In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores Ayurvedic cleansing and the importance of balancing purification with rebuilding the organism.

It is important for us to cleanse ourselves regularly because many of us live in urban environments where we are exposed to many different toxins every day, whether we are aware of it or not. In addition, unless our digestive fire is extremely strong, we are constantly creating some internally produced toxins that also need to be removed from the organism.

The first thing to remember about cleansing is that whatever amount of time you dedicate to cleansing, you should dedicate the same amount of time to rebuilding and restoring balance. This is important because many people become so focused on removing things from the body that they forget the equally important process of nourishing and strengthening the organism afterward. There must always be balance between cleansing and rebuilding.

The second thing to remember is that it is much better not to allow large amounts of toxins to accumulate and then wait for one dramatic period of cleansing. Cleansing should be part of your regular daily life. This means limiting the amount of food and other sensory impressions you take in, and limiting the time period during which you are taking them in.

Allow enough time before sleep after you have finished eating. Allow enough time after waking before you begin eating, using screens, or taking in other forms of stimulation. When possible and appropriate, it is beneficial to have a day of fasting once a week or once every two weeks. Fasting means reducing what you take in, or taking in very little, so that the body has the opportunity to direct its energy toward removing what it needs to remove.

Periodically, usually once a year when the opportunity is available, it is beneficial to perform a deeper cleansing known in Ayurveda as Panchakarma. Although Panchakarma is a word that has become widely known, the more fundamental Ayurvedic term is Shodhana, which means cleansing, specifically active cleansing.

Shodhana does not mean that you immediately take something to make yourself vomit, purge, or perform an enema without preparation. As with any important action in life, purification should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It should begin with preparation, followed by the actual cleansing process, and then a period of recovery in which you restore balance and rebuild the organism.

Cleansing always removes material from the body. If you cleanse too much without rebuilding afterward, Vata will increase. If you attempt cleansing without preparing the body properly, Vata will also increase. Do not increase Vata. Most people already have more Vata than they realize, and whatever amount you think is present, there is often more beneath the surface.

Whenever possible, it is valuable to take three weeks away from ordinary activities and spend that time in a calm, quiet, and safe environment. This allows you to perform deeper cleansing, experience the benefits of purification, and then properly rebuild the organism afterward.

This is the purpose of Panchakarma: not simply to remove things from the body, but to create a healthier balance that can continue to benefit you over time.