Fasting detoxification

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Fasting improves health as well as beauty!

 

Do not read further if:

- you are pregnant or lactating, or in menses

- you are already malnourished.

- you have a weak heart.

- you just had.surgery or are about to go for a surgery

- you are already experiencing weakened immune system.

- you have no time to rest and relax.

 

indications for detoxification

- Bad body odour

- Bad taste in mouth

- constipation

- constant tiredness

- coated tongue

- itching

- frequent cough/cold/flu

 

also if suffering from

- acne

- allergies

- psoriasis

- kidney stones

- eczema

- poor immune system

- uterine fibroids

- weight gain

- gallstones

- Menstrual irregularities,

- Leucorrhea

- PCOS

 

As we age, our health may diminish or deteriorate. Over the years we

get a build up of toxins in our bodies. One form of toxicity is by

heavy metals and is an excessive build-up of metals in the body.

These include mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and many more. Common

sources of heavy metals are: dental amalgams, vaccinations, food,

water and the environment. While most toxins are excreted from the

body through the kidneys and bowel, over time a build-up of these

poisons does occur.

 

Sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, water and air pollution have

contributed to unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise that

allows chemically-laced food residues to sit in the liver/colon for

longer periods of time. Ayurveda calls this as ama. ama causes

cravings, if parasites start gettoing fed on ama. Their prolonged

effect on bowel tissue can lead to the growth of polyps, and

ultimately, to colon cancer.

 

Toxic metals and other environmental pollutants are known to be a

cause of many serious or chronic health conditions. Even low levels

of lead intoxication may cause aggressive behavior and learning

disabilities. Accumulation of aluminum and mercury may contribute to

Alzheimers disease. Some research points to parasites as being a

primary cause of cancer. Ayurveda menstions several diseases of

reproductive system caused by parasites(one reason for leucorrhea may be

oarasites). Pesticides and chemicals

used in solvents or various household products, may very well

contribute to diseases such as Parkinsons or Multiple Sclerosis. Some

even believe that all illness is a result of toxicity brought about

by yeast and fungus infections, which are great decomposers of ama.

 

Removing toxins from the body will help a person who is already in

pretty good health to be able to continue that good health for a

longer period of time. In addition, removing toxins from the body of

a diseased person, will allow the bodys natural healing processes to

work a lot better. Thus, the person will have a better chance to

regain optimum health.

 

Fasting is another mode of slow detoxification of the body and does

not mean starvation but merely abstinence from food for a period of

time. Ancient sage devised a number of festivals which required

fasting. The fasting occasions were concentrated in monsoon season,

especially Lunar months Ashadh, Sravana, Bhadrapada, Aswin. Many observe

rules not to eat Non-vegetarian food during Ashadha month. These four

months are called Chaturmas and even Jain monks observe various

fastings. It is worth noting that Chaitri Navratri fasting coincides with

Spring detox period. Fasting takes care of most ailments, adds to the

beauty. The force of the disease decreases by fasting. Try this if

suffering from yeast infection, ringworm, eczema etc. Fasting takes

care of mental diseases also. Author was taught various fasting

methods to take care of even arthritis, sciatica, rheumatism etc.

Unfortunately, very few come forward to adopt those drugless

approaches. How long one should fast varies from person to person,

best left to the decision of Vaidya. The most stringent form is water

fasting. A milder form of fasting is juice fasting, involving the

juices of fruits and vegetables and herbal teas also for some. The

results vary depending on how intense detox program is.

 

During fasting, digestive organs including the stomach, intestines,

pancreas, gallbladder and liver, work in relaxed mode. These organs

and each tissue, cell is freed up to clean up, repair and to flush

out toxins. Cell membranes become flexible if proper juice scheme is chosen.

Weight loss is most rapid

early in the fast. Fasting can also generate discharge such as mucus

from the GI tract, respiratory tract, sinuses or urine.

 

In terms of symptoms, headache is a common occurrence on the first

day or two. Sensitivity is also increased and sense of smell can be

exaggerated. Some people even experience insomnia. Loose motions,

catarrah, cold, cough, low fever, itching, small eruptions, rashes

are part of healing crisis which generates as immune system becomes

active during detoxification process. These symptoms are temporary

and will not last. You may feel

worse before you feel better! As the body begins the process of

getting rid of toxins and parasites, you may be very uncomfortable.

However, this may indicate that your cleansing process is truly

working.

 

Fasting becomes starvation when the fatty tissue stores become

inadequate to fuel the body's metabolic needs. Starvation sets in

when the body begins to metabolize essential tissues (such as

the organs). First organ to become victim is fat stored around navel, hence

fasting is a effective root to reduce central obesity. For most of us, fasting

is pretty safe as we have

sufficient reserves to fast for a good number of days. But fasting

under religious banner, allowing several items, leaving salt or

specific items such as green veggies are not fasts in ayurvedic

sense, though Jains and Hindus observe such fasts. Teenager girls are

made to undertake fasts on religious grounds.

 

Water is essential to flush out toxins and waste from the body. It

also helps to transport essential nutrients. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of

water everyday. It is better to boil the water such that only 50%

remains. This makes it sharper increasing its bio-availability. A hot

bath increases blood flow and capillary action near the skin's

surface. Pores open due to the heat and this can speed up body

detoxification. Visit hot springs, sulphur springs if possible.

 

A detox diet consists of fruits, vegetables, herbal teas, juices and

boiled water. Banned items include Tea/coffee, alcohol, cooking oils, iodised

salt,

sugar and processed food. People have reported better immune system,

fewer skin problems and higher energy levels especially after a

dedicated detox and cleansing program.

 

Fast days are very beneficial to help the body cleanse and heal. It

is recommended that you fast twice a month for a couple of days or

better yet, fast one day a week. Try to fast at least one day a month

to start. Ancient acharyas connected fasting to spiritual and

religious practices, so that people will undertake with enthusiasm.

For instance, 11th lunar day is Ekadasi and our subconscious resides

either in Crown Chakra or heart chakra depending on brighter

fortnight (ending with full moon) or darker fortnight (ending at new

moon). It is recommended to fast on ekadasi so that we obtain

increased satva guna. Satva guna means health of mind while Rajas and

Tamas are considered doshas of the mind. Food offers us Prana shakti,

every mouthful of food should be chewed adequately with satvik

thoughts in mind so that health will increase. The health of the mind

is seen as beauty and serenity on the face. When doshas increase,

they do not allow patient to fast, tempt him (through cravings) to eat forbidden

foods.

 

There is a way around this. Those who eat 3-4 times a day can take

food once only. If you stop food totally, take fruits or vegetable

juices.

 

 

Because most of us are filled with toxins, it is much harder on the

body to fast by consuming only water. A juice fast is recommended

over a water fast for people beginning fasting for the first time.

The juice of fruits and vegetables is filled with healing, cleansing

properties, which allow the body to gently and safely detoxify. Juice

is packed with vitamins, minerals, living enzymes, antioxidants and

phytochemicals. The nutrients go into the body and the toxins come

out.

 

Juice fasting can include fresh juice, herbal teas sweetened with

honey, vegetable soups, Barley grass or wheatgrass juice. Juices of

vegetables which are fruits of creepers, e.g. bottle gourd, snake

gourd, bitter gourd can be taken in quantity suiting the individual.

If excess quantity is taken, one will have loose motions as a result

of toxicity in vegetable (bitter gourd is most well known for this).

Leafy vegetable juices also offer the fiber required to clean colon. How much

old fecal matter (black or chocolate color) comes out, you can find out for

yourself.

 

Best time for detoxification is March-April and Sept-Oct every year.

Though most procedures of home panchkarma or detoxification advise

taking some laxative at bedtime, the type of laxative should be

chosen to suit the individual. Ayurveda offers a number of herbs, but

it is seen that one herb which is laxative for someone, does not

appear so to another or even may constipate for third person. Secondly, the

laxative may not be necessary if leafy juices are taken.

 

 

Your detoxification plan may have to be modified if you have health

restrictions such as diabetes or hypoglycemia. Sweet fruits such as

bananas, dates, raisins are slow to digest and help maintain a stable

blood sugar level. Their high calorie content slows the intensity of

the fast and, because they are easy to digest, the body still devotes

energy to cleansing. Authors all diabetes patients consume dates or

raisins! Though fasting is a simple technique, it is better to

consult Vaidya who can advise correct fruits/vegetable juices, herbal

teas etc.

 

Periodic fasting is a great way to get your body on the fast track to

detoxification and resulting health. Even patients suffering from

peoblems of endocrine glands (e.g. Thyroid) are seen to benifit.And lastly, the

glow on the face adds to the beauty!

 

Though there is a great propoganda that third world countries are

suffering from inadequate nutrition, author feels that affluent

people suffer from excess nutrition rather than inadequate nutrition.

This excess adds to Tamas and Rajas in mind, leading to more greed

and difference in wealth distribution in society.

 

 

ayurveda , " grman53 " <grman53 wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I have a 2 part question. My wife (53 yrs old) is on syntroid for a

> thyroid condition. not sure if its too active or inactive. Is there

> anything that she could take to help with her situation?

> Next,

> I hear people talking about colon hydrotherapy and colon cleaning.

I

> take triphala daily. I want to fast and do a general " house

cleaning "

> for spring. I also hear that people can carry pounds of fecal

matter

> inside. Is this true? I want to know if it is worthwhile to have a

> colon cleaning?

> Thank you,

> Rick