Cleansing the body by means of a detoxification
program or a short fast is an excellent strategy, but it does less
good if the toxins which have been dislodged are not removed from
the body.
|
Sweating is an
effective traditional way to remove all kinds of toxins. |
Many cultures have a
tradition of sweat baths, and as in fasting, I wonder how much of the rite was for physical, and how
much for spiritual, gain.
In the northern
reaches of Europe the progression of hot sweat baths, switching
(beating) the
body with branches, and then plunging into cold water, was
definitely a detoxification procedure. In the Americas, the sweat
lodges of Indian tribes were mostly for ritual ceremonies.
The end effect would have
been the same for both, however, since the benefits claimed for
sweating would have been enhanced rather than negated by the spiritual benefits.
It would have been a two for one gain!
A sweat bath is the most
natural, effective and convenient way possible to open clogged
pores and flush the body. Opening the pores allows liquids carrying
body wastes to be effectively expelled.
Some Sauna
manufacturers claim to have measured the toxin content of the sweat,
and to have found high levels of some of the more dangerous
chemicals that pollute our environment as well as heavy metals such
as lead and mercury.
Other negative substances
which are removed from the body, according to the same sources, are
excess salt, lactic acid and urea. A minor build-up of urea in
the body can lead to a host of chronic complaints, such as headaches
and nausea. A major build-up can be dangerous.
Sauna heat dilates capillaries; this increases blood
flow to the skin. The heart beats faster and impurities in
vital organs are flushed out by the flow of fluids. Finnish
and German doctors cite studies indicating sweat baths help
persons with high blood pressure and heart problems; many
American doctors, however, continue to recommend against
sweat baths for such persons.
Lungs benefit, too. Clogged respiratory passages are opened
by heat; this gives relief from colds or minor respiratory
problems. Sweat baths are not recommended for persons with
pneumonia and major respiratory problems. The heat of a
sweat bath and the often rapid cooling afterwards,
conditions the body. A well-tuned body is more resistant to
colds, disease and infection. In cold weather, a warm
glowing feeling often lingers for hours following a sweat
bath. In hot weather, the body seems cooler afterwards.
Recent Finnish tests validate the practice of splashing
water on superheated rocks as a means to produce an
abundance of negative ions. This seems especially true if
the rocks are heated by a wood fire and not electricity. Too few negative ions and
too many positive ions have been linked to heart attacks,
aggravated asthma, migraines, insomnia, rheumatism,
arthritis, hay fever and allergies.
Some major causes
of unhealthy ionic conditions are: weather disturbances,
central air conditioning, smog and driving too long in a
closed automobile.
| The Ayurvedic
cleansing ritual of Panchakarma employs sweat - SWEDANA -
as an important part of the treatment. |
Cleansing with
Steam
Ayurveda believes that simply the process of living a life which
is not perfectly designed to sustain health, will cause the
accumulation of a toxin called AMA in the body. This is defined as a
sticky substance that in effect clogs the organs and cells
throughout our system.
The stages of Panchakarma
are designed to loosen, mobilize and expel this toxin.
In summary first, the
diet is designed to begin the process, a hot oil massage follows,
and the steam treatment is the third procedure whereby Ama is moved
into the digestive tract for expulsion, and is also expelled though
the skin. Medicated oils and special herbs such as ginger root,
castor oil plant, sesame and others herbs are added for extra
efficacy and to encourage the production of sweat. The body is
relaxed, tension is released.
The therapy is said to:
- Cleanse the organs of elimination
- Increase the softness and brilliance of the skin.
- Increase digestive capacity.
- Restore appetite
- Remove lethargy
- Improve stiff joints.
It need not be too expensive to purchase a
method to do one's own sweat bath, depending on the system chosen,
but Ayurveda administers the Sudana in a number of ways, some of
which might be simple to adapt to the home setting:
- Sankara -
Application of a hot herbal bolus to a clothed or unclothed
patient.
- Prasthara
- The patient lies on a bed of leaves of Ricinus communis and
Calotropis gigantea, corn, pulse, pippali, ginger, maricha, and
ghee. Paayasa (a milk preparation) or krushara is also added.
The patient is covered with silk or wool blankets.
- Nadi -
Medicated steam is directed through a hose or tube (nadi) to the
entire body or to specific areas of the body.
- Parisheka
- Hot herbal decoction is showered over the body from a pitcher,
pot, or pipe which has many small holes in it.
- Jentaaka -
The patient enters a circular room built near a pond or small
lake which has an oven burning special herbs to heat it; similar
in some respects to an Indian "sweat lodge".
My feeling is
that for optimal health, adding a sauna experience in some form or
another is going to be a worthwhile investment.
Do not consider this therapy if you are pregnant or
have a serious medical condition. Go cautiously if you are weakened
by any imbalance. |
