Review of Ayurveda for Detox

I just watched a really cool and interesting video on GaiamTV.com featuring Dr. John Douillard, one of my favorite teachers from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. He’s an expert on Ayurveda (a traditional form of alternative medicine native to India) and was one of my teachers in Costa Rica. I always learn new gems of Ayurvedic wisdom when he teaches.

The video, Ayurveda for Detox, focused on using Ayurvedic traditions to remove toxins in order to feel healthier, happier, lighter and more able to show up for our lives with energy and strength.

According to Dr. Douillard, any of these symptoms are considered conditions related to toxins in the body:

-being overweight -having no energy, lethargic -experiencing joints aches -inflammation -skin issues -allergies -poor immune system -headaches -water retention -bloating -sinus congestion

The toxins that contribute to these conditions come from things like polluted air, toxins in the environment and processed foods. The liver, kidney and lymphatic system are constantly removing waste and toxins from our bodies. “Proper detox and understanding how nature detoxes,” Dr. Douillard says, “is critical to good health.”

The beautiful thing about Ayurveda is that it’s the study of nature. Nature provides us harvest, medicine and tools for us to properly detox in every season. In winter, we have the natural ingredients available to eat warm soups and stews because it’s cold and dry outside. In the spring, we harvest leafy greens, sprouts and berries. Nature provides these alkaline foods to detoxify the body. In the summer, we need energy foods – fresh fruits and vegetables. At the end of summer, we need to prepare for winter and detoxify the excess heat with things like apples, pears and pomegranates.