Cantaloupe and other melons, coconut, fresh figs, grapes, mangoes, papayas, peaches, persimmons, sweet plums, fresh dates. In the spring try soaking dried coconut, figs, raisins, prune, dates and add to soaked nuts or breakfast grains if you’d like.
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 dry wash cloth rather than a brush or loofah to exfoliate your skin. Implement Abyangha—self massage with oils. Use abundant
Warming oil (click here for Abyangha instruction if needed)
Step into mildly warm bath or gentle shower. Pat dry with soft towels, apply more oil if necessary
Cleanse the mouth and teeth with mild paste, rub the gums with sesame oil
Dress in colors that mitigate Vata and promote meditation: yellow, orange, and red
Avoid cold wind and dampness, but if exposed cover the neck, chest, and head
If it is difficult for you to breakfast early, at least start with nourishing teas that are non-caffeinated and enhanced with milk or a milk substitute and a natural sweetener: ginger, cardamom, coriander, clove, fennel, cinnamon—like a chai blend
If tending towards constipation, start with Triphala to get regulated. Try 1 capsule with each meal. If that does not get things moving, take 2 capsules at a time before bed with warm rice milk. Also try extra ghee in the diet, fresh figs or dried figs soaked overnight, and ground flax seed. Drink plenty of fluids—water or herbal tea. Do not start the liver cleansers until your bowels are 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 one capsule at night with fennel or ginger tea. Then add one capsule in the morning with the same tea. If feeling well, increase to 2 at night, then 2 in the morning as well. This should be sufficient for most. If you are a sensitive person, keep the dose lower, or keep 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 a fennel or ginger tea, or combo, add rice or almond milk, a bit of sweetener. These carry it into the tissues. This herb is a protector and rebuilder of liver tissue. You can work up to taking 1-2 capsules with each of 3 meals per day. Do this for 2 weeks, or continue for a month if you’d like.
Do not fast if strongly Vata dominant or underweight. Kichadi or Kichari is your best cleansing food while remaining nourished—Blend of Basmati or Brown Rice, Mung Bean, and spices. For recipe click here.