Search Body Detox

Ayurvedic Medicine: A Dose of Commone Sense

Step #1: Therapeutic Purgatives

Start with therapeutic purgatives. I like Perfect 7, a psyllium-based powder carried by most health-food stores or from the manufacturer (AGAPE Health Products, 714/229-8866). You can take this 3–4 times a week. I mix two teaspoons of Perfect 7 with half a teaspoon of triphala, two ounces of aloe vera gel solution, and eight ounces of water, which I take at bedtime every other day. CAUTION: If you have a fever, severe constipation, diarrhea, or profound weakness, you should consult with your doctor before using a purgative.

Step #2: Diet

Diet is the second and perhaps most important component of your detox program. For three to seven days, eat nothing but basmati rice mixed with ghee, a very delicious and healthy form of butter. You'll think you died and went to heaven with this dish! If you wish, you can mix lentils or mung beans with the rice. The rice, lentils, and beans can be purchased at health food stores or Indian food stores.

You also may eat unlimited cooked vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. Cooked vegetables require less energy to digest. So until you clear your bowel, I urge you not to eat raw vegetables. While they have more enzymes than cooked vegetables, they also put more stress on the gastrointestinal tract.

Lastly, you may drink unlimited herbal teas (regular tea is okay as long as you have it only once a day) and fruit juice (pomegranate, grape, or apple) during this cleansing time. If you must have coffee, limit yourself to one cup a day.

1 2 3