Ayurveda Detox Diet |
Ayurvedic detox diet usually means a diet which is light and easy for the digestive system and which offers daily or seasonal routine of purification and rejuvenation to the body. This is required to maintain a strong digestive fire which is essential to digest whatever we eat. Whenever, the digestive fire is weakened, it causes improper digestion which results in production of toxins or Ama in the body. The most common symptoms of excess of ama are lethargic feeling, drowsiness and difficulty in having clarity of thoughts.
Need for Detox Diet
Ayurveda recommends to detox and overhaul from time to time so as to counterbalance and reduce the toxicity from the body. Not only does the detox diet help to cleanse your body of toxins, it naturally speeds up the body’s basic metabolism and thus helps to keep the lifestyle diseases at bay. The detox diet plan actually proves to be natural bliss. Natural detox is possible by following Ayurveda detox diet that includes nutritional supplements and herbs that complement the natural detox plan.
Ayurveda Herbs Aid in Detoxification
There are some Ayurveda herbs that can be included in the detox diet plan. These natural herbs increase the normal production of the bile, thus results to a more efficient bowel movement and elimination of toxins from the body:
◾Bishop’s weed or Ajwain is possessor of some unique anti toxic properties. Also, this herb is natural diuretic by nature. Therefore the herb of Ajawain aids greatly to expel toxins and works as a natural detox diet constituent.
◾Bitter gourd juice could help you combat toxins inside the body and it also helps eradicate intestinal worms.
◾Ginger may be included in detox diet as it is a good cleanser and purifier for the body systems.
◾The herb of mint contains anti toxic properties. It is thus amicable to include fresh mint leaves in detox diet.
◾Holy Basil is another Ayurveda herb that possesses health-giving assets and has proven anti toxic properties.
◾Fenugreek is one bitter herb that helps to detox by eliminating the channels blocking mucus and phlegm from the body.
◾The herb of turmeric, being light, rough and hot, and having pungent and bitter after-taste, is another excellent detoxing agent.
Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipes
Here are some of the Ayurvedic diet detox recipes that can be easily tried and taken up as and when there is need for giving your body a natural and light detox. Also, while you are taking up the detoxification plan as of Ayurveda Panchakarma, or after you have completed with the detoxification programs, it is viable to discuss with the Ayurvedic doctor or Vaidya about taking to these Ayurvedic Diet Cuisine recipes for detoxification.
1. Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipe: Ayurvedic Detox Tea
A detox tea taken early in the morning is the best way to start the Ayurvedic detoxification. The ingredients used in its preparation are: 4 to 5 cups of boiling water, 1-2 Tablespoons thinly sliced ginger, 1 Tablespoon thinly sliced fresh turmeric ( or ½ -1 tsp. ground turmeric), 1-2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 1-2 teaspoons cumin seeds, 1-2 teaspoons fennel seeds. All ingredients are mixed in the boiling water and stirred for 5 minutes. This strained tea is transferred in thermos-flask and is taken three to four times in a day at regular interval.
2. Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipe: Khichadi
3. Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipe: Detox Drink
The ingredients used to prepare this particular detox recipe are – Slices of cucumber, mint leaves, half sliced lemon and half sliced mausami or orange, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, saindhav lavana or the rock salt and Black pepper powder and cold water. Mildly blend all the ingredients together and add the freshly extracted juice of orange fruit and lemon. This detox drink may be taken throughout the day.
4. Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipe: Beetroot and Toasted Sesame Seed Salad
Take Beetroot – 1 ½ cups, 2 tbsp. Sesame seeds, 2 tsp. Mustard seeds, 2 tsp. Fresh chilies, 1 tbsp. chopped ginger, 2 tsp. Lemon juice, ¼ cup Chopped tomatoes, Salt to taste, 1 tsp. chopped coriander leaves. Beetroot is boiled, peeled and sliced. Sesame seeds are toasted in hot, dry pan till golden. Mustard seeds are soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and coarsely grinded along with green chilies. To this blend, beetroot with ginger, lemon juice, chopped tomatoes and salt are added. Finally sesame seeds and coriander leaves are sprinkled and mixed well to serve.
5. Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipe: Mung Bean Soup Recipe
The ingredients used for preparing this detox recipe are – Mung beans, 2 litres water, ½ tsp. turmeric powder, 2 pinch asafoetida / Hing, Lime juice, 2/3 tsps. of fresh root ginger, 2-3 cloves garlic, ½ onion, Ghee/olive oil, 1 tsp. each of cumin seeds and coriander, rock salt/ herb salt. Overnight soaked mung beans are thoroughly washed. In a pan hing, turmeric powder is sauté & cooked with the soaked beans, water and ginger. This is boiled till the beans are soft and broken up. In an another pan cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, black pepper, black cumin seeds etc. and other herbs are sautéed with oil for few minutes. Little spices and salt are added to taste. Pour the boiled mung beans to this and cook for a while. Serve warm soup garnished with some lemon juice and finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.
Some Precautions for Ayurveda Detox Diet Recipes
During the detoxification regime which generally inculcates the detox diet plans and recipes, care is needed to keep yourself light, flexible and rejuvenated.
•The diet intake needs to be light, warm and nourishing.
•Everyday diet may include organic green, leafy vegetables and seasonal fruits, soups and fewer amounts of grains like barley, wheat and rice. Checkout the video – Essential Ayurveda Diet Tips here.
•Vegetable juices like cabbage, carrot, beetroot with lemon drops make excellent choice.
•Good amount of water intake would help in flushing out toxin via urination.
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.