Cleaning Out

ayur

Sometimes our bodies just needs a break. Mine did. After a few weeks of ignoring its cry for a rest, I finally listened. How did I know it? A skin breakout that went out of hand was a clear sign that I needed to restore some internal equilibrium.

Yes, I know there is an easier way out. See a dermatologist, get some strong antibiotics, go for a chemical peel and slap on some Vitamin A cream. Lo and behold, radiant skin will reappear. But is that the real solution? I desperately wanted to find out why it happened and how can I prevent it in the future.

So it was time to pay my reliable Dr. S for some help who always have the right answers for me. Dr. S is an ayurveda practitioner from Kerala and he has the calmest disposition that I believe no drama will be dramatic enough to shake him out of his balance.

Personally I’m very much into alternative medicine and tend to shun allopathic solutions whenever possible. The philosophy that the body becomes unwell because of our ignorance, lifestyle and mental state of mind is something I truly believe in.

After a short 15 minutes chat with Dr. S, I have all my questions
answered and a bag of really useful advice. Of course, I also left
with bottles of herbal potions and pastes for the next few weeks.
Ayurveda medicine requires about 2 weeks to take effect, instead of
several hours like antibiotics and a big dose of discipline to put into
practice some practical changes to daily activities and living habits which for
me is particularly to ensure proper food digestion. Not to mention enough courage to stomach those herbal concoctions!

Sunday was the designated DIY detox day. My meals consist of only
rice porridge and carrots. Dutifully I went for a Father’s Day dinner
at the seafood restaurant and stared at the crabs, cockles and prawns.
All I had was steamed fish and rice. The great thing was I didn’t feel
left out declining the array of delights. I respected my body’s need
for a cleanout.

And did I mention the long lists of diet no-no’s as instructed by
Dr. S? For the next few months I’ll be saying goodbye to ice-cream,
chocolate, yogurt, sugar, mangoes, mushroom, bananas, aubergine, nuts
and minimal dairy. As I held his office door to exit, I turned back to
say, “I’ll try my best, Doctor. I’m going to Germany in 5 weeks.” He
just smiled back and said, “Take it easy and remember what’s triggering
all this.” It’s just stress. I guess nothing gets too complicated.