Toxins are an important and undesirebale side-effect of modern life. Our human body suffers the effect of these toxins because of pollution, food preservatives, incorrect food combinations and modern lifestyle in general. Over a prolonged period, these toxins continue to accumulate in our physical system (body). The presence of these toxins in the body are very harmful.
These toxins are often called bio-toxins. The bio-toxins create various kinds of negative effects and diseases. The most common effects are unhealthy skin conditions, bad hair, failing of eye sight, irregular body cycles, obesity, sleeplessness, anxiety, restlessness, hypertention, tiredness etc… Sometimes these toxins result in impotency, sterility, rheumatism, arthritis and cancer. In the modern days such a large number of people suffer from bio-toxins that the toxic effects are considered almost as normal. People often ignore the toxic symptoms of their bodies. And this aggravates the easily curable symtoms into incurable deseases and complications.
Ayurveda has provided extremely effective methods to identify toxins from the body and to eliminate them completely:
Panchakarma
Panchakarma is the ayurvedic cleansing of the body and translates to “five actions”. It consists of the following five methods:
- Snehan – oleation therapy
In the Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage, warm sesame oil with herbs – mixed according to the individual’s constitution – is applied all over the body to take out the toxins.
- Svedan – Steam therapy
Sweating is done a few minutes after oleation. The combination of the oil application and the sweating therapy are designed to bring the aggravated doshas into the digestive tract for elimination. They soften and liquefy them to direct them from the external disease pathway, the plasma and blood, to the internal, the digestive tract.
- Virechan
Oils are taken internally as well at the same time, mostly Ghee (clarified butter) mixed with herbs according to the individual’s constitution, so that the toxins are eliminated through the digestive tract. Virechan is also known as medical purgation. According to Ayurveda, Virechana is the best line of management for skin disorders.
- Nasyam
Nasyam means ‚what relates to the nose’. These are herbs given through the nose either as snuffs, decoctions or oils, often used in the combination with steam, that purifiy the area of the nose, face, forehead and neck.
- Basti
Enemas (Basti) are a mild therapy and can be used for many conditions. There are the cleansing enemas on the basis of water with the addition of herbs according to the individuals constitution and need, and there are the building enemas on the basis of oil and herbs, which are known to be good for rejuvenation.
Shankaprakshalana
Shankaprakshalana is a yogic technique to thoroughly cleanse the bowls with slightly salty water combined with the performance of five specific asanas.
It alleviates digestive problems such as constipation, gas and acidity. It purifies the blood and alleviates skin problems. The harmony in the body is restored and the energy level is raised.