As a dedicated physician and wellness expert with a passion for promoting healthy living, I firmly believe that regular cleanses can be beneficial for resetting our systems and alleviating the burden of dietary and environmental toxins that our bodies must process. My experiences with various cleansing methods, including a brown rice cleanse, the master cleanse, and a rigorous juice fast, have been enlightening. However, I had yet to dive into an Ayurvedic cleanse, and I was intrigued by the potential benefits and holistic approach it offered, which resonated with my understanding of health.
Selecting the Right Ayurvedic Cleanse for Optimal Health
Upon a friend’s recommendation, I decided to try John Douillard’s Colorado Cleanse. His program is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic principles and is supported by practical science throughout all phases of the cleanse. Douillard emphasizes that as humans, we are continuously exposed to harmful substances. While our bodies efficiently eliminate water-soluble toxins, the fat-soluble toxicants can become lodged in our adipose tissue, much like unwelcome guests. The 14-day cleanse is meticulously designed to remove these fat-soluble toxins through a three-phase process involving diet, hydration, and herbal supplements. The program includes a comprehensive book (not just a booklet) and optional herbs provided by his company, LifeSpa, but he also offers recipes for those who prefer to create their own herbal support.
(Note: This is NOT a sponsored post – this is simply my experience with a specific program that I selected based on a recommendation from a friend.)
Understanding the Initial Phase of an Ayurvedic Cleanse
The initial days of the cleanse proved to be unexpectedly difficult for me. As a 20-year vegetarian who typically consumes minimal dairy and processed sugar, I thought I was prepared. However, we began the cleanse right after the holiday season, a time when I had loosened my dietary discipline, particularly with margaritas and dark chocolate caramels. The sudden transition to eliminating alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and sugar (even natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup) while drastically reducing fat intake was jarring. I experienced feelings of deprivation, a common aspect of any cleanse, but the physical symptoms were surprising. As a medical professional, I prefer to understand the physiological basis behind my symptoms rather than resorting to vague explanations like “detox headache.” By the end of day two, the most logical explanation I could muster for my intense migraine was that my body, accustomed to caffeine, sugars, and some alcohol, was reacting negatively to their abrupt absence.
Delving into the Second Phase of an Ayurvedic Cleanse
The second phase of the cleanse introduced even more restrictions, which made me anxious about potential worsening symptoms; however, to my surprise, they lessened. During this stage, like the first and the third, I consumed three meals a day without snacking and only drank water (either hot or at room temperature) and herbal tea during meals. The cleanse maintained a very low-fat profile, but this mid-phase required that all fat intake come exclusively from ghee, a clarified butter, which is gradually increased each day. Initially, it felt like a delightful treat, akin to licking buttered popcorn, but by day seven, it was overwhelming. I experienced mild nausea after consuming ghee on one occasion, which resolved after eating some oatmeal for breakfast.
Phase two also highlights the importance of a dish called kitchari, a nutritious blend of mung beans, white rice, and spices. This versatile meal can be enjoyed three times a day or alternated with oatmeal at breakfast. I chose to substitute oatmeal for breakfast while enjoying kitchari for lunch and dinner. The rules in this stage aim to drive the fat (in the form of ghee) into the body to retrieve fat-soluble toxins and facilitate their elimination through digestion. Furthermore, kitchari provides a complete protein source (combining beans and rice) that is gentle on the digestive system.
Proper hydration plays a pivotal role in this Ayurvedic approach. Douillard posits, and I concur, that many individuals are chronically dehydrated, often failing to address it effectively. He recommends sipping hot water throughout the day, in addition to consuming 120 ounces of room temperature water. His analogy illustrates that pouring cold water on dry leather (representing our digestive system) causes it to bead and roll off without proper absorption. Conversely, soaking the leather in hot water allows it to become more absorbent and maintain deeper hydration. I liken this to plants: watering a parched plant often results in run-off, but pre-soaking it enables better water retention. I genuinely felt more hydrated than I have in years, and while I visited the bathroom frequently, my body was effectively holding onto water, enhancing my overall function.
Additional recommended practices during the cleanse included journaling, self-massage, yoga, and light workouts. Since I was consuming a sufficient number of calories each day, I maintained my workout routine, incorporating yoga, strength training, and cross-country skiing, experiencing only occasional lightheadedness. I did not journal as much as I intended to; the cleanse proved to be very time-consuming, but perhaps I will commit to this practice during my next attempt.
Exploring the Final Phase of an Ayurvedic Cleanse
The concluding phase resembles the initial one, reintroducing green apples, a variety of vegetables and grains, along with beets, which I surprisingly managed to enjoy for the first time in my life. It was during this final stage that I encountered some unexpected emotions. My body felt rejuvenated, but my mind was weary of the cleansing regimen (and so was my husband, who participated with me). As a busy CEO and the mother of two daughters, the meticulous planning and preparation required for each meal, along with the herbal supplements taken before and after meals, began to feel burdensome. I craved a return to a normal routine. Surprisingly, I didn’t miss caffeine, alcohol, or sugar; instead, I longed for simplicity, and the absence of it made me irritable. My friend, who had recommended the cleanse, wisely suggested that perhaps the cleanse had achieved its purpose in 12 days instead of the full 14. As someone who tends to be a control freak, I resisted this notion, viewing it as a failure. Yet, the more I reflected on it, the more it resonated with me: my body started this process in a relatively healthy state and had gleaned what it needed from the experience. Consequently, I allowed myself to transition out of the strict regimen and back into my nourishing, vegetarian diet.
Now, nearly two weeks after completing the cleanse, I reflect on the valuable lessons I’ve learned:
- Not weight loss! I shed about five pounds from my 5’7” frame, which felt like a refreshing reset, even though it wasn’t a primary goal of the cleanse.
- A profound understanding of effective hydration, along with a renewed commitment to this essential practice.
- A heightened appreciation for a touch of honey or a drizzle of maple syrup, contrasting with my previous careless use of these sweeteners.
- A deliberate slowing down at the dinner table, allowing for the acts of chewing and savoring my food instead of hastily consuming it.
- A newfound appreciation for a crisp, tart apple after meals, which has largely replaced my cravings for other sweet treats.
- A reminder that moderation is achievable and may be the healthiest habit we can strive for in our daily lives, whether it pertains to coffee, wine, exercise, or stress: a little is perfectly acceptable, while excess is not.
With love and kitchari from us to you,
