When Cleansing Becomes Necessary
If you have not:
-
Developed awareness,
-
Modified causes of imbalance, or
-
Applied opposites to restore balance,
and disease has begun to manifest — it’s time for cleansing and purification.
At this stage, the principle of opposites alone is not enough.
The body must be cleansed of excess doshas and accumulated toxins (ama).
Ama – The Root Cause of Disease
Ama = toxic, sticky, undigested residue formed from improper digestion.
Causes:
-
Weak or disturbed Agni (digestive fire)
-
Poor diet or irregular eating
-
Suppressed emotions and stress
-
Sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of Ama:
-
Fatigue, heaviness
-
Constipation, indigestion, gas, or diarrhea
-
Bad breath or coated tongue
-
Aches, stiffness, or dull pain
-
Brain fog or confusion
“Disease is a crisis of ama — the body’s attempt to eliminate toxins.”
🌀 The Ayurvedic Cleansing System – Panchakarma
Panchakarma literally means “five actions.”
It is Ayurveda’s main method for deep internal purification.
Performed in two stages:
-
Preparatory procedures (Purva Karma) – to loosen toxins
-
Main purification procedures (Pradhana Karma) – to expel them
1️⃣ Preparatory Stage (Purva Karma)
a. Internal Oleation (Snehana – Internal)
-
Involves drinking small, prescribed quantities of ghee (clarified butter) for 3–5 days.
-
Lubricates internal channels → loosens ama → carries it toward the GI tract.
If ghee is contraindicated (high cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood sugar):
Use flaxseed oil instead – 2 tbsp, 3×/day, 15 min before meals for 3 days.
b. External Oleation (Snehana – External)
-
Full-body oil massage with herbal oils.
-
Softens tissues, calms nerves, and mobilizes toxins.
c. Sudation (Swedana)
-
Steam therapy or sweating after massage.
-
Opens pores and channels; drives toxins toward the GI tract.
2️⃣ Main Panchakarma Therapies (Pradhana Karma)
| Procedure | Name (Sanskrit) | Purpose | Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Therapeutic vomiting | Vamana | Removes excess Kapha and mucus | Lungs, stomach |
| 2. Purgation therapy | Virechana | Eliminates excess Pitta | Liver, small intestine |
| 3. Medicated enema | Basti | Removes aggravated Vata | Colon |
| 4. Nasal therapy | Nasya | Clears toxins from head and sinuses | Nose, throat |
| 5. Blood purification | Rakta Moksha | Detoxifies blood and skin | Circulatory system |
Notes:
-
Vamana → for Kapha-type disorders (asthma, bronchitis).
-
Virechana → for Pitta-type (skin rashes, liver disorders).
-
Basti → for Vata-type (arthritis, constipation, anxiety).
-
Nasya → for sinusitis, headaches, mental fog.
-
Rakta Moksha → for skin diseases, infections, inflammation.
⚖️ Alternate Cleansing – Shamana (Palliation)
If the patient is weak or debilitated,
and disease is strong → Shamana therapy (gentle purification) is preferred.
-
Uses mild detoxifying herbs, light diet, rest, and lifestyle correction.
-
Neutralizes ama without intense cleansing.
⚠️ Important Safety Note
-
Panchakarma must only be done under supervision of a trained Ayurvedic physician.
-
It is individualized — tailored to each person’s constitution (prakriti) and condition (vikriti).
-
Requires professional monitoring before, during, and after treatment.
🪷 Summary: The Cleansing Path
| Stage | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness | Notice imbalance | Early prevention |
| Opposites | Restore harmony | Minor correction |
| Cleansing | Remove toxins | Deep purification |
“To cleanse is to create space — for balance, clarity, and renewed vitality.”
No comments:
Post a Comment