Inner Cleanse: Increase Your Energy, Vitality & Clarity
| Written By: Denice Zengo |
Clean up on the Inside
Most likely you shower every day, wash your hair and brush your teeth. Maybe even twice a day if you’ve been exercising or have some big plans for the evening. But what do you do to clean up the inside of your body? The parts you can’t see or touch?
Ama – Toxic Accumulation
No matter how healthy your diet might be you are still exposed to environmental toxins in your food, water and the air that you breathe. There is really no way around it in this day and age. The build up of these toxins over a period of time is called Ama in Ayurvedic medicine. Ama is the underlying cause for ill health, lack of energy and a precursor for disease.
One of the easiest ways to keep excessive Ama at bay is to do a periodic cleanse. This is best done in the early Spring and Fall on a regular basis. Think of it as your bi-annual tune up.
Speed up Your Metabolism for Weight Loss
Over a period of time, without cleansing, Ama continues to build up in your system slowing down your digestive fire. This is called Agni. Without this fire your body is not able to adequately absorb nutrients and process food. All your internal organs suffer to some degree – your body becomes out of balance. Your metabolism slows down and you put on extra weight. Even if you aren’t eating more. Some common symptoms of Ama are:
Feeling lethargic / Lack of energy and enthusiasm
Lack of mental clarity / Inability to focus
Food cravings / weight gain
Depression
Feeling tired after a meal
Bad breath
Constipation & flatulence
Just to name a few… but you get the idea. Take a look at your tongue when you get up first thing in the morning. Does it look clean, healthy and pink or is it coated – that would be Ama. Using a tongue scraper whenever you brush your teeth helps to remove this build-up of Ama on your tongue – but you still have to address it at the source.
You Don’t Have to Fast to do a Cleanse
The beauty of doing a simple cleanse is that you can still eat. You just have to modify your diet and eliminate snacking. Eating 3 simple meals during the day keeps your body nourished and supports the detoxification process. Do your best to eat at the same time every day. It’s important to adhere to this schedule:
Breakfast | Between 7:00AM – 8:00AM
Lunch | Between 12:00PM & 1:00PM this is your biggest meal of the day
Dinner | Best at 5:00PM – 6:00PM but absolutely no later than 7:00PM (your dinner should be light)
You can eat Khichadi for all 3 meals, which consists of Basmati Rice and Split Yellow Mung Dal. Check out this Recipe. If you prefer to mix it up… you can have oatmeal for breakfast. Best to cook Steel Cut Oats… not instant Oatmeal. Feel free to add some Cinnamon and Cardamom as well as Raisins and cooked fruit to your oatmeal.
As usual, make sure you stay hydrated. Drink room temperature water and detox teas throughout your day. Get plenty of rest and support your cleanse with any form of gentle exercise. This can be yoga, walking, tai chi etc.
Don’t Forget Your Triphala
For additional support to your digestive system, take 2 tablets of Triphala before bed. I cannot recommend this herb enough. It supports all 3 doshas, boosts immunity, aids in detoxification, improves blood circulation and is one of the best herbs for your digestive system. I take it on a regular basis. You can also take a 1/2 teaspoon in warm water but it’s pretty astringent so I like the capsules better.
Extra Nourishment
Did you know that your skin is the largest organ of your body? It works to protect you from outside elements and microbes. It is your first line of defense. Adding a daily ritual of self massage (Abhyanga) with a warm sesame oil to nourish your skin helps maintain elasticity and rejuvenates the nervous system. This is a good habit to develop even after your cleanse is finished.
5 Tips for Success
1. Prepare yourself in advance for your cleanse. At least a week before, gather all your foods, recipes, teas and herbs
2. Plan your calendar – Write your new daily routine down. Look at it every morning and stick to it.
3. Get support – Participate in a cleanse with a group or a friend. Make the commitment to someone other than just yourself.
4. Tell the people you live with or spend time with on a regular basis that you are doing a cleanse. Discourage them from surprising you with your favorite take out food.
5. Be firm but kind to yourself. A short 3-day cleanse is better than no cleanse at all.
After Your Cleanse
Introduce other foods slowly. Don’t just come off your cleanse and binge. Be aware of how your body feels as you add other foods back into your diet. The more regular your routine, the cleaner and simpler the food, the better your over all health will be.
If you’re interested in delving a little deeper, here are a few links with additional information on cleansing, recipes, herbs etc.
The Hot Belly Diet by Dr. Suhas G. Kshirsagar is a great book that outlines a complete 30-day Ayurvedic plan designed to restore optimum health | Hot Belly Diet |.
