Five Effective Ayurvedic Therapies for Full Body Detoxification

Our bodies accumulate harmful toxins in today's unhealthy lifestyles, food, and stress. These toxins or doshas lead to all sorts of health issues. Some common complications include lethargy, insomnia, infertility, arthritis, cancer, obesity, etc. It is beneficial to release toxins for the better functioning of our body.

Along with a healthy diet, several ancient Ayurvedic therapies help with full body detoxification from doshas. However, before going ahead with these detox therapies, consult a doctor to accurately determine the dosha. The following is a list of Ayurvedic therapies for a full body detox.

1. Abhyanga Full Body Detoxification

Abhyangam in Sanskrit means applying oil all over the body. The ancient Ayurvedic texts emphasise oil massage as one of the ointments for a healthy and long life. Therefore, it is not surprising to find regular oil massage as a part of common Indian households.

An Abhyanga therapy involves using warm herbal oil to massage a patient's body with light rhythmic strokes. One or two expert masseurs go ahead with the process, firmly applying pressures on certain points of his or her body. These gentle and strong strokes regulate blood circulations, loosen muscle knots and relieve pain.

These are the steps to follow to perform Abhyanga full body detoxification:

Step 1: Purvakarma

For the Abhyanga therapy, a warm and ventilated room is kept ready. The patient lies down on a special wooden board or droni while trained masseurs assist them. Based on the patient's dosha, sesame oil mixed with selective herbs is chosen. Masseurs start by applying the herb oil all over the patient's body.

Step 2: Pradhanakarma

The dosha type determines the position in which a patient should lie or sit. Ideally, the massage should start with light rhythmic strokes on one's head and face. Next, the practitioner will move downwards, intensifying pressure.

The pressure to apply varies from one region of the body to another. For instance, face, eyes, head, neck, and chest receive light pressure. While one’s abdomen, sides, and behind the neck receive firm and longer strokes. Clockwise strokes are applied to one’s joints and stomach- mapping the intestinal path.

Step 3: Paschatakarma

The massage is done for around 5-15 minutes. Following this, the patient is left to rest for 15 more minutes. After this, he/she should take a herbal bath before showering with lukewarm water to wash off the oil residues.

According to Ayurveda texts, an Abhyanga full body detox offers these benefits:

• Relieves muscles from exhaustion and stiffness
• Regulates blood circulation
• Slows down ageing
• Increases stamina
• Improves eyesight
• Improves sleep cycle and cures insomnia

2. Ksheera Dhoomam Detox Therapy

Ksheera means milk in Sanskrit, while Dhoomam means vapour. Ksheera Dhoomam is a special Swedana Ayurvedic technique where milk vapours are used to detoxify the body off doshas. This detox therapy helps to cure Vata dosha and illnesses like facial paralysis, stress, and locked jaws.

In this therapy, milk and medicinal herbs are heated in a pot, and the vapour is applied to the patient's entire body. This full-body detox treatment takes around 45 minutes.

Ayurveda practitioners perform Ksheera Dhoomam in these steps: 

Step 1: Purvakarma

After monitoring the patient's dosha, herbal medicine and cow's milk are heated in a pressure cooker-like vessel. The vapours from this mixture are released through a concealed tube onto the patient.

Before the patient is exposed to Ksheera Dhoomam, masseurs anoint them with herbal oil. Lotus leaves are used to cover their eyes. Cotton pieces dipped in cold water are used to bandage the leaves.

Step 2: Pradhanakarma

As the Bala Moola Kashaya or decoction starts brewing, the patient sits on a stool blindfolded and draped with a blanket. The Bala Moola Kashaya vapour vents out from the tube attached to the boiling vessel. 

As the steam bath proceeds, the patient sweats profusely. Very often, the vapour is let out only in the affected regions. If a patient needs Kshriya Dhooma in a specific region, the therapeutic doctor will ensure that the region is well anointed.

Step 3: Paschatakarma

After the steam bath, masseurs cleanse the patient's face using a sterile cloth. The patient rests in a well-ventilated room before going for a bath. After the therapy, the patient must avoid exposure to a sunny or windy day.

Finally, a refreshing shower with lukewarm water helps to cleanse the excess sweat and oil from one's body. The total duration of this therapy varies from 7 to 21 days based on the dosha. Patients consume doses of medicated oil and ghee for some days to induce detox by purgation.

Ksheera Dhoomam helps in curing these ailments:

• Facial paralysis, facial palsy, locked jaw
• Neck stiffness
• Cervical spondylitis
• Speech disorders
• Nervous disorder
• Headache
• Numbness
• Anxiety

3. Uzhichil Full Body Detox

The therapeutic practice of Uzhichil is thousands of years old. This full-body detox treatment is popular amongst the Kalaripayattu warriors of Kerala. "Uzhichil" in Malayalam means traditional massage. This Ayurvedic therapy is also popular as "Kalari Chikitsa" and "Padaghata." 

Kalaripayattu is a martial art that coordinates one's mind and body with instincts. Thus, marma chikitsa and physical treatments play a vital role here. In Uzhichil, the masseurs apply pressure with their feet after applying anointments. As certain pressure points need to be handled delicately, standing on the patients helps meet the need.

Uzhichil is a process of marma chikitsa. Marma is a term for the soft and vital parts of the body. According to Kalari wisdom, a human body has 300 marmas; fractures to these points can be fatal. Thus, to regenerate these marmas, focus plays an essential role. Only trained and experienced masseurs perform this Ayurvedic full body detox therapy.

The following steps are required to perform Uzhichil:

Step 1: Purvakarma

This process begins with the heating of herbal oil specific to dosha. After the oil reaches a comfortable boiling state, it is poured onto the patient's body. Two or three masseurs accompany the patient to a ventilated room.

The room has ropes tied close to the ceiling for masseurs to hold while they massage patients with their feet.

Step 2: Pradhanakarma

After the patient lies down, masseurs pour the comfortably warm oil on them. After a primary oil massage, one trainer climbs on the patient's back. Taking support with the rope, Uzhichil begins slowly. 

Applying necessary pressure on every marma, Uzhichil continues with rhythmic light and intense strokes. During this process, other practitioners continue pouring warm herbal oil on the patient. While some regions receive light strokes, few get very intense strokes. The massage continues until the patient starts sweating intensely.

Step 3: Paschatakarma

After a rhythmic massage with 3-4 litres of oil, the patient rests for a while before having a warm water bath.

Following are the benefits of Uzhichil full body detoxification therapy:

• Removes toxins in the form of sweat
• Strengthens muscles
• Improves blood flow
• Brings in sound sleep
• Brings shine to skin
• Lowers stress and anxiety

4. Thalapothichil Detox Therapy

Thalapothichil is an effective Ayurvedic therapy for psychosomatic disorders. Thalapotichil or Shirolepa in Malayalam means applying ointment to the scalp. Unlike other ayurvedic detox therapies, Thalapotichil helps calm nerves with a cooling effect.

A paste of buttermilk, medicinal herbs, and oil is applied to the scalp. The entire procedure of Thalapotichil is given below.

Thalapotichil is a great Ayurvedic full-body detox therapy for everyone. However, pregnant women and kids should avoid this. Ayurvedic doctors suggest Thalapothichil to patients with insomnia, migraines, or immature greying of hair. Thalapotichil takes place in the given three steps.

Step 1: Purvakarma

Before applying the buttermilk paste, a patient needs to undergo Abhyanga therapy. Its oiling and light massage processes activate the patient's blood circulation in the scalp. Herbal oil also helps to generate heat in the scalp region. Scalp pores are also active in absorbing medicinal extract from the paste. 

Practitioners cook the paste by brewing buttermilk, carefully assessing the patient's condition.

Step 2: Pradhanakarma

Pradhanakarma, or the main act, starts after the milk is ready. Once Abhyanga is over, the patient sits comfortably on a chair. Practitioners slowly apply the paste to their scalp. It covers the entire scalp except for a small groove in the centre. In this small groove, practitioners pour medicinal oil.

The Thalapothichil paste is 0.5 to 1 cm thick. After applying the paste, practitioners cover it with lotus or banana leaves except for the groove.

Finally, the layer remains to dry for 30-40 minutes, depending on the dosha.

Step 3: Paschatakarma

After 30-34 minutes, the practitioner removes the paste and provides a head massage to wash off any remains.

Thalapotichil or Shirolepa full body detoxification offers the following benefits:

• Relief from migraine
• Treats insomnia and other sleep disorders
• Great for hair health
• Detoxifies body from specific dosha
• Reduces joint stiffness
• Relax and re-energise mind and sense organs
• Recharge and activate Marma points
• Help stimulate endocrine glands

5. Snehapanam Detox Therapy

Snehapanam is therapeutic detoxification that preludes the Panchakarma therapy. Snehan in Sanskrit means internal or external application of medicinal oils. In this process, a body uses most of its energy eliminating toxins. Therefore, Ayurvedic doctors suggest that patients rest as much as possible.

Substances like sesame oil, castor oil, medicinal ghee or plant and animal fat are put to use to induce expulsion via food pipe.

Snehapana is a 3-5 days process that helps one's body prepare for Panchakarma Pradhanakarma, the ultimate detoxifying body from doshas. The food of the patient is restricted to just ghee and later oil. It begins in the early morning when he/she consumes ghee on an empty stomach.

Practitioners perform Snehapana in either of the two steps:

• Archapana

Doctors prescribe large doses of ghee and animal fats on the basis of a certain patient's digestive capabilities. Patients consume them on an empty stomach either in the morning or evening while doctors monitor belches. Archapana helps patients to buckle up for Vamana and Virechana detoxification therapy.

• Vicharana

Patients' diet regime includes small amounts of ghee and other insoluble fats. This is a nourishing therapy for Vata Vyadhi.

After every dosage, doctors examine belches for undigested ghee. Patients should drink lukewarm water throughout the entire process.

The following are the benefits of opting for Snehapanam detox:

• Improves digestion
• Boosts your Agni
• Lowers stress
• Reduces ageing signs like wrinkles, loose skin
• Treats peptic ulcer
• Eases expulsion during Vamana and Verichana

Ayurveda states that our body comprises five elements- Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Ether. Stress, anxiety, depression and anger cause disbalance amongst these elements. Thus, making us prey to many diseases. One should go for a full body detox therapy to get rid of doshas and lead a healthy life.