do They Eliminate Toxins?
Traditional cleansing methods refer to systems like Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). These methods have been around for thousands of years. A unique thing about these therapies is that they cleanse the physical body and balance our emotions as well.
Let’s take a look at them below.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a system of medicine that revolves around detoxification through balancing doshas or humours.
These doshas are Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. They rule different aspects of the body and the elements, as seen below:
- Kapha dosha rules stability and moisture in the body. It is considered to rule the elements of earth and water.
- Pitta dosha rules the metabolism and heat of the body. It is considered to rule the element of fire.
- Vata dosha rules the dryness and movement of the body. It is considered to rule the element of air.
An imbalance in any of these three humours is believed to cause an increase in toxins or Ama.
One of the Ayurvedic treatments you can consider is Panchkarma therapy. It involves five different treatments, which treat different parts of the body.
This treatment has cured eczema (Vicharika) and Amavata (rheumatic fever).
How Does Ayurvedic Therapy (Panchkarma) Detoxify The Body?
Panchkarma therapy involves five different treatments, namely:
- Induced vomiting or Vamana
This treatment involves making affected people consume black gram or sesame and the Randia dumetorum or Madana herb. It makes the patients vomit and removes toxins by eliminating excessive mucus and fluids, which can impact the digestion of food.
Do go for an Ayurveda consultation prior to this part of the Panchkarma therapy if you feel worried about any side effects.
- Toxin elimination or Virechana
It focuses on removing impurities from the liver and involves herbal laxative products. These products involve Triphala decoctions, and Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa).
This reduces the buildup of negative energy or Ama.
For example, Triphala has antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, which may damage the liver cells and cause an Ama buildup. It also stimulates the breakdown of fat cells in the liver, and maintains healthy levels of cholesterol.
The fat reduction prevents the buildup of toxins by increasing the nutrient absorption rate.
- Increasing nutrient absorption or Vasti
Also known as the Ayurveda enema treatment, this process involves using herbal mixtures like honey, salt, and herbal paste. It helps reduce the buildup of Ama through increased nutrient absorption, which makes you digest more food.
- Nose clearing or Nasya
This treatment involves applying herbal oils to the patient’s nostrils. These herbal oils clear the nasal passage and ensure that impurities don’t get trapped there. This prevents the build-up of unwanted toxins or Ama.
- Blood letting or Raktamookshama
Finally, this treatment makes the affected patient bleed controlled amounts of blood. This prevents inflammation by balancing the Pitta dosha. The blood-letting process flushes the toxins or Ama that accumulate in the body.
Since this treatment is quite intense, you should opt for an Ayurveda consultation prior to this.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
This treatment focuses on treating the body by balancing the Qi (life force and pronounced phonetically as chee). The Qi is said to be determined by two dominant forces, namely, Yin and Yang (feminine and masculine, respectively)
Examples of this form of medicine involve acupuncture and Gua Sha. Acupuncture involves pricking a needle into pain-afflicted nerve points in the body.
Gua Sha, on the other hand, involves using a smoothly-edged tool to make the body’s Qi start flowing through your body. This treatment involves the practitioner stroking the tool on the skin in a linear direction.
How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Remove Toxins From The Body?
Acupuncture removes toxins by focusing on stimulating the body’s natural pain response mechanisms. The practitioners insert needles strategically into points where you’ll be experiencing blockages due to toxin buildup and irregular Qi.
When the needles are inserted, the body starts regulating the flow of blood and releasing painkillers. The blood flow carries the toxins to the liver and kidneys, which are responsible for toxin elimination from the body.
Acupuncture also promotes relaxation by reducing stress. This decreases the incidence of stress-related chemicals like cortisone. Excessive cortisone leads to fat gain by making the body develop insulin resistance.
Gua Sha makes the Qi flow in a uniform direction, which releases the blockages caused due to irregular Qi. The technique induces the blood to rise to the skin’s surface and release the toxins through the air.
Gua Sha also improves lymphatic drainage, which reduces the blockages in the bloodstream. This reduction in blockages allows the toxins to flow to the kidney and liver, which are responsible for toxin elimination.
How Do You Know That Traditional Cleansing Methods Are Working?
Some of the signs that will help you understand that traditional cleansing is working are:
- More energy and alertness
- Clearer skin and eyes
- Regular digestion and elimination
- Improved mood and sleep
- Fewer cravings or inflammation
Summary Recap
Traditional cleansing offers a natural and holistic way to support your body’s detoxification. It can help you become more energetic, feel better, and live a better quality of life. So, for guidance, seek Ayurvedic consultation at a reliable clinic.
Ready To Live A Toxin-Free Life?
Curious which traditional method suits your body type or lifestyle? Consult a certified Ayurvedic clinic to start your detox journey the right way.