Ayurveda is the study of life and a system of traditional methods that focuses on the wholeness of the body, mind, and spirit. It discards the idea of assigning physical medicine for a problem in the body. Ayurveda encourages the discovery of imbalance in the forces of life or ‘doshas’ and fixing them all to get well. One of its focuses is on removing toxins from the body, and here are some herbs that help with this.
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a word derived from Sanskrit, where Ashva means a horse, and ‘gandha’ means to smell and is used to describe the strength that comes with a horse. In Ayurvedic medicine, the Ashwagandha roots are used for preparation of the herb.
Ashwagandha provides a range of health benefits by aiding the body’s natural detoxification process, primarily through stress reduction and improved liver function. As part of a comprehensive Panchakarma cleanse for full-body detox, herbs like ashwagandha play an essential role in restoring balance and promoting overall wellness.
2. Brahmi
Brahmi, Bacopa Monnieri, or the ‘Herb of Grace’ is an Ayurvedic herb that is very calming to the body. It is an antioxidant that helps in naturally detoxing the body by breaking down toxins in the liver.
3. Ginger
Ginger is commonly added to food to make it taste better, but it also has many beneficial properties that aid body detox. Ginger improves gastrointestinal movements, which makes the motion of food substances from the stomach and into the intestines much quicker and easier. Since nutrients from the food are absorbed quickly, and food does not have to linger around the digestive tract, digestion improves.
All this happens due to gingerol, an important component of ginger. Better gut health subsequently also means reduced nausea and constipation. Pregnant women eat ginger to prevent morning sickness. Because of its antioxidant properties, ginger also breaks down foreign substances in the body and prevents cell damage.
4. Cumin
Small research on 72 participants showed that cumin can cause weight loss. Cumin consumption coupled with exercise can reduce inflammation and fat deposits in the body. Cumin contains an active ingredient, Thymoquinone, which anti-oxidizes the body by attacking free radicals. It also keeps blood sugar levels down.
5. Turmeric
Tumeric is the bright yellow spice commonly used in food in houses on the subcontinent and is the herb that gives curry its unique yellow color. Turmeric has curcumin, which is its main component, and which also gives it its bright color and the characteristics that make turmeric so beneficial.
It is essentially used for its anti-inflammatory properties and is used to reduce many sorts of inflammation, such as inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels, which improves blood circulation, digestion, and absorption of nutrients. It also increases the flow of bile in the intestines and helps against bloating and the production of gas.
There are free radical molecules produced in the body because of bad eating and lifestyle habits like smoking and environmental pollution. Tumeric works against these foreign agents by breaking them down and removing them from the liver, thus detoxifying the body.
6. Triphala
3 fruits, namely, amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki are crushed and mixed in specific combinations to make a powder called Triphala churna. The powder can be consumed daily for weight loss and body detox. It makes the skin glow as it eliminates dead cells and aids bowel health as movement across the digestive tract becomes easier. Triphala increases cholecystokinin production, a hormone that indicates to the brain that the stomach is full and does not need to eat further and thus, promotes weight loss.
7. Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is a detoxifying herb that eliminates excess fluids and toxins from the body and is considered a cooling herb that supports the health of the liver.
8. Neem
Neem, a bitter tonic, cleanses the liver by maintaining bile and acid production rates. It also regulates blood sugar levels and helps in fat reduction. It purifies the body of any external tissues.
Conclusion
Ayurverda has its basis on natural practices such as using naturally occurring herbs and medicines and maintaining a balance to achieve overall wellness. The supervision of trained practitioners can further supercharge detox and promote overall well-being.
