Ever considered that neglecting self-care is like a country skipping its taxes, leaving it vulnerable? The result? Our bodies lose their ease, and diseases set in.
Let's talk about the wisdom body that coined the word 'toxins' when it talked about the pathogenesis about 6,000 years back! It is Ayurveda and Ayurveda is this. Historically, it’s the oldest healing. Philosophically, holistic healing. Geographically, ancient Indian healing. Therapeutically, person-centred healing. Ecologically, the most sustainable healing. Effectively, the art of blissful living and the science of natural healing. And, scientifically, the one that is constantly being proven by our researchers.
What does Ayurveda offer? Ayurveda offers guidance for all possible levels of living. Blissful living, precise preventative measures, and adaptable curative methods. Our health routine is compromised often when life becomes hectic. When we fail in some of these practices long enough - our body becomes vulnerable - just like a country becomes weak or fragile when we don’t pay taxes! The body loses its ease. Disease sets in.
When you look at the true core of the disease it is always toxins - both endo/exo-toxins, intruded foreign substances, or irritants.
Toxins and Immunity. The process of disease is built on the tug-of-war between the toxins (ama) and the immune system (balam). If the immune system attacks the toxins effectively it’s called an inflammatory condition. When it attacks the toxins embedded deep in the tissues, it’s called an autoimmune condition, when the toxins overpower the immune system and turn off the regenerative activities this condition is called degenerative. And, finally, when the system outsources the detoxification to the microbes, it’s called an infection. Healing starts with finding the causes, preventing them, dispelling toxins, repairing the affected tissues and finally upgrading the patient's awareness and lifestyle.
Detox - the theory. Among this, when we need an efficient and complete system for dispelling toxins Panchakarma - ‘the five procedures’, or loosely ‘the ultimate 'cleanses’ is the best path. Let me simplify them into therapeutic emetic, purgative, enema, errhines, and bloodletting. In other words, Panchakarma finds every possible molecule of toxins and expels them from every single cell! Various rituals and treatments of Panchakarma are done in a very peaceful space, in a supportive and caring way, and well monitored. A person slides through this procedure over 3-6 weeks and comes out with better shine and calm. They become more well, efficient, and productive.
When do you need Panchakarma? You have a recurring issue. It's getting worse. Life as normal is becoming increasingly painful and almost difficult. You can’t find sufficient time for your healing practices and routine. You are not responding well enough to the outpatient treatments. This is when one opts for a Panchakarma program.
What happens during Panchakarma? The most foundational element of Panchakarma is generating a complete sense of restfulness. You unplug from your home and work, relationships and responsibilities, Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and emails and messages. Now you have nowhere to go and nothing to do. Slowly we connect with soft music, an old novel, and the quietness around us. With minimal activities, your mind and body soften. It’s a rare and invaluable feeling, achieved through simple healing rituals such as counselling and abhyanga massage. It takes from 3-7 days for this stage.
The second phase further deepening of the relaxation. Calming sattvic food, warm oil streams on your forehead and body, hot herbal rice paste massage, and other similar treatments will help induce a deeper state of relaxation, taking from 3-7 days.
Now, you are ready for the third phase - to dissolve the deep-seated toxins and reopen your channels with a therapy called Snehapana, or internal oleation. You will perhaps be assigned one specific herbal ghee to help saturate your body and soften the toxins. This can take a further 3-7 days.
The fourth stage is a short one. An herbal steam therapy keeps the toxins melting and moving into the gut.
In the fifth stage, the dislodged toxins arrive in your. Damp, heavy toxins tend to lodge in the stomach, acidic ones in the small intestine, and dry, subtle, and cold ones in the large intestine. Toxins in the head arrive in the sinus. Those in the trapped zone will be left in the blood there. These toxins are flushed using a suitable cleanse. Now the system is cleansed, but a bit tired as if you had a major surgery. After the cleanse is over, your gut flora is renewed and empowered with a meticulous routine and nutrition. The above facts explain why Ayurveda is responsible for over 50% of India's medical tourism.
