Fall Is a Great Time for an Ayurvedic Detox

Each one of us has a unique mix of the three doshas, although we tend to be dominated by one at any given time. Ane the seasons are also governed by its own doshic activity.  The ayurvedic theory says, that by the time autumn comes around, we have accumulated plenty of heat in our tissues from the summer heat—fiery pitta dosha. When the leaves dry up and the weather starts to change, Vata dosha begins to take over and the one governed by air and marked by change, instability, and anxiety when not balanced. If we would speak metaphorically, what happens when you add random blasts of air to a fire? It burns even brighter right?. So Ayurveda system says that when the accumulated heat of pitta is fanned by vata, it can lead to mental and physical burnout and we definitely don’t want that, it stresses our adrenals and nervous system and putting some of the body’s natural detoxification processes on hold.

Let’s talk about the liver, for example. It is the body’s natural detoxifier and one of the primary organs in which excess pitta can accumulate and cause serious problems. The liver processes not only the foods and drinks we ingest but also many of the harsh chemicals we encounter on a daily basis—flike prescription and over-the-counter medications, over-processed foods to cosmetics loaded with petroleum ingredients and synthetic perfumes to polluted matter in the air. And then the liver gets overloaded with excess pitta (these put tremendous stress on the liver), and that has a large effect on our overall wellness.  The overtaxed liver can result in migraines, irritability, rashes, anger, and skin issues and so much more. “It will make us tired, we get sick easily, we will gain or lose too a lot of weight. These two systems in the body are designed to “transform” toxins when the liver and the digestive tract become overwhelmed, we collect a kind of toxic sludge made up of all the waste products that the body has not been able to properly break down, digest or otherwise expel, creating much toxicity.

In Ayurveda, the toxins our body cannot process have a name: Ama, the meaning in Sanskrit is “that which harms or weakens” no so good. Ama is not only a kind of physical sludge but also as a psychosomatic sludge that pollutes the mind. Accumulated ama is the basis for many diseases and emotional disturbances—and from a physical standpoint, it creates an appealing host environment all the illnesses that blow in on autumn’s winds.

Do You Really Need to Detox

We don’t think that we have to worry about ama, well not so fast. We all do,  as a result of poor diet choices, unhealthy lifestyle habits, the stress in general, lack of hydration—even just living and breathing in a polluted world with pesticide additives to most products. No matter who you are, you’ll end up with ama, and is a reality for us humans and even animals. Now the question we have to ask ourselves is, ‘What can we do about it?'”

Ayurvedic Detox

To protect your health year-round, but particularly during the fall, Ayurvedic health educators say it’s important to slow down, support your liver’s natural ability to remove toxins from the body, and take stock of the influences that you allow into your life—from the kind of food you eat to the amount of time you spend in front of an electronic device (computer, cell phone, TV).

Unlike some popular cleanses that ask you to undergo dramatic fasts or to take other extreme measures, Purva karma (which literally means “up-front actions”) is designed to support, instead of shock, your system. “Rather than aiming to eliminate toxins at any cost, Purva karma gently balances the whole person so that they can detox without destabilizing the body in any way,” Blossom explains. “It is a middle-path cleanse that uses nourishing foods, herbs, and self-care techniques to rejuvenate the body rather than simply strip it down, which can leave you even more vulnerable going into winter.”

Blossom says that a middle-path method of cleansing includes a simplified diet, yoga asana, self-massage, nasal irrigation, herbs, meditation, pranayama, and reflection. During the cleanse, you’ll forgo substances and habits that contribute to liver overload—such as processed foods or alcohol—and the unaddressed stress that strains your nervous system. You’ll also spend time thinking about what influences you want to keep in your life and what you might want to let go of. The main key to Purva karma is a suspension of bad habits. Then and only then can we have space to establish the good habits we need to create the kind of health and vibrancy that we all want in our  life.”

 Start Slowing Down

Taking action and start reducing stress and mental overactivity is perhaps the most important element of a successful step in any detox plan. Constant rushing, over multitasking, and information overloads are the trifecta of North American toxicity. And like an overtaxed liver, an overtaxed mind and nervous system can lead to a host of health issues, including adrenal fatigue, insomnia, irregular menstrual cycles, indigestion, and unwelcome weight gain.

The first step in reducing the toxicity created by an overloaded life? Slowing down. During the next seven days, adjust your schedule so you have time to prepare and eat your meals in a relaxed manner, practice daily yoga, and take regular meditation breaks. By saying “no” to the outside influences that pull your attention and energy in so many directions—and replacing them with healthier choices—you’ll begin to tune in to your body’s natural rhythms and detox more effectively.

The Detox Diet

Next, you need to nourish your body with healthful, cleansing foods. At the heart of the dietary program is kitchari, a simple dish of rice and mung beans widely used throughout Asia to purify the body. Its balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat makes for an easy-to-digest yet highly nourishing meal. Kitchari is also tridoshic, which means that it’s appropriate for all three doshas. “The lightness of the dish reduces Kapha in the body,” Blossom says. “At the same time, it stabilizes vata by offering a complete source of protein. And the astringent nature of the beans cools pitta, so kitchari is naturally anti-inflammatory.” Best of all, eating kitchari twice daily keeps hunger and cravings at bay, he says.

Ayurvedic cleansing also calls for ghee (clarified butter), which lubricates the digestive tract and facilitates the elimination of toxins from the body. Spicy teas and chutneys are recommended to keep the fires of digestion stoked throughout the cleanse; and Triphala, a traditional Ayurvedic digestive tonic (made up of three fruits—amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki) with antioxidant properties, acts as a mild laxative. “Triphala is a classic example of an Ayurvedic remedy that supports the system and preserves what is good while it gets rid of toxins that will sicken the body,” Blossom explains. “Taken together, all parts of this plan make sure you’re getting everything you need to stay healthy and you won’t be malnourished in any way.”

 Cleansing Yoga

Specific yoga poses can help expedite the detoxification process. The heating and twisting sequences designed for this plan can help move toxins from your tissues through your lymphatic and digestive systems so that they can be eliminated from the body. In addition, restorative poses, relax the nervous system and mind and help settle the body—which is especially important during and after a detox cleanse. Restorative poses will also help bring you into a state of receptivity that’s perfect for the season, says New Jersey yoga teacher and restorative teacher trainer Jillian Pransky. “I look at autumn as a transition into a new year,” she says. “I look at nature: The harvest is over, and it’s time to clear out. It’s an opportunity to till the soil and plant the seeds for next year’s harvest. Once we do this for ourselves, we can recommit to what is working for us and set ourselves up to get more of what nourishes us in our lives.”

 Self-contemplation

As you embark on the program, contemplate the ultimate reason: “Why am I doing this?” By interrupting your normal patterns, cleansing provides a unique opportunity to practice svadhyaya, self-study. No matter what your motivation is—better health, a simpler life, a deeper yoga practice—you’ll be amazed at the insights you can gain when you just slow down and start to listen.”The body should be telling us all the time what to do and what not to do—it knows what’s good for it and what is not,” Svoboda says.  Getting out of our own way is finely the key.” And that is the point, for the most part. It is ideal that at the end of the cleanse, it is recommended to take a day to meditate, be quiet and observe, you may want to ask yourself: ‘What can I do from now on to make my life the best it can be? What are the habits that I am doing to sabotage myself? and how can I help that? just becoming aware is a huge step.

During a detox, it is encouraged to take time to contemplate not only what you want for your own life but also what you want to put out into the world and all around you. If you can, spend at a half or a full day in silence, and spend time in nature or journaling about your experience. Did the cleanse give you clarity about how you may be exerting energy in ways that don’t serve you, and where you can use that energy more effectively, perhaps even to help a larger cause?

Get clear on the answers, and your life will get simpler: Do what works; don’t do what does not work,  it hurts you on many levels. As we temporarily change our daily routines, we open ourselves up to seeing and feeling from whole new perspectives and we grow in evolution.

Ayurvedic Fall Cleanse Recipe: Harvest Stew

This stew is easy to digest and is made with seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, medium-finely diced
1–2 tsp of high-quality sea salt
1 large carrot, finely chopped
2 small parsnips, finely chopped
2 cups butternut squash, diced to taste
2 cups green cabbage, diced
2 tsp fresh rosemary leaves
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
4 cups vegetable stock

Preparation

In a large soup pot place, the olive oil on heat at medium-high, then sauté the onions until transparent. When onions start to get clear, add a pinch of salt and the carrot. Add parsnips until they feel soft, repeat with squash, and then cabbage last.

Taste it and add salt to your like and continue to sauté vegetables until they begin to slightly stick to the bottom of the pan.

Add the rosemary and thyme, stir, and deglaze by adding a little vegetable stock  Add the rest of the stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and simmer on low for about half-hour. Taste occasionally and add, rosemary, or thyme until the desired flavor is achieved.

And there it is a delicious dish.

Part 2 of Ayurveda and Fall it will come soon