Intestinal Cleansing in Ayurveda: Know More!

Our intestines do a great job every day, so a healthy intestinal flora is essential for the entire organism. To eliminate harmful bacteria and Co., occasional cleaning of the intestine is highly recommended. You can determine why such an intestinal detox is necessary and how you can perform an Ayurvedic intestinal cleansing at home.

Why is intestinal cleansing useful?

Our intestines control a full 80 percent of the immune system. Conversely, this means that if the intestine is not doing well, this sooner or later manifests itself in a physical reaction. This is possible:

• Headaches
• Tiredness and poor sleep
• Digestive problems
• Gastritis
• Skin impurities or diseases
• Cardiovascular problems

Intestinal issues can cause even anxiety and depression. The cause of these problems is then mainly on the inner wall of the colon. Bacteria or metabolic residues, also called ama in Ayurveda, can accumulate in its curvatures and bulges. The more these “blockages” accumulate, the more difficult it becomes for the intestine to keep your organism healthy.

But even if you do not feel any acute health problems, intestinal detoxification is certainly not pointless. Because intestinal cleansing and intestinal rehabilitation enable the intestinal wall to regenerate, you will see: After the intestine’s completed cleansing, you will feel much lighter and have more energy again. No wonder – after all, the Agni, your digestive fire, can now perform its services also undisturbed!

By the way, it is essential to distinguish between the terms intestinal cleansing and intestinal rehabilitation. Intestinal cleansing means a relatively short-term process that you can carry out at home with few resources. The aim is to detoxify the large intestine since the small intestine can cleanse itself relatively quickly.

On the other hand, with intestinal cleansing, you use several different measures in combination and follow a course of treatment that can last several weeks or even months. This may be necessary if the bowel is significantly weakened and the symptoms are noticeable. However, we want to assume that you want to do something good for your digestive organs and therefore carry out an intestinal cleansing.

Instructions: Ayurveda Colon Cleansing at Home

There are several ways in which Ayurveda can help to cleanse the intestines. One of them is the classical Ayurveda fasting cure. Here you go as far as possible without solid food so that the intestine must do as little work as possible and can regenerate better.

The second possibility is a functional intestinal cleansing cure, called Shankprakshalana in Ayurveda. Ideally, you will have the guidance of an Ayurveda expert, but you can just as well be active alone at home.

Intestinal Detoxification: The cure with Yoga and Massages

The Ayurveda intestinal detoxification treatment consists essentially of two elements: Yoga and water with Epsom salts. You take it in turns to drink a glass of salty water and do a series of yoga exercises that stimulate digestion.

This works with all asanas in which you rotate your body’s center.

An example is the following exercise:

• Sit cross-legged with your back upright.
• Place your hands loosely on your knees and arrive in the pose.
• Now bring your left hand’s fingertips to the floor slightly behind your body and place your right hand on your left knee.
• Now turn to the left so that you can look back over your left shoulder.
• Stay in this position briefly and repeat the movement on the other side.

If you alternate between drinking some of the Bittersalt water and doing the asanas, the salty liquid can run entirely through the intestines. Always go to the toilet after an exercise cycle and repeat these procedures as often as you feel comfortable with them.

You can also stimulate the digestive tract by massaging the abdominal area. This tactic works best if you use it for about 10 minutes each morning and evening. Lie on your back and bend your knees slightly so that your stomach can be completely relaxed. Now you can massage with the fingers of one hand and with light pressure clockwise around the navel.

Cleansing the intestines through proper nutrition

In addition to the acting exercises you can use to detoxify the bowel, nutrition naturally plays a significant role in cleaning the colon. Make sure that you eat as alkaline as possible and eat lots of vegetables and legumes. Alkalizing foods are, for example:

• Apples
• Pears
• Arugula
• Endive salad
• Broccoli
• Almonds
• Mushrooms
• Vegetable juices
• Green Tea
• Amalaki

In general, bitter substances are a wise choice for intestinal cleansing. Especially bitter vegetables can be combined to your heart’s content! It would help if you also took the spice Triphala every evening by dissolving one teaspoon of the powder in a cup of warm water before going to bed and drinking the mixture slowly. Triphala causes toxins to be expelled from the gastrointestinal tract, thus helping you to cleanse your bowels. If you prefer to take Triphala as a food supplement, we recommend the Triphala herbal capsules from our online store.

You can drink a glass of warm water with some lemon juice, honey, and ginger immediately after getting up in the morning. The combination of these ingredients stimulates the metabolism. By the way: Even in the long run, your intestines will be happy if you get used to this ritual every day!

Psyllium Husks and Epsom Salts as a Laxative

They are the undisputed leaders when it comes to intestinal cleansing: psyllium husks and Epsom salts may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are very effective in cleaning the intestines.

Intestinal cleansing with psyllium

Ground psyllium husks contain many digestive substances. Absorbed with water, they swell in the intestine and soften deposits on the intestinal wall. They also cause the volume of the chewed food to increase. This stimulates intestinal activity, and the stakes can be excreted more quickly.

A maximum of 40g of psyllium should be consumed per day. It is best to drink the mixture one hour before or two hours after a meal.

Pour a small amount of the psyllium husk powder over the water and drink the glass empty as soon as possible.

Even though Ayurveda generally applies to eating and drinking consciously and slowly, the psyllium swells quickly and becomes difficult to swallow.

Intestinal cleansing with Epsom salt or Glauber’s salt

Epsom salts bind water in the intestine so that the stool becomes softer, and the volume of the intestinal contents is increased. In this case, the intestine activity is also stimulated; the effect sets in after about 1-3 hours.

There is no universal indication of how much Epsom salts you should take in – try it out, whether you need one tablespoon or a little more. Dissolve the Epsom salts in a glass of warm water and drink the mixture. It is best to drink plenty of still water or unsweetened herbal tea immediately afterward, as the salt will remove moisture from your body.

Intestinal cleansing with Glauber’s salt works similarly to Epsom salts. The magnesium sulfate can be dissolved with up to four teaspoons in lukewarm water. After everything has dissolved, the mixture can be drunk slowly and in sips.

Intestinal Cleansing with Healing Earth and Castor oil

Cleansing the intestines with the help of the mineral-rich healing clay is a process that also comes from Ayurveda. Three times a day, one teaspoon of healing clay can be dissolved in lukewarm water and drunk throughout the day. Castor oil is also known in this country for its laxative effect. You should make sure that you do not take more than two tablespoons.

Side effects: Initial worsening possible?

Intestinal cleansing of any kind always means a certain amount of adjustment for your body. Accordingly, it can lead to so-called detoxification crises. The emphasis is on the can – it is just as likely that you will not notice any significant side effects. Possible side effects are primary:

• Headaches and lack of energy
• Skin impurities
• Constipation
• Halitosis
• Increased Sweat Formation

However, it is almost impossible to predict specific side effects for a detoxification pathway. After all, every person has different physical requirements. As is generally the case in Ayurveda, this also applies to intestinal cleansing: Your body reacts in its very own way, precisely because it is a unique system.

What is important when cleaning the bowel?

First things first: It is best to take plenty of time to cleanse your bowels. First of all, it can take hours or days until the intestine activity becomes noticeable, and secondly, you may have less energy during this phase and need more rest.

It is also essential that you drink a lot so that the bowel deposits are flushed out, and you keep enough fluid in your body at the same time. Ideally, 2-3 liters of warm water per day or more is ideal, for example, if you are doing the intestinal cleansing with Epsom salts.

The third major factor is nutrition. Light food is the best digestible and, therefore, particularly suitable for intestinal cleansing. It puts the least strain on the intestine. You can also support the digestion of food with gentle forms of exercise such as asanas from Hatha Yoga or abdominal massages.

Ideally, intestinal detoxification is part of a holistic lifestyle. This means that you orientate your diet and exercise according to what is right for your body and mind. It also means continuing to pay attention to these two aspects after the cleansing cure, such as regularly having a day of fasting. You see: An intestinal cleansing does not have to be elaborate and can still have a significant effect!

Daily planning for an intestinal cleansing in Ayurveda

Intestinal cleansing should be performed on a day when you can take time for yourself and are not exposed to any additional stress. Already the day before, you should avoid a heavy meal, and from the afternoon on, you should only eat soup.

Recommended time of day Our recommendation

Recommended time of day	Our Recommendation
7:00 a.m.	Slowly drink a large glass of lukewarm water with lemon juice, honey and ginger in sips.
7:15 a.m.	Asanas: Start of the first and light yoga exercises as described above.
7:30 a.m.	Drink a second large glass of lukewarm water with salt.
07:45 a.m.	Do more light yoga exercises.
8:00 a.m.	Have a third glass of Epsom salts.
9:00 a.m.	Abdominal massage for about 10 minutes; use plenty of massage oil! The Kapha massage oil is suitable, for example, for a soothing and revitalizing massage.
9:15 a.m.	Time for an Ayurveda breakfast : a light yogurt with apples, pears and a little almonds is particularly suitable.
10:00 a.m	Repeat the drinking regimen and yoga exercises (drinking, yoga, drinking, yoga, drinking) for the next hour.
11:00 a.m.	Now you should relax and rest a little before lunch.
12:00 noon	For an Ayurvedic colon cleansing, a suitable lunch from the Ayurvedic cuisine should be freshly prepared.
01:00 p.m.	Take a digestive walk after eating!
02:00 p.m.	Do another colon cleanse with psyllium or Epsom salts.
03:00 p.m.	Fresh fruit and freshly squeezed juice and nuts are now suitable for those who are hungry.
4:00 p.m.	Drink a cup of ginger water or lukewarm ginger tea.
6:00 p.m.	Prepare an easily digestible dinner, ideally a light soup.
9:00 p.m.	End the day with yoga and meditation and massage your feet with plenty of oil for about 10 minutes. Choose the right technique for your Dosha for relaxed mediation !
10:00 p.m.	Before you go to sleep you can repeat the 10-minute abdominal massage from the morning.

Necessary: Between the individual program points, you should avoid any stress! We wish you much success in performing the intestinal cleansing.