How to Detox Your Body Naturally with Ayurveda

In an era of stressful desk jobs and weekend culture permeating urban India, alcoholism has emerged as a simple escape. People love to get sloshed at social gatherings and then regret their decision the following day. It’s all fun and games until the euphoric high turns into a pounding headache, dehydration, and fatigue.

We even have a term for it - hangover.

However, hangovers are nothing compared to other adverse effects alcohol has on your health. When consumed in excess, it can deteriorate the liver and lead to toxin build-up in the body.

People who consume alcohol for recreation and in excess may suffer from alcohol-induced toxicity, characterized by poor liver function, digestive issues, slow metabolism, and sleep disorders.

That is why detoxification is critical for those who have a drinking problem.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is getting rid of free radicals (toxins) from the body by following a specific diet and exercise regime.

Alcohol consumption can impair your body's natural ability to eliminate toxins, which calls for certain lifestyle adjustments and dietary interventions. These dietary interventions may be short or long-term, depending on how the body responds.

Besides neutralizing the adverse effects of alcohol, detoxification helps with weight management and improves overall wellness.

Ayurveda's take on alcohol

Ayurveda is not oblivious to alcoholism and its ill effects. Ayurveda is the oldest medical system to recognize alcohol abuse and provide an antidote. According to archaeological studies, the first batch of alcohol was distilled some 12,000 years ago, which is most likely to have happened in India. That said, it can't be a coincidence that Ayurveda offers some of the most effective hangover cures.

Let's look at traditional detox methods and how they can help you deal with severe hangovers.

Traditional Ayurvedic Detox & How It Can Help in Dealing with Hangover

You had one too many drinks at a house party, and you woke up the next day feeling dizzy and weak, grappling with a severe headache. These symptoms occur because your body's water and mineral content declines as alcohol enters the system. The condition deteriorates from bad to worse with the rising level of free radicals circulating in the system. Here, merely drinking water may not help replenish the minerals crucial for maintaining healthy energy levels.

This is where a traditional Ayurvedic detox helps restore balance and promote overall health. Here are some of the Ayurvedic methods specifically designed for detoxification.

Panchakarma

This process of detoxification in Ayurveda comprises five procedures that help eliminate toxins from the body and restore balance among all three doshas.

• Virechana: internal cleansing by administering powders and pastes prepared from medicinal plants.
• Vamana: using herbal medicines to induce vomiting.
• Vasti: using warm medicated oils for enemas
• Rakta moksha: bloodletting by making precise incisions using surgical instruments
• Nasya: performed by using herbal oils and fumes to clear the nasal passage

Panchakarma is a sophisticated Ayurvedic cleanse that should be performed under the supervision of a certified Ayurveda practitioner. Everything from choosing the herbs to determining the duration of each procedure should be done as per your practitioner's advice.

Dietary Changes

What you eat influences how you feel health-wise. Depending on your body's natural constitution (Prakriti), you must avoid foods that lead to toxin buildup and vitiate doshas. You may also consider taking a dosha-specific diet, as it's an easy way to avoid toxin build-up..

Regardless of your predominant dosha, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, smoking, processed food, synthetic sweeteners, red meat, etc. is recommended. These foods may hamper digestion and clog the lymphatic system, causing stiffness, bloating, swollen glands, and fatigue.

Self-Massage

As relaxing as it can be, a self-massage using medicated oils is a great way to drain the lymphatic system and enhance the body's immune response. It also helps you eliminate toxins and improve tissue function.

A self-massage may also help neutralize the adverse effects of alcohol and support detoxification. When combined with other Ayurvedic body cleansing measures, a self-massage can help relieve a terrible hangover.

Checkout this complete guide to ayurvedic massages

Triphala Sparkles

Triphala Sparkles are herbal effervescent tablets by Kerala Ayurveda, formulated to aid digestion and detoxification. It is specifically helpful for gut cleansing and eliminating free radicals. It can also purge alcohol from your system and prevent prolonged hangovers or belching. Given its health benefits, it may be the best Ayurvedic medicine for .

Triphala Sparkles

Effervescent Tablets to Digest & Detox

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Drop it in a glass of water, wait until it dissolves and gulp it down. It is easy to consume and has a refreshing taste.

It is advised to take 1 tablet per day.

Ayurvedic Herbs & Medicines for Relief from a Hangover

Overconsumption of alcohol clouds your judgment and impairs your physical abilities. Your body may take up to 13 hours to overcome the psychological effects of alcohol and a couple of days to get it out of the system altogether. This downtime can affect your metabolism, immunity, and organ function.

Ayurveda acknowledges the side effects of alcohol consumption and thus recommends various herbs to get your health and energy reserves back to optimum levels.

Let's look at some of the effective detox herbs in Ayurveda:

Kalmegh

Kalmegh contains phytochemicals that help modulate liver enzymes, promote detoxification, improve hangover symptoms, and relieve alcohol toxicity.

Prepare a decoction by letting Kalmegh herbs seep into the water for a couple of hours. Strain the water and drink it to cure the hangover. Remember that it has a bitter taste; adding honey might help.

Neem

Neem is known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. However, it's one of the highly effective herbs for detoxification. Thanks to its hepatoprotective qualities, Neem can be used as a hangover remedy as much as it is suitable for dealing with alcohol toxicity, protecting your crucial organs from the adverse effects of alcohol.

Soak Neem leaves in hot water for 30 minutes.

Prepare a paste by grinding Neem leaves in a mortar and pestle.

Store it in a cool and dry place and take it with warm water when required.

Considering Neem is a bitter herb, avoid taking it immediately after alcohol, as it can induce vomiting. Wait until the 'chaos' inside your stomach has settled down.

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is a herb used for centuries to help manage hangovers and detoxify the liver. But it's not just about getting rid of toxins; Gotu kola also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, protecting your kidneys or lowering the risks of developing Alzheimer's disease! It's also a powerful emotional balancer, reducing stress levels while increasing calmness during intense moments.

Gotu Kola can be grown in the garden or mason jars. You can add some leaves to your tea, broth, or vegetable juice to cure morning hangovers and revitalize liver function.

Guggulu

Besides helping with weight and cholesterol management, taking Guggulu in the morning can pull you out of a terrible hangover from last night's heavy drinking. It's an anti-inflammatory herb with hepatoprotective qualities, which aid in liver function as well.

Guggulu can be consumed in powder form with lukewarm water. It helps replenish essential body fluids and prevent belching from excessive alcohol intake.

Amla

Amla is a rich vitamin C source, readily available at vegetable vendors or local supermarkets. Amla has excellent detoxifying and hepatoprotective qualities, which come in handy after a night of getting sloshed.

Too many drinks impair your judgment and affect your gastrointestinal system and liver function. Taking amla can help neutralize the ill effects of alcohol on your mind and body.

Love your Liver (Ayurvedic liver detox)

If you ever paid attention in your biology lecture, you would know that the liver is one of the most significant internal organs. Its primary function is to secrete bile juice, which aids digestion. However, there's more.

The liver handles various internal processes and functions, such as producing blood-clotting factors, converting sugar into glycogen, storing essential vitamins and minerals, and preventing toxins from entering the blood.

No wonder liver diseases hugely impact overall wellness and can be fatal. Therefore, loving your liver and taking care of it is essential.

Here are some foods and herbs that are good for the liver:

• Garlic
• Beetroot
• Turmeric
• Apple
• Carrot
• Leafy Vegetables
• Green Tea
• Citrus Fruits
• Walnuts

Alongside these Ayurvedic remedies for liver cleanse, you can take Heposem - a herbal formulation to protect and strengthen your liver. This Ayurvedic medicine for liver cleansing is available as a tablet and syrup at Kerala Ayurveda's online store.

Heposem Tablet

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Ayurvedic Detox at Home

Detoxification doesn't happen overnight. It takes at least a few days or a week to experience the positive effects of a detox process. Also, detox requires commitment and consistency. One must complete the entire course to realize the maximum benefits of the procedure.

Did you know you could enjoy Ayurvedic detox in the comfort of your home? If you have a long weekend, ditch your booze plans and prioritize your health. Here's how you can embark on a 3-day detox journey and feel lighter, happier, and more poised as you wake up on the 4th day.

Simplify Your Diet

The simpler your food is, the faster it gets digested. As a result, your internal organs can focus on mobilizing toxins out of the body. Examples of simple foods include sautéed vegetables, fruits, lentil soup, quinoa, dry fruits, and lots of fluids. During this time, avoiding alcoholic drinks, caffeine, fried food, smoking, canned foods, sugar, and animal-based diets is recommended.

Sweat it out

While on detox, exercise for at least 1 hour a day. Create a balanced mix of cardio and strength training to help your body eliminate toxins through sweating and deep breathing. After your body cools down, take a hot shower and massage your body using a medicated oil to promote lymphatic drainage.

Digital Detox

Turn off your electronic devices and stash them away for the next three days. Take urgent calls only and let someone in the family know that you will be unavailable for a good cause. Taking a break from your gadgets and social media will help you reflect on your life and have a meaningful conversation with yourself.

Meditation: A Necessary Distraction

As much as you'd love to feed your mind and body, it is also essential to feed your soul. Practice meditation for 30 minutes, and make it a daily habit to enjoy surreal experiences and positive effects in your life and work. Listening to a pre-recorded guided meditation can help improve focus, manage cravings, and eliminate toxins from the body.

Find a quiet corner in your home and choose when everyone else is asleep, preferably early morning before sunrise.

Key Takeaways

• Regular detox is recommended to get rid of toxins and maintain overall wellness.
• Alcohol intake can lead to toxin accumulation in the body, affecting the liver and other crucial organs. A hangover follows indulgence because of dehydration and induced toxicity.
• Ayurveda recommends specific remedies and dietary interventions to cure hangovers and negate the effects of alcohol on your body.
• Some traditional ways to deal with hangovers and alcohol-induced toxicity include panchakarma treatment, eating simple foods, drinking lots of water, and keeping your gut clean with natural laxatives.
• You can also rely on Ayurvedic medicine to remove toxins from the body.
• Taking herbs like Neem, amla, guggulu, kalmegh, and gotu kola can also help you find relief from hangovers.
• You can protect and strengthen your liver by including the following in your diet: apples, carrots, leafy vegetables, beetroot, citrus fruits, and walnuts.
• You can perform Ayurvedic detox at home by avoiding fried food, alcohol, smoking, etc. Exercise at least 1 hour a day and meditate daily to center your mind.