Learned that team for Panchkarma, an Ayurvedic treatment is in the town and they provide various therapy on shift basis and also offer few packages. Virechana is one of the treatments they provide for detoxification. 'Pitta' a terminology for toxins, has been my problem for long. Been struggling and trying to get out of it, and found some little success, sometimes. So, consulted Vaidji, and he explained that its a 7 days detoxification package and closes off with consumption of Hebal Ghee and finally excretion out of toxins from body. I wished to take a try. Was not sure how will it work and affect on me, but had made up my mind to do it once I am back in town after a short travel tour.
A check up by Vaidji before and advised to go on for Moog Dal khichadi and steamed/boiled vegetables only for diet, pre and during Virechana and can have a little ghee on khichadi, which is permitted. Dairy products, pickles, vinegar, citrus, fried, non veg, alcohol, smoking, tea, coffee, sweets, yeast, fermented food all strictly prohibited. Got a printed list of do's and don'ts, which constituted mainly of don'ts. Some critical advises were to use only warm water for drinking and bath, early morning wake up, early sleep, no rigorous physical activity, no sleep in day, keep the body covered, avoid sun, wind, rain, smoke and dust. Avoid computers, light, music, TV, mobile. Two days prior to Virechana & Snehapana have to use Chitrakadi which induces 'Agni' meaning digestive juices. Now to start my much awaited Virechana after two days early in morning before 8:00 AM and to arrive empty stomach and after warm water bath.
I tried to stay in home, covered by body using socks and track suit, went on for moong dal and moong khichadi in every meal, using warm water, and with a little difficulty tried not to use fan and tried to sleep before 10:00PM. A little anxiety, a little fear, some excitement and sense of adventure, such mixed feelings were on with a wait for start. Started to find on various internet sites and tried to find about this therapy. Finally went to sleep with alarms set for early morning wake up.
Got up at 5:00 on the Sunday morning, hot water bath,cleaning, in track suit, with traffic roads, drove to the centre. Got relaxed and seated. Mantra uchharan by instructor. Then had the drink in a steel cup. Seems like 30 ml. Could smell herbals and ghee. Accompanied by a glass of warm water. Feeling was in mind that the drink must be bitter bitter. Got the courage to pick up the and with confidence now. It came down easily trough the tongue. Easy and smooth and warm. Just at the deeper portion of tongue some mild bitterness. Not so good taste and not extremely bad also. The bitterness was not like alcohol, not like choco, not like coffee, but more like herbal. The instructor advised me that I can use the warm water also. So one sip of herbal ghee and one sip of warm water. It all went in easy in one and a half minute. That was all for the day. Important advise from instructor, not to eat till the urge comes for hunger.
Reached home, tried to settle down, felt no hunger, and feeling sleepy, but was instructed not to sleep in day. To pass the time, cant watch TV, no music, no computer, no mobile, no gossips, no balcony, no bird watching as all these were in the list of donts for some reason. Weakness i could feel in body. Followed by series of loose motions to make it worse. Felt hunger at about 4:30 pm and went for moong dhuli khichadi. Loosing patience till the evening and felt a bit restless. anyways time for early dinner with boiled vegetables and khichadi and early sleep by my standards at 10:00 pm
Day 2 again wake up early, got to the instructor, waited for him. The herbal ghee quantity has been increased today. Its easy to gulp the mixture, slowly its inside and back to home before the start of morning traffic for office goers. Weakness increased a bit more, inside its becoming lighter. Food is always khichadi and boiled vegetables. Day passed by a bit easier, but seemed to be long as there were no activities. Slept early to look for new day.
Day 3, same as repeat of previous day. The herbal ghee has increased, now to full cup, all rest the same as earlier days only the weakness was increasing.
Day 4, 5 & 6. The herbal ghee intake was complete, now for three days it was the time for Herbal oil massage. The herbal ghee absorption from stomach & intestine was scheduled for first three days and now its time to get the intake of herbal ghee externally from the skin. Full body massage followed by steam therapy.
Day 7, Virechna day, the final day and most important activity day. Had to stay longer today. With empty stomach intake of herbals was given. It started loose motions within an hour & frequently continued for several hours. once the instructor was satisfied, It was stopped with intake of coconut water. Was relieved and and got back home, had several more coconut water.
The first observation was, the skin texture, color has changed, the tanning gone. Was feeling weak for a moment but much more than that was the feeling so light, so free and breathing was light. Everything seemed to be on a rhythm, inside and outside. The complete pattern has been changed and looked all is organised.
Had to be on a lighter meal for next three days, low spices, to ignite the digestive agni. Its been a wonderful feeling. Much much more worth, giving 7-10 days for panchkarma cleansing, helps and brings back youth, fun and energy in life. Very very rejuvenating.
A check up by Vaidji before and advised to go on for Moog Dal khichadi and steamed/boiled vegetables only for diet, pre and during Virechana and can have a little ghee on khichadi, which is permitted. Dairy products, pickles, vinegar, citrus, fried, non veg, alcohol, smoking, tea, coffee, sweets, yeast, fermented food all strictly prohibited. Got a printed list of do's and don'ts, which constituted mainly of don'ts. Some critical advises were to use only warm water for drinking and bath, early morning wake up, early sleep, no rigorous physical activity, no sleep in day, keep the body covered, avoid sun, wind, rain, smoke and dust. Avoid computers, light, music, TV, mobile. Two days prior to Virechana & Snehapana have to use Chitrakadi which induces 'Agni' meaning digestive juices. Now to start my much awaited Virechana after two days early in morning before 8:00 AM and to arrive empty stomach and after warm water bath.
I tried to stay in home, covered by body using socks and track suit, went on for moong dal and moong khichadi in every meal, using warm water, and with a little difficulty tried not to use fan and tried to sleep before 10:00PM. A little anxiety, a little fear, some excitement and sense of adventure, such mixed feelings were on with a wait for start. Started to find on various internet sites and tried to find about this therapy. Finally went to sleep with alarms set for early morning wake up.
Got up at 5:00 on the Sunday morning, hot water bath,cleaning, in track suit, with traffic roads, drove to the centre. Got relaxed and seated. Mantra uchharan by instructor. Then had the drink in a steel cup. Seems like 30 ml. Could smell herbals and ghee. Accompanied by a glass of warm water. Feeling was in mind that the drink must be bitter bitter. Got the courage to pick up the and with confidence now. It came down easily trough the tongue. Easy and smooth and warm. Just at the deeper portion of tongue some mild bitterness. Not so good taste and not extremely bad also. The bitterness was not like alcohol, not like choco, not like coffee, but more like herbal. The instructor advised me that I can use the warm water also. So one sip of herbal ghee and one sip of warm water. It all went in easy in one and a half minute. That was all for the day. Important advise from instructor, not to eat till the urge comes for hunger.
Reached home, tried to settle down, felt no hunger, and feeling sleepy, but was instructed not to sleep in day. To pass the time, cant watch TV, no music, no computer, no mobile, no gossips, no balcony, no bird watching as all these were in the list of donts for some reason. Weakness i could feel in body. Followed by series of loose motions to make it worse. Felt hunger at about 4:30 pm and went for moong dhuli khichadi. Loosing patience till the evening and felt a bit restless. anyways time for early dinner with boiled vegetables and khichadi and early sleep by my standards at 10:00 pm
Day 2 again wake up early, got to the instructor, waited for him. The herbal ghee quantity has been increased today. Its easy to gulp the mixture, slowly its inside and back to home before the start of morning traffic for office goers. Weakness increased a bit more, inside its becoming lighter. Food is always khichadi and boiled vegetables. Day passed by a bit easier, but seemed to be long as there were no activities. Slept early to look for new day.
Day 3, same as repeat of previous day. The herbal ghee has increased, now to full cup, all rest the same as earlier days only the weakness was increasing.
Day 4, 5 & 6. The herbal ghee intake was complete, now for three days it was the time for Herbal oil massage. The herbal ghee absorption from stomach & intestine was scheduled for first three days and now its time to get the intake of herbal ghee externally from the skin. Full body massage followed by steam therapy.
Day 7, Virechna day, the final day and most important activity day. Had to stay longer today. With empty stomach intake of herbals was given. It started loose motions within an hour & frequently continued for several hours. once the instructor was satisfied, It was stopped with intake of coconut water. Was relieved and and got back home, had several more coconut water.
The first observation was, the skin texture, color has changed, the tanning gone. Was feeling weak for a moment but much more than that was the feeling so light, so free and breathing was light. Everything seemed to be on a rhythm, inside and outside. The complete pattern has been changed and looked all is organised.
Had to be on a lighter meal for next three days, low spices, to ignite the digestive agni. Its been a wonderful feeling. Much much more worth, giving 7-10 days for panchkarma cleansing, helps and brings back youth, fun and energy in life. Very very rejuvenating.
