According to Ayurvedic doctors, internal cleansing is an essential step in getting toxins out of the body. Liver and intestinal cleansing periodically is essential. Please do not do a cleanse if you have a weak liver or colon. It is best to consult your physician if you have any health conditions before starting a cleanse.
By Amber Vitse, Ayurvedic Practitioner
(Editor’s Note: If you do not know your constitution, also known as your Dosha, take the test by clicking here).
Wake before 7am, sleep before 10pm. If awake between 3 and 6, this is the best time to meditate
Use a body brush or loofah to exfoliate your skin
Implement Abyangha—self massage with oils. Use a moderate amount of Cooling oil (click here on Abyangha instruction if needed)
Step into lukewarm bath or gentle shower. Pat dry with soft towels, apply more oil if weather is especially dry cleanse the mouth and teeth with mild paste, mint helps
Engage in team sports to promote cooperation, or hiking to enjoy nature. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, sunbathing, and hot tubs.
Dress in colors that mitigate Pitta and promote meditation: blues and greens
If it is difficult for you to breakfast early, try starting with a liver flush: juice of one lemon or lime, 1 tbs. Olive Oil, ½ apple or pear, blend and drink.
A balanced Kapha should have one very large bowel movement at about the same time every day. If you are skipping days, or not having adequate bowel movements, Triphala can be used at night before bed: 2 capsules at once with warmed goat’s milk or spicy tea like a Yogi herbal chai or ginger. Drink plenty of fluids—water or herbal tea. Do not start the liver cleansers if your bowels are not moving regularly. Remain on the Triphala throughout the cleanse if you continue to have difficulties with sluggish bowels, hard faeces or difficult movements, or skipping days.
Start with 2 capsules in the morning with the liver flush or with tea. If feeling well, increase to 2 at night as well. If you are a sturdy person, not much bothers you, add 2 more between 2-4pm. If you are a sensitive person, keep the dose lower. If you have to limit it to once a day, taking it at night allows it to facilitate liver cleansing while you are sleeping—when the liver does most of its work and the body is fasting. After 2 weeks, move on to the Picrorrhiza.
Start in the same way, but take it as a food. Use the same tea, add a bit of raw honey, and a splash of goat’s milk if you want. These carry it into the tissues. This herb is a protector and rebuilder of liver tissue. You can work up to taking 2-3 capsules with each of 3 meals per day. Do this for 2 weeks, or continue for a month if you’d like.
You can tolerate the most food reduction. Kichadi or Kichari is your best cleansing food while remaining nourished—Blend of white Basmati Rice for Pitta, Mung Bean, and spices—recipe is here. Use a small amount several times a day, heaped with steamed vegetables and the stronger spices.
