How to prepare for detox
Prior to the ghee drinking days, it is important to prepare the body for the consumption and proper digestion of ghee. This means that we have to strengthen the body's agni (digestive fire) and adopt certain routines to take advantage of the body's natural detoxification mechanisms. The following are some generic guidelines to prepare the body for detoxing at home: 1. Adopt a pure vegetarian diet, at least two days in advance of Day 1 of snehapana (ghee drinking). If possible, start a vegetarian diet one week prior to snehapana. 2. Drink warm water or hot water throughout the day, especially upon waking first thing in the morning. Waters that are supportive of detox and digestion include: lemon water, ginger water, tulsi water, and mint water. Boiled water with jeera (cumin),ajwain (bishop's weed) and cinnamon is also encouraged. The basic premise is that hot water cleans the body, much the same as we use hot water to clean dishes or a car or something that is really dirty. Drinking herbal water also promotes digestion which is important prior to starting snehapana. 3. Avoid all forms of cold drinks, including ice water, colas, red bull, and other variations of cold water. 4. Avoid smoking. If you are a smoker, try to reduce the frequency of smoke breaks taken throughout the day; smoke half a cigarrette and then put it out; and switch to a lighter brand of cigarettes or tobacco. 5. Avoid alcohol. If you drink alcohol, try to avoid hard alcohol, beer and other cold alcoholic drinks. If you must drink, then opt for red wine or brandy. But it is better to abstain altogether. The liver and the body in general utilizes a lot of energy in order to remove alcohol from the body. When we consume alcohol, we take away energy from other bodily processes, such as digestion of food, because our liver is busy getting rid of alcohol. To reiterate: cigarettes, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food must absolutely be curtailed, if not rigorouslyavoided, if one is hoping for a very deep and effective detox.
7. Start going to bed earlier at least 30 minutes earlier every single day, until you are in the habit of going to sleep at 9:30 pm. This is essential for supporting your body's natural detoxification cycle, which starts at roughly 10:00 pm everday.
