Ayurveda is the world’s oldest healing system, having been practiced in India for over 5,000 years. It is called “mother of all sciences” and defines health as a balance of body, mind and spirit. One way to maintain this balance is to embark on a detox program—preferably seasonally, as seasonal changes cause a burden on the body and detoxing assists in cleansing and adjusting to those changes.

The cornerstone of an Ayurvedic detoxification program is a treatment called Panchakarma. The process involves five therapies which loosen deep-seated toxins and move them from the tissues to the lymph system so that they can be excreted from the body, either through the skin, urine or feces. As toxins are fat soluble, oils are used to help loosen them.

The five therapies are: Abhyanga (full-body oil massage), Shirodhara (oil drip on the pineal gland or third eye to balance hormones), Nasya (nasal oil drip), Swedana (herbal steam with ozone) and Basti (oil and herb enema). Swedana will be highlighted here.

Swedana takes place after the full-body oil treatment. The objective is to remove the toxins from the body through sweating, after the oil treatment has dislodged them. Swedana is administered when the patient is seated in a steam chamber, with their head exposed, and includes the pumping in of ozone as an added detoxifier, along with medicinal herbs specific to the patient’s condition.

Pathogens cannot survive at high temperatures or in the presence of ozone, and the combination of the two provides an accelerated detox. Ozone, in particular, has multiple mechanisms of action that stimulate detoxification and provide healing.

Ozone is one of the most powerful healing therapies. It reduces inflammation by mobilizing the body’s antioxidant defense mechanism and immobilizing free radicals that are usually causing damage to our bodies.

We know that an adequate amount of oxygen is critical for all bodily functions. Without that amount, the body does not function at its optimal level and becomes vulnerable to pathogens and illness.

Ozone is very effective in the destruction of all pathogens. It kills bacteria by interfering with the bacterium cell metabolism and it destroys viruses by diffusing through the protein coat, causing viral RNA damage. At a specific concentration and duration of use, it is estimated that ozone kills 99.99 percent of lipid viruses and bacteria.

By activating cytokines, the immune related messenger molecules, ozone is a potent immune system regulator. The balancing of overactive or underactive immune systems can be helpful in addressing all chronic or acute infections.

During a Swedana treatment, the steam opens the skin pores and the ozone seeps through to reach the fat, lymph and blood cells, thereby allowing toxins to be released. The body is detoxed and oxygenated at the same time.

In addition, ozone increases the amount of oxygen in our red blood cells thereby increasing our energy level. And, by repairing and rejuvenating the body at the cellular level, ozone is one of the most powerful anti-aging therapies.

Swedana, with ozone, increases circulation, reduces inflammation, relaxes muscles, rejuvenates tissues, relieves stress and improves digestion and mobility. Since toxins are stored in fat tissue, their removal results in the loss of fat as well. Swedana can be used individually in the treatment of many chronic conditions or in combination with the other components of Panchakarma for a fully effective detoxification program.

It is important to undertake a detox program with a practitioner who has experience with the process. Just as self-medicating has pitfalls, so too does detoxing. While detoxing on one’s own may be tempting, it may result in an adverse reaction if done too quickly, with incorrect components or without attention to supporting the organs of excretion (liver and kidneys). And, as each one of us is a unique individual, a regimen that works for one person may not work for another.

With Ayurveda, the whole person is taken into account and a regimen is prepared particularly for that person’s unique and individual constitution, with progress monitored throughout. Ayurveda treats the body, mind and spirit to achieve balance, harmony and total health. Complete, overall wellness is the goal.

Dr. Neeru N. Kaushik, ND, MA, MS, MSAc, is the Director of the Institute for Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Therapies, located in Fairfield, which uses ozone with steam as part of the Swedana treatment of Panchakarma. Diet, supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathy, lifestyle counseling and more may also be included in a detoxing regimen and treatment plan. Connect at 203-331-9111, [email protected] or AyurvedicInstituteCT.com. See ad, page 16.