By Dr. Pradeep Neupane (B.A.M.S.)
Clinical Director
Toxins are the special chemical particles that our body does not need. They are formed by many reasons such as wrong diet/lifestyle, consuming toxic substances for example alcohol, smoking, caffeine, drugs and any chemical products. These days, the toxins are everywhere, in food as preservative, in water as water purifying agents and chloride/fluoride, in air as small chemical particles and in most of the personal care products, etc. The toxins are also formed after normal metabolism process. Our body has special ability to remove these toxins naturally if the body channels are healthy and fine. That means, if there is any obstruction or disturbance on lymphatic drainage, blood circulation, elimination, urination, sweating, etc, these toxins cannot be removed from the tissues properly. If these toxins are sitting in the tissues for a long period of time, they may cause inflammation in the tissues causing pain on joints and muscles, uneasy, heavy and drained feeling which may lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. Hence, it’s very important to release the toxins properly from the body on regular basis. Ayurveda recommends doing this at least every change of season.
How Ayurvedic detox is different to other detox?
Ayurvedic detox is a special cellular cleansing process to remove the toxins out of the tissues completely. Before the detox program, your body and mind is prepared to release the toxins by taking some herbs and herbalised ghee. The herbs will be helpful to improve the digestive fire (Agni– strength of acid and enzymes in the stomach and intestine) which is vitally important as without proper digestion, food and any medicines cannot release its nutrients and potency. The speciality of Ayurvedic detox is that most of the fat soluble toxins are removed by taking the medicated ghee as this kind of toxins are more dangerous than water soluble toxins. After taking the medicated ghee in increasing order, for about 3-7 days, most of the toxins are released from the tissues into the ghee and then will be drown to the gut by the help of deep tissue therapeutic Ayurvedic massage and herbalised steam. After a few of these therapies, the main Detox treatments such as Virechana- Herbal purgation, removing toxins from small bowel and Vasti- flushing toxins from lower bowel with herbal enemas.
What is Panchakarma?
Panchakarma is a cellular cleansing process. It is the ultimate mind-body healing experience for detoxifying the body, strengthening the immune system, and restoring balance and well-being. It is an elegant cleansing process that releases built-up toxins and restores the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It is recommended on a seasonal basis, as well as when an individual feels out of balance or is experiencing illness or indeed any form of physical or mental distress.
Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word meaning “the five actions”. Firstly, the body is prepared for cleansing by drawing toxins out of the tissues and bringing them to the alimentary canal. Once concentrated in the alimentary canal, these waste by-products will then be removed via different channels using a five-fold methodology, the legendary ‘five actions’ of Panchakarma. Below is a brief summary of the process involved-
Step One: Preparatory Process:
Panchakarma begins with oleation, that is, ingestion of pure oil or ghee. This is followed by Ayurvedic massage. During massage, pure Ayurvedic herbal oils are applied to the body in order to loosen and move accumulated toxins, known as ‘ama’ in Sanskrit. This is followed by a herbally medicated steam bath. Following massage, the patient is placed in a specially designed steam ‘box’. Sudation or the action or process of ‘sweating’, is known as ‘swedana’, in Sanskrit. Indeed, if you take a closer look at the word ‘swedana’, you will see that it bears a close resemblance to its English counterpart ‘sweat’. Not only does ‘swedana’ relax the body, release tensions and allow impurities to be released through the sweat glands, but it naturally assists in opening the body’s circulation channels, (known as ‘srotas’ in Sanskrit) thereby facilitating the outflow of toxins from the tissues and into the GI tract for elimination and evacuation.
Step Two: Elimination and Release:
Once the body’s toxins have been mobilized, gentle therapies are used to release them from the body. These are the main five actions:
1)Vamana –removing toxins from upper alimentary canal.
2) Virechana– Herbal purgation, removing toxins from small bowel.
3) Basti– flushing toxins from lower bowel with herbal enemas.
4) Nasya– Sinus and upper respiratory tract cleansing.
5) Raktamokchhana– removing toxins from the blood tissues.
Step Three: Rejuvenation:
The final step of panchakarma is rasayana, a term that means “that which is nourishing.” Once the toxins have been released, this is a critical time to begin replenishing the body with natural foods and herbs, revitalizing massage treatments, and healing practices such as meditation and yoga.
Treatments are determined and selected for you personally by the Ayurveda Wellness Center team of experienced Ayurvedic doctors. The most effective and important Panchakarma i.e. Virechana and Basti as detox program are also provided.
Dr. Pradeep Neupane (B.A.M.S.) is a Clinical Director
At Vibrant Ayurveda Wellness Center
He can be contacted at:
Ph: 7-38462272, 0452506389
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