Lots of people all over the world are interested in detox and the topic is getting plenty of media attention. But the concept has a long tradition behind it. Numerous cultures and religions recognise phases during which the body and soul are cleansed. Likewise, these kinds of detox processes have a firm place in the millennia-old Ayurvedic teachings. Never has this been more relevant, because unhealthy diets, smoking, alcohol, stress and environmental toxins are all putting a strain on people. Ayurvedic detox therapy takes the strain off our body like a good spring-clean, allowing a return to health and restoring inner strength. This approach removes toxins from the body, cleanses the intestine and enhances circulation to the skin. It also prompts the brain to release happy hormones. This effect was recognised by the German physician, Otto Buchinger. In 1920, he opened his fasting clinic where he developed therapeutic fasting: a technique aimed at cleansing the body of waste. Nowadays, the concept of fasting is hotly disputed between its ardent proponents and its critics. The latter repeatedly emphasise that there is no scientific basis to support fasting. Their argument is as follows: components from food are constantly channeled into our cells via the bloodstream and any substances that are no longer required are transported out again. This waste material is detoxified in the liver and excreted via the skin, kidneys or bowel. So a healthy body does not need to undergo a detox. Our bodies do not actually contain tar-like, sticky residues from ore smelting. Industrially processed foods are nonetheless alien to the body. It does everything it can to get rid of them again. In order to do this, mucous is produced in the intestine – sometimes more than is required. This mucous has a very specific function: it coats exogenous substances and ensures that they can be excreted. However, if the body is inundated with harmful substances, potentially damaging residues can build up in connective tissues and cells. Examples of this are familiar metabolic waste products such as calcium oxide in arteriosclerosis, uric acid crystals in gout, protein in Alzheimer's disease or immune complexes for certain kidney and vascular inflammation. According to the German Federal Environment Agency, the most toxic dioxin has a half-life of approximately seven years; in other words, over the course of this period only half of the dioxin is broken down. Other dioxins have a half-life of 20 years. By contrast, Ayurvedic doctors tend to talk much more about digestive problems. This is because, according to Ayurvedic teaching, impaired digestive strength results in an accumulation of undigested metabolic intermediate products (Ama). Ama acts as a toxin in the body and can inhibit the free transportation of substances through the body's natural pathways because of its sticky properties. Accumulated Ama also facilitates the development of illness. A healthy organism is capable of eliminating/excreting accumulated Ama with the help of a well-functioning digestive system. A weakened organism encourages the development of Ama, thus facilitating the occurrence of various medical conditions.2.) Detox: when the body needs help
Taking a break for a limited period, such as by fasting, is good for almost everyone
Pollutants cause residues
Environmental toxins such as dioxins, PCBs and plasticisers can be stored in fatty tissues – some for several years
"You will never hear the terms detox or cleansing from a traditional Indian Ayurvedic doctor, but Europeans like these concepts", explains Andreas Michalsen, Head of the Department for Natural Medicine at Immanuel hospital in Berlin and current holder of the endowment professorship for naturopathy at the Charité.
TO GET THE DIGESTIVE FIRE BURNING AGAIN:
3.) Detoxification with Ayurveda
The digestive system is a central issue in Ayurveda and in Ayurvedic detox treatments. But the focus is not on enzymes or individual organs such as the stomach or bowel, but instead on the specific interplay between the tridosha and Agni, the digestive fire, and the formation of healthy tissues. Everything we eat and drink has to be processed by our body. This process takes place at all levels: in the gastrointestinal tract, in our brain, in our sensory organs and in every cell. As soon as we eat or drink, the body reacts because it is facing a huge task: every second it has to produce 50 million new somatic cells to replace other cells.
This physical response initially takes place in three places in the digestive tract:
1. In the stomach: Kapha ensures that the chewed food pulp is mixed and liquefied. A task that takes roughly three hours. For good reason: softened food components are subsequently easier to process. This first phase of digestion produces Ahara Rasa and Kapha. Both are transported to the heart, from where they are fed to the rest of the body: this is the elixir of life for tissues with a high proportion of Kapha. These include muscles, fat and the brain.
2. In the small intestine: with the help of enzymes, Pitta splits the contents of the stomach into its smallest components so that it can be absorbed by the body. Most of the food we consume is broken down for dispersal in the small intestine. The end products are Ahara Rasa and Pitta. Both are needed by the body to nourish organs with a high proportion of Pitta – for example, our eyes.
3. In the large intestine: this is where Vata takes responsibility for the work. The bioenergy Vata transports any remaining food and ensures that components such as minerals, water and fat are absorbed by the body.
As a consequence, the remaining food pulp becomes increasingly dry. Now myriads of intestinal bacteria set about their work, utilising the final remaining elements of food. What is left is the indigestible stool. Finally, Ahara Rasa and Vata are reabsorbed to nourish the nerves and bones – body tissues with a high proportion of Vata. Agni plays an important role in digestion. The digestive fire is located in various sections of the digestive tract and helps break down the food consumed. At the same time, Agni destroys microorganisms, foreign bacteria and toxins in the stomach and intestine. Vasant Lad, Master of Ayurvedic Science and Director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque in the US state of New Mexico, is convinced that Agni promises a long life and takes care of our intelligence, understanding, cognition and ability to learn. Provided Agni can fulfil its natural function, the body's digestive processes will operate smoothly. The individual will feel healthy. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, particularly as we grow older.
