The body is naturally fairly resilient and works to remove toxins on it’s own. However, the repeated exposure to poor nutrition, environmental toxins, poor exercise, and poor lifestyle choices that we experience in our society today can cause the body to struggle to rid itself of these impurities. Not only does Panchakarma aid the body and mind in removing toxins, it also helps to strengthen the immune system and restore the body back to its natural state.
Types of Toxins and Impurities
Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, a classically trained Ayurvedic physician from Pune University, identifies two impurities or toxins in Ayurveda—water-soluble and fat-soluble. While water-soluble impurities can be purged by drinking herbal teas, steam treatments, and improving urinary functions, the more toxic fat soluble impurities, including heavy metal residues, are more stubborn.
In Maharishi Ayurveda, toxins and impurities are broken down into three different categories: ama, amavisha, and garavish. Ama is the sludge-like substance that builds up in the digestive tract due to improper eating or inability to properly digest. When undealt with ama sits in any part of the body, it can mix with tissues and waste products and become the more toxic amavisha. The third type of toxins, garavish, are environmental toxins such pesticides, chemical fertilizers, processed and engineered foods and those that contain preservatives, lead, asbestos, chemicals in detergents, household supply chemicals, poisons, air and water pollution, chemicals and synthetics in clothing, and recreational drugs.
Did you know?
Even if you have a perfect diet lifestyle, toxins from our food and environment can still build up in our bodies creating imbalance and potentially illness.