How To Plan A 10-Day Ayurvedic Detox Cleanse?
Feeling lethargic? Why not do an Ayurvedic detox cleanse? Welcome the spa-like touch of nature and incorporate the goodness of Ayurveda into your daily routine.
Adopting Ayurveda into your lifestyle will not only re-engineer your body for good, but it will also bring serenity that’s lost in the hustle of everyday life. Don’t believe us? Take a stroll through our 10-day Ayurvedic cleansing journey and experience goodness yourself.
Over time, our body starts accumulating toxins that weigh us down physically and mentally. Thus to rejuvenate, we must take a break from our daily obligations and look at what our mind, body, and soul need. And it’s certainly not a cup of ramen!
Ayurveda will ease all your worries by offering you solutions and the root cause behind it all. So, without any delay, let’s hop on this journey of Ayurvedic cleanses.
What Is Ayurvedic Detox Cleanse?
The ancient school of healing, Ayurveda, demystifies our physiology and provides a detoxifying regime that endeavors to rid our bodies of the accumulated toxins.[1] Over time, our body releases toxins (ama) due to many factors, distorting the healthy balance required to lead a wholesome life.
According to Ayurveda, our body comprises five elements and three doshas.
- Vatta (Nervous System),
- Pitta (Metabolic System),
- Kapha (Nutritive System)
The three doshas must be in harmony with each other to avoid diseases and remain healthy. Once the tender balance between the three doshas is disrupted, our body starts deteriorating and becomes a victim of illness. Hence, the Ayurvedic detox cleanse has been developed to restore the healthy balance between the three doshas.
This process of restoring balance by adopting Ayurvedic healing practices is called Panchkarma, five actions or procedures [2]. This is a traditional Ayurvedic cleanse to eliminate toxins that accumulate due to pollution, processed food, and improper lifestyle.
Thus, these toxins are gently eliminated through a detox cleanse to avoid diseases and regain vitality to maintain the digestive fire or “Agni.” Ayurveda emphasizes a healthy digestive tract as it believes it’s the root from where significant problems arise.
So, in a nutshell, the Ayurvedic detox cleanse is all about healthy digestion and lifestyle.
Why Do You Need Detox?
Feeling sluggish? Is sleeping not energizing you like it used to? Have you been overeating or undereating?
Then you definitely need an Ayurvedic cleanse!
As most problems occur due to improper dosha balance, finding harmony is extremely important. To help you out, we have briefly explained various dosha and their imbalances to help identify your excess dosha.
1. Vata Imbalance
Vata is the energy of air and space governing the nervous system in the human body. It controls blood circulation, bodily movements, thoughts, and a person’s mind [3]. Vata is essential, and it needs to be balanced for other doshas to be balanced.
Below are the reasons for Vata imbalance and what you can eat to cure it.
| Causes | Effects | Food to Eat | Food to Avoid |
| Disturbed sleep cycle | Headache, loss of focus | Peaches, guava, avocado, zucchini, oranges, dates, ripe bananas, etc. | Apples, raspberries, peas, onion, garlic, radish, etc. |
| Emotional imbalance | Joint aches, contractions and cramps | Rice syrup, maple syrup | Cold and hard cheese |
| Cold and windy climate | Weight loss, constipation | rice, oats, quinoa | Refined sugar |
| Excessive workout and indulgence in sexual acts | Dry skin and brittle nails | Tulsi tea, vanilla tea, yogurt, soft cheese, ghee, olive oil, etc. | Corn, popcorn, rye, etc. |
| Excessive talking | Anxiousness and agitation | Sweet, salty, and sour food in general. | Coffee, liquor, kombucha, black tea, dandelion tea, etc. |
2. Pitta Imbalance
Pitta is the fire and water energy governing the metabolic and biochemical processes in the human body [4]. If your Pitta dosha is imbalanced, then your body and mind have differing reactions to this imbalance.
Below are the reasons for imbalance or excess Pitta and what you can eat to cure it.
| Causes | Effects | Food to Eat | Food to Avoid |
| Excessive coffee, nicotine, and alcohol intake | Heartburn and sunburn | Coconut, apples, cucumber, broccoli, kale, figs, etc. | Pickles, sour cherries, lemons, pineapple, etc. (avoid sour and pungent food) |
| Intense exposure to sun | Aggressive temperament | Basmati rice, quinoa, couscous barley pasta | Sour cream, hard cheese, yogurt |
| Stress and lack of sleep | Nausea and diarrhea | Mint tea, black tea with milk and honey, chamomile tea | Salt (acceptable in moderation) |
| Processed food | Excess sweat and body odor | Lentils, chickpeas, sunflower seeds | Hard alcohol, lemon tea, ginger tea, etc. |
| chemical exposures | Teeth sensitivity | Whole milk, paneer, unsalted cheese, etc | Peanuts, cashews, salted nuts |
3. Kapha Imbalance
Kapha is the energy of water and air governing the nutritive system of the body. It promotes stability, lubrication, and stamina while making us feel content [5]. Kapha dosha induces feelings of emotional calm and empathy when it is balanced. But it gets reversed in imbalance.
Below are the reasons for Pitta imbalance and what you can eat to cure it.
| Causes | Effects | Food to Eat | Food to Avoid |
| Excessive intake of red meat | Weak digestion and obesity | Peppers, brussels sprouts, eggplant, celery, carrots, pear, apples, etc. | Too sweet or sour veggies |
| Deep-fried, oily food and refined sugar/corn syrup | Lack of appetite and depression | Corn, millet, rye | Butter, cold milk, olive oil, etc. |
| Cold and carbonated drinks | Stubbornness and unclarity | Ginger tea, black tea, clove or cinnamon tea | Refined sugar |
| Overeating | Clingy and possessive behavior | Ghee, yogurt, goat cheese (all in moderation) | wheat, oats |
| Lack of exercise | Congestion, mucus accumulation | Raw honey, lentils, mung beans, sesame seeds, etc. |
How To Start Your Ayurvedic Detoxification Journey?
Ayurvedic cleansing isn’t a one-day procedure. It’s a long healing process where your digestive system naturally detoxifies itself with proper care. But that is easier said than done!
You have to let go of your current habits to adopt new ones, and it isn’t an easy task to accomplish. So why not ask yourself- “Am I ready to give up coffee and chilled-up smoothies? If the answer comes out as “Yes,” half of your cleansing preparation is already done.
However, if you are:
- Pregnant,
- Breastfeeding,
- Menstruating,
- Anemic, or
- Recovering from a surgery, then it’s best to avoid an Ayurvedic cleanse and start when you’re all better.
Apart from the people mentioned above, anyone can do Ayurvedic cleansing. Take a brief glance at what the Ayurvedic detox cleansing process will look like!
- A detox vacation and setting some days aside for the ritual
- Waking early and sleeping early
- A healthy and planned diet
- Remaining stress-free
- Calming massages
- Meditation, deep relaxation, and yoga
But before starting, keep in mind that your body will undergo multiple changes. As all the excess Vata, Pitta, and Kapha will be drawn out during the detox process, your body will experience many sensations[6]. From your sleep cycle to your bowel movements, everything will change.
Thus, it is advisable to keep your days free with minimum obligations if you plan to do an Ayurvedic cleanse.
A 10-Day Ayurvedic Detox Cleansing Guide
Once you are well-acquainted with Ayurvedic cleansing, it’s time to finally start your 10-day detox journey. You need to diligently follow this from morning to night to feel the new you on the 11th day.
So, without any delay, let’s get started!
Day 1-Day 2 (The Preparation Phase)
Morning Routine
- Wake up early in the morning, by 6 am sharp.
- After you’ve fully woken up, do Jiwah Prakshalan or tongue scraping to clean your tongue, and then brush the teeth gently. According to Ayurveda, your tongue isn’t just a tasting organ; it defines the state of your gut health [7]. You need to pay extra attention to your tongue and always clean it.
- Once you’re done brushing, take 2 tbsp of sesame oil or coconut oil (depending on your dosha) and swish it around the mouth. This process of swishing oil in your mouth is called ‘oil pulling,’ known for promoting good dental hygiene. Do this for 15 minutes, and then spit out the oil in your trash bin. You wouldn’t want to dirty your sink, right?
- Try dry brushing your body for better blood circulation. Use a dry brush and stroke it gently on your body to detoxify. You can do this while you’re oil pulling.
- After dry brushing, do ‘Abhyanga’ or self-massage with warm dosha-specific oils [8]. Once you’re done massaging, let the oil rest on your skin for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, you can do simple yoga poses, simple stretching, or taichi.
- After exercising, follow up with a nice warm shower now. But be careful not to slip!
Diet
- Have 3 tbsp of warm ghee before you eat breakfast. Replace ghee with flaxseed oil if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, or are vegan.
- Eat your dosha supporting meal during the detoxification process.
- For breakfast, have simple oatmeal and eat healthy ‘Kitchari’ in the afternoon. For your evening meal, stick to your dosha supporting meal.
- If you’re Vata, you can eat unlimited steamed vegetables or lentil soup for dinner would be good. As Vata people have a cold and dry body constitution, they should always eat warm food and drink warm liquids. Basically, avoid anything cold.
- The digestive capacity of Vata is the strongest from 12 am-1 pm. They should eat the biggest meal of the day during this time and keep all other meals very light with easy-to-digest foods.
- If you’re Kapha, avoid cold foods as your digestive fire isn’t as strong. Eating warm meals that increase metabolism is advisable.
- Don’t forget to drink 8-12 cups of warm water throughout the day.
- Eat your dinner by 7 pm and drink ‘Triphala tea’ half an hour before bed.
Evening
- Take regular nature walks in the evening after dinner.
- Sleep by 10 pm.
Follow this routine for three days. If this sounds tough to you, then hold your breath for Day 3!
Day 3 – Day 8 (The Active Cleansing Phase)
Day 3-Day 6 (Mono Diet of Kitchari)
There’s no change on the third day except that you’ll only eat “Kitchari” for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without veggies. Mono diet, remember?
We know it sounds boring! But you need this detox, so follow the rules and don’t back out once you’ve started. You can try inhaling calming essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, or neroli throughout the day to uplift your spirits.
Indulge in self-care practices and stay calm by listening to soothing music. Close your day like other days and head to sleep at 10 pm to wake up early. Meet you on day 7!
Day 7-Day 8 (Improvised Kitchari Diet)
Was the mono diet too much to handle? Don’t worry! It’s getting better now. You’re free to add veggies to your Kitchari to make it more appetizing from this day onwards.
Add veggies that supplement your dosha to your Kitchari (recipe mentioned at the end), and then gobble it all up. However, if it’s too much and you can’t eat Kitchari all day long, you can eat oatmeal for breakfast. Still, don’t do it unless you’re seriously sick of the mono diet.
If you’re a Vata dominant person, you might want to do colon cleansing for better bowel movement. Here are the steps you need to follow to perform colon cleansing.
- Pour 1 tbsp of Dashamoola powder on 2 cups of boiled water and wait for 5 minutes.
- Strain the liquid and let it cool to body temperature.
- Use the liquid as an enema and hold it for 30 minutes.
- Defecate and wash your hands.
Do this colon cleansing before showering for better bowel movement.
Day 9 – Day 10 (Reintroduction Phase)
The mono diet officially ends here! You can now start eating different meals but don’t make the change too drastic. In this reintroduction phase, you need to ease back to your regular routine while not wholly giving away the detox rituals.
According to Ayurveda, this phase is crucial as, after the detoxification process, your body is still eliminating toxins. Thus, if you start eating processed or unhealthy food, all this cleansing process would be for naught.
In the last two days of your Ayurvedic cleanse, do what you usually did while practicing meditation and Pranayama. The latter is a simple breathing meditation exercise in which you breathe alternately through your nostrils. You should also indulge in a head massage while doing your usual body massage to improve blood circulation.
Remember that even after the cleansing process is over, you shouldn’t give up foods that supplement your dosha. Always eat right and maintain a healthy dosha balance.
Ayurvedic Recipes To Follow
To successfully carry out your Ayurvedic detox cleanse, follow a very simple diet. Here are the recipes that you need to follow.
1. Ayurvedic Diet: Kitchari
Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish that is easy to make and easy to digest. It’s a healthier and much better alternative to processed foods. Let’s see how you can make Kitchari at home.
Ingredients List
- Basmati rice
- Mung dal
- Ghee
- Turmeric powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Ginger-garlic paste
- Mustard
- Hing
- Cumin powder
Preparation Method
Step 1: Wash 1 cup split basmati rice with 1 cup yellow mung dal and let it soak overnight.
Step 2: Heat ghee in a pan and add all the spices.
Step 3: Add the rice and mung dal with 6 cups of water in the pan once the spices are cooked.
Step 4: Let it cook for 30 minutes or until the water is soaked up.
Step 5: Plate Kitchari with a drizzle of lime and fresh cilantro.
You can add your dosha supporting vegetables in the Kitchari too. But do that from day 7 onwards.
2. Triphala Drink
Triphala is an important part of the Ayurvedic lifestyle, made up of Amalaki, Bhibhitaki, and Haritaki. It is a nourishing laxative, especially for people with excess Vata suffering from constipation. Here’s what you need to prepare a Triphala drink.
Ingredients List
- Triphala powder
- Water
- Honey
Preparation Method
Step 1: Add 1 tbsp of Triphala powder to ½ cup of boiling water.
Step 2: Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes and add honey.
Step 3: Drink the mixture while it’s still warm.
Apart from these, you can try any other herbal tea that supplements your dosha.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic cleanse aims to heal your natural constitution by replacing unhealthy habits. It provides a clear route and step-by-step process to detoxify the toxins we accumulate over time. It’s like a customized plan to rejuvenate yourself in the comfort of your home. The only requisite is that you know your dosha well.
This detoxification journey will set your puzzled life into motion again by changing your old habits for good. Although the process might seem tough initially, you’ll surely get through it.
So, start your Ayurvedic gentle cleanse and heal your haggard mind, body, and soul!
References:
[1]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ayurvedic-detox#basics
[2]https://www.yo1.com/health-guide/the-ayurvedic-cleanse-of-panchakarma.html
[3]https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/recognize-the-signs-of-vata-imbalance/
[4]https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/pitta
[5]https://yogainternational.com/article/view/about-kapha
[7]https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/blog/ayurveda-101-the-benefits-of-tongue-scraping/
