This is a natural cleaning method for the intestinal tract. It has its origins in the Ayurvedic tradition. It removes and expels all debris and sediment from the intestines and helps to eliminate the accumulated toxins.
Small and large intestines absorb all the needed nutrients for our tissues. When there is a more or less prolonged constipation, intestinal jams produce toxins and gases. Those are absorbed into the bloodstream and to all the body tissues and organs, affecting their proper function. Constipations also alter pH values and affect our intestinal flora, giving cause for pathogens to install in our conducts and thus in our blood system.
Bowel cleansing reactivates a proper absorption of nutrients, prevents digestive diseases, and enhances the functionality of body tissues. This technique is also a general tonic for the body. Among its effects, felt during the next two to three days after the cleaning, are: improved sleep, disappearance of rashes from the body and face, fresher breath, reduction of body odour, rejuvenation of the skin (that becomes brighter and softer), increase of eyes brightness, etc. It also stimulates the liver and the digestive system´s related glands, especially the pancreas. It helps to rebalance the body weight making thin people to gain some weight and stout people to lose it.
These effects will continue if the person adopts a healthy and balanced diet after the cleaning.
Best moment to undertake a lavage
During the year, the ideal moment for a cleaning is in the change of seasons, although it is not harmful to do it once a month or every two months. Best time of the day is in the morning, and on an empty stomach. It is advisable that, on the chosen day, we have no duties, as you must devote to the lavage unhurried and calmly.
The week prior to the cleaning, we must prepare the intestine reducing or eliminating difficult to digest food, such as precooked, refined, dairy foods, meat and fish, as well as alcohol and cigarettes. They must be progressively replaced with more vegetables and fruits. It is important at this time to remove any heavy meals. Once the cleaning is done, we must follow this meal plan at least for a week.
Technique
Prepare 3 litters of salt water.
Warm sea water (Ratio: 1 saltwater part / 3 of freshwater) or prepare salt water in proportions, dissolving a sea salt tablespoon (about 6 grams) per litre of fresh water.
Realization
Perform the cleaning with salt water may take between one and three hours.
Water must be tibia or slightly warm.
Drink two glasses of salt water.
Perform the four movements detailed below.
Drink two glasses of water.
Perform another cycle of four movements again.
Repeat another series, completing the intake of six glasses of salt water and having performed three sets of movements.
Now you must empty your bowels.
Conduct an intestinal self-massage sitting on the toilet.
Cleaning must be taken until the rectal effluent is clear. Any person making its first bowel cleansing should previously practice the water driving motions listed below.
The first bowel movement is usually immediate. Then made a massage of relaxed abdomen and slightly press the painful points to facilitate the evacuation. Also, a box or similar can be used by placing it underfoot, so legs are bent and do some more pressure on the belly.
Follow the anatomical drawing to check the approximate location of the intestines. First, massage the small intestine and then the large one, clockwise, in order to direct the faecal route towards the rectum.
Defecation begins with formed faeces that progressively become softer until they become a yellow liquid. As soon as the first defecation appears, the rest will follow automatically. If defecation does not occur within five minutes, you have to repeat the exercises for 15 minutes more, but do not drink more water. If, again, there are no results, make an enema with a pint of plain water to “activate the siphon”. If still evacuation does not occur, it is advisable to consider interrupting the process and the subsequent realization of a colonic lavage, as per the obvious internal obstruction.
From the first evacuation on, follow the complete cycle: water intake, movements, and toilet.
Consider the cleaning finished when the rectal effluent is clean. This may require several cycles. When finished, stop taking water and stay near a toilet for at least one more hour, as it is normal to evacuate at least a couple of times more. After the technique is finished it is necessary to rest and avoid cold.
Possible causes of failure
In relation to the small problems that may occur while performing the lavage, we must include irritation of the anus, which can be solved with a soft cleaning and the application of olive oil.
If you notice your stomach is full at the end of the cleaning, it means that there is still water inside. To eliminate it, we must repeat the first movement: the removing of water opening the pylorus. If the feeling of fullness is in the lower part of the stomach, we must stop the water intake, repeat the exercises and return to the toilet. Once the normality is recovered, we can continue with the method. After two or three bowel movements, the water will only be muddy, with variations in its colour. This indicates that the cleaning process is correct and should be continued until the water comes clear.
If after completing the first cycle you perceive that the content of the stomach does not reach the intestine (causing overload and nausea), it means that the upper intestine does not open as it should. It can be an accumulation of gases what prevents the normal opening of the siphon. You need to press the abdomen firmly with both hands, making an abdominal massage.
If water does not leave the stomach, we can choose between two solutions:
– Make Vamana Dhauti or, in other words, emptying the contents of the stomach through the emetic reflex. You must tickle the base of the tongue with the help of three fingers.
– Do nothing, and in this case the water is usually eliminated as urine.
Once the cleaning is finished
We must make a meal half an hour after the cleaning, maximum one hour after; we must not let the stomach empty for more than one hour. We can start with one or more pieces of fruit, chewing them properly, to override the feeling of dehydration (strawberries, apples, pears). Do not eat bananas as they are slow-digestion fruits.
Then eat some cereal like rice. It must be very well boiled, (no whole-grain, and without shell to avoid irritating the intestinal mucosa) so grains melt in the mouth for an easier digestion. We can accompany it by well boiled carrots or pumpkin, and barley or quinoa. It is convenient to add extra virgin olive oil to lubricate the intestinal walls or a few teaspoons of clarified butter.
Do not drink any liquids until you have made the first meal, otherwise the “siphoning” would continue and we could not stop evacuations.
After this initial food, it is advisable to take herbal medicinal infusions at least twice a day during a week to supplement the complete purification of the organism (dandelion, horsetail, chamomile, anise, nettle, etc.).
In the following meals, at least during two days, you should not eat any acidic beverage or food (yogurt, milk, soda, white sugar) nor spicy (sauces, garlic, spices), nor stimulants (coffee, tea, chocolate). Simply consume neutral and alkaline foods, well boiled and well chewed. Vegetables, ripe fruits, and foods of easy digestion and assimilation that do not irritate the stomach we have just cleaned.
It is also advised to rest (avoid getting cold) and relax using soothing music, try not to load your mind with readings.
After performing this purifying process, the person will instinctively choose food more carefully, due to the sense of awareness and the feeling of purity after the cleaning. It’s like having a new intestine; and there is no bloating, discomfort or gases, but an inner sense of peace and wellbeing, which is transmitted to the rest of the body.
Contraindications
Contraindications are few but you must refrain from practicing the cleaning if suffering from stomach ulcer in its acute stage, or from one of the following conditions: dysentery, acute colitis, diarrhea and acute appendicitis. Do not undertake a cleaning in a febrile or body weakness state.
Adapted text. I perfect my Yoga. André Van Lysebeth. Ed. Urano
