4 Natural Ways To Cleanse Your Digestive System & Colon With Ayurveda

By Dr. Puja Shah

Do you ever struggle with being irregular? Or do you find yourself dealing with bloating, indigestion, gas, or other digestive problems?

Your digestive health is an incredibly important factor in your overall health – and it affects not just the shape of your tummy, but also your energy levels, immunity, and even mental clarity.

As people become more aware of this connection, there has been an increasing level of buzz lately surrounding colon cleanses, citing the colon (or large intestine) as the final organ through which our food passes.

As a large organ – about five feet in length – the colon frames three sides of the abdominal cavity from beginning to its end at the anus.

Though it’s large, the colon is quite sensitive: and it needs to stay clean and toned so it can do its job. The large intestine absorbs water, vitamins, and ions from the food we ingest, and whatever is leftover from that process is the feces, which passes through the rectum.

In Ayurveda, the stool that we eliminate is actually a big diagnostic tool to understand digestive health.

If digestion and absorption are functioning normally, the stool is well-formed and looks like a soft, ripe (brown) banana that will float in water. In true healthy elimination, bowels should move regularly, at least once daily without any strain or use of a laxative.

If there is improper digestion, the stool may sink and can be sticky, slimy, contain undigested food particles, and smell extra bad. This is indicative of ama (toxins), within the body and digestive system.

Try these four natural Ayurvedic remedies to help support and rebalance your colon, and in turn your digestive and overall health:

1. Drink Lemon Water

In his book Perfect Digestion, Deepak Chopra writes “All you have to do is sip hot water frequently throughout the day… ama is sticky and greasy by nature. Hot water can dissolve ama from your system just as it dissolves grease from dirty dishes, and it can accomplish this gradually and comfortably.”

Simply start your morning with a glass of hot water and the juice of half a lemon. It will cleanse your digestive tract and ease bowel movements. The lemon will kindle the digestive fire (or agni) which can set you up for good digestion and metabolism for your whole day. Plus, it keeps the skin healthy and glowing.

2. Make Ginger Tea

There is an old Indian proverb that says, “Everything good is found in ginger.”

To make a cup of ginger tea, take a piece of whole, unpeeled ginger root and grate one heaping teaspoon. Stir the ginger into a cup of hot water and let steep for two minutes. Strain it or let the ginger settle at the bottom of the mug. You can add half a teaspoon of honey if you wish. During these cool weather months, sip on this tea throughout the day.

3. Take Triphala

Triphala is a combination of three fruits: terminalia chebula, terminalia bellerica, and phyllanthus emblica. This natural wonder is rich in vitamin C, bioflavonoid, and phospholipids, and contains laxatives that help in the elimination of toxins.

Triphala is recommended for people of all Doshas, and is regarded by Ayurveda as the go-to detox method. It is best known for its ability to replenish and nourish the system, while gently cleansing and detoxifying to help eliminate excess Doshas and support healthy digestion and absorption. It works gradually to rejuvenate the digestive tract, as it increases the body’s ability to nourish all vital tissues and organs. Take it daily as a tablet or in powder form.

4. Use Senna (if needed)

Another potent herb in Ayurveda is Senna, which acts as a laxative. It is a flowering plant whose pods and leaves contain anthraquinones, which are scientifically known to be powerful colon stimulants.

Senna relieves constipation and helps regulate the movement of the bowels. It also increases the peristaltic circulation of the colon. You can take it in tablet form, or in tea bags – but make sure to monitor your bowels and don’t take too much, or the laxative effect could be excessive.

All these remedies are easy to find, affordable, and can be taken at home regularly. Enjoy improving your digestive system and colon – and look out for the positive impact on your overall health!

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.

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