Regular detoxification is essential to cleanse the body of metabolic wastes and environmental pollutants that build-up over time. Cleansing is one of the important pillars of the Ayurvedic medicine system.

Regular cleanse through dietary changes, lifestyle practices, and by consumption of herbal formulations are essential to maintain normal homeostasis and for overall wellness.

Different Ways to Cleanse

Cleanse or detoxification is carried out via various modes in Ayurveda.

• Some of the techniques involve purgation therapies, sweating, vomiting, and enema or colon hydrotherapy.
• Cleanse can also be carried out via food and lifestyle, by fasting and by including antioxidants rich foods in your diet.
• Cleansing via herbs that can help to eliminate wastes via the body channels also forms an essential part of Ayurvedic treatment for many health conditions.
• Cleansing is also carried out via oleation and hydration of various body organs. Primary body organs for such a cleanse is skin and hair. Cleansing via oleation is highly effective in female reproductive system disorders.

In this post, we will learn about the Ayurvedic herbs that are powerful detoxifying agents, highly nutritious, and bolster our body systems. These herbs fall in the medicinal herbs category and should be consumed under the guidance of any Ayurvedic physician.

The need for Cleanse?

• Toxin build-up in the body can lead to an unbalanced state of the body and mind. It can damage our organs and trigger mental disorders.
• Toxins can deposit in the fat tissues, which is their primary home, hence leading to excessive weight gain and obesity.
• Toxins can also get deposited in various organ tissues, overload the organs such as the liver, and hamper their functions.
• Toxins block the body channels, capillaries, veins, and arteries that carry vital nutrients and fluids throughout our bodies.
• Toxins can interfere with normal functioning of our nervous system, metabolism, endocrine system, circulatory system, urinary system, and cardiovascular system.
• Toxin build-up opens the doorways to multiple diseases, create hormonal imbalances, and create unnecessary cravings.
• Toxins can destroy our gut microbiome, penetrate the gut lining, leading to more unwanted materials in our circulatory system.

Best Time – When to Detoxify?

Cleanse is especially important during seasonal changes such as spring and fall as the environmental transition can easily push the delicate balance of our healthy state off.

Apart from seasonal variations, modern lifestyle also commands regular cleansing of the body as we are constantly exposed to innumerable chemicals, pollutants, and health damaging substances through our environment or food.

Detoxification can also be done on a daily basis through the inclusion of antioxidants rich foods and by consumption of warm water to keep the body’s systems in place.

Ayurvedic scope of health is holistic, encompassing a balanced body, mind, and spirit. In Ayurveda, every person has their unique physical and mental configuration of the body and it is defined by the three Doshas – Vata Dosha, Pitta Dosha, Kapha Dosha.

Ayurvedic Herbs to Detoxify and Rejuvenate

Here is a list of herbs that would help you to effectively cleanse and build a robust body defense system to fight diseases.

Amla is recommended to cleanse excess toxins from the GI tract and help keep the colon clean. It has cardioprotective effects and reduces serum cholesterol levels as well as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This gentle detoxifying herb supports regular bowel function and is also rich in antioxidants, supporting immune function.

Neem is one of the most powerful herbs for eliminating toxins in the blood. Traditionally Neem is used for inflammation of the skin and cooling fevers. It is detoxifying, antiparasitic, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial. Neem is indicated whenever a cooling, reducing therapy is needed.

Shatavari root is an excellent rejuvenator and it has immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, enhancing resilience to physical and mental stress. It is used for general debility, hyperacidity, urinary problems, and more frequently to balance female hormones, for PMS and menopausal problems.

Pippali has a pungent taste and heating effect, which further supports the digestive fire and cleanses the body inside out. It is excellent for catarrhal congestion and increases circulation, particularly to the lungs. Pippali supports the iummune system.

Ashwagandha is a nervine tonic, an excellent adaptogen, and a powerful rejuvenator. It supports stamina, vitality and strengthens both the muscle and reproductive tissues. It is helpful for insomnia, poor memory, lethargy, and anxiety. Ashwagandha has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.