If you feel lethargic, are prone to pesky infections, have bad breath, experience lack of concentration or even have chronic indigestion, chances are you have a build-up of toxins in your body that must be cleansed. The ayurvedic practice of Pancha Karma or panchakarma, is the best healing experience for your body as it works to not only detoxify your body but also bolster your immune system and promote a sense of energy and well-being.
Principles Behind Pancha Karma
According to ayurveda, one of the basics of good health is the ability to metabolize whatever you put into your body. When food cannot be completely digested, this leads to a build-up of toxins in the body tissues that can affect not only physical aspects of your health but also mental and emotional aspects as well. Utilizing pancha karma can help cleanse the body so that those toxins stored will release and restore balance and healing power.
These toxins can build up over time, affecting the flow of energy as well as communication between different body parts. Sometimes, certain parts of the body do not receive the full nourishment they need for optimal performance, thus the reasoning behind a whole host of various ailments. After cleansing though, your body is restored to rights.
Step One of Pancha Karma
The first step of performing pancha karma is preparing your body for final toxin release. Two to three weeks before the actual cleansing, you must change your diet. Eliminating processed foods, dairy products, sweets, and caffeine is important. About a week before the cleansing process, you must further cut your diet to include only whole grains and vegetables. The grains and vegetables create an environment in your body more conducive to detoxification.
During this first step, your attention should shift inward, releasing stressful pressures in your life, meditating, doing deep breathing exercises and even getting ayurvedic massages with herb-infused oils if possible. Hot steamy showers, sauna sessions and other heat-centered activities also help prepare the body for cleansing.
Step Two of Pancha Karma
The changes in diet as well as other preparations in step one have mobilized the toxins in your body. The second step in pancha karma is releasing these toxins from the body in several different ways such as enemas, nasal flushing and laxatives. Visiting a licensed ayurvedic professional, you should be able to obtain special herbal preparations and essential oils for ingestion that serves as a laxative and help flush away toxins in the intestinal tract.
Herbs and other essential oils are used for enemas which help dislodge stubborn toxins found in deeper tissues that laxative preparations cannot touch. Pure herbal oils are used to help flush out toxic build-up in the nasal passages and respiratory tract. You will discover after the nasal treatment that you breathe more easily and freely. The result is a higher energy level because you are taking in more oxygen.
Step Three of Pancha Karma
The final step of pancha karma is often called the rejuvenation phase because once the toxins are eliminated from your body, you will feel lighter, more energized and at one with yourself. After toxin elimination, this third step of the cleansing process involves re-introducing foods and herbs to your diet that are all-natural and organic. In addition, yoga, meditation and ayurvedic massage with herbal oils help you maintain that feeling of “oneness” with your body.
For optimal health, many ayurvedic professionals suggest that you try pancha karma at least two or three times a year. It is all too easy to get caught up in daily life eating the wrong foods and shouldering stress. The effects of pancha karma last for many weeks, often several months. Therefore, if you time your cleansing sessions correctly, you can experience a feeling of well-being for most, if not all year.
Principles Behind Pancha Karma
According to ayurveda, one of the basics of good health is the ability to metabolize whatever you put into your body. When food cannot be completely digested, this leads to a build-up of toxins in the body tissues that can affect not only physical aspects of your health but also mental and emotional aspects as well. Utilizing pancha karma can help cleanse the body so that those toxins stored will release and restore balance and healing power.
These toxins can build up over time, affecting the flow of energy as well as communication between different body parts. Sometimes, certain parts of the body do not receive the full nourishment they need for optimal performance, thus the reasoning behind a whole host of various ailments. After cleansing though, your body is restored to rights.
Step One of Pancha Karma
The first step of performing pancha karma is preparing your body for final toxin release. Two to three weeks before the actual cleansing, you must change your diet. Eliminating processed foods, dairy products, sweets, and caffeine is important. About a week before the cleansing process, you must further cut your diet to include only whole grains and vegetables. The grains and vegetables create an environment in your body more conducive to detoxification.
During this first step, your attention should shift inward, releasing stressful pressures in your life, meditating, doing deep breathing exercises and even getting ayurvedic massages with herb-infused oils if possible. Hot steamy showers, sauna sessions and other heat-centered activities also help prepare the body for cleansing.
Step Two of Pancha Karma
The changes in diet as well as other preparations in step one have mobilized the toxins in your body. The second step in pancha karma is releasing these toxins from the body in several different ways such as enemas, nasal flushing and laxatives. Visiting a licensed ayurvedic professional, you should be able to obtain special herbal preparations and essential oils for ingestion that serves as a laxative and help flush away toxins in the intestinal tract.
Herbs and other essential oils are used for enemas which help dislodge stubborn toxins found in deeper tissues that laxative preparations cannot touch. Pure herbal oils are used to help flush out toxic build-up in the nasal passages and respiratory tract. You will discover after the nasal treatment that you breathe more easily and freely. The result is a higher energy level because you are taking in more oxygen.
Step Three of Pancha Karma
The final step of pancha karma is often called the rejuvenation phase because once the toxins are eliminated from your body, you will feel lighter, more energized and at one with yourself. After toxin elimination, this third step of the cleansing process involves re-introducing foods and herbs to your diet that are all-natural and organic. In addition, yoga, meditation and ayurvedic massage with herbal oils help you maintain that feeling of “oneness” with your body.
For optimal health, many ayurvedic professionals suggest that you try pancha karma at least two or three times a year. It is all too easy to get caught up in daily life eating the wrong foods and shouldering stress. The effects of pancha karma last for many weeks, often several months. Therefore, if you time your cleansing sessions correctly, you can experience a feeling of well-being for most, if not all year.