Why do we need to detox ourselves? Our lifestyle habits, processed foods, pollution, mental attitudes and negative emotions encourage the production of toxins everyday.

These produce free radicals in the body which are responsible for diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Ayurvedic medicine calls these toxins Ama and mala -the undigested particles of food and products of chemical processes in the body which have not been excreted from the body. The common symptoms of toxins in the body are lethargy, lack of concentration, body aches, feeling of heaviness and bloatedness, frequent infections like flu, colds and thrush and poor skin condition and cellulite. ME is a common example of a toxic state.

The first thing to do is to clear the gut. Go on a controlled fast once a week. Asmita recommends eating stewed apples and pears in the morning, as these contain pectin, maleic acid and tartaric acid which aid removal of toxins. Also drinking buttermilk made from sweet live yogurt mixed with water and blended. Add a quarter teaspoon of cumin and corriander powder to aid digestion. Drink warm water or fennel tea. Eat a light elementary diet of boiled rice, steamed vegetables and soups with herbs like garlic, ginger, mint, parsley.

Asmita prescribes Trifala - a combination of three herbs, the myrobalan fruits - which is a excellent cleanser for the bowel and blood and helps increase the production of the immune cells in the blood. To strengthen the immune system blood cells, eat a diet made up of sprouted beans - particularly alfalfa, whole grain, vegetables, fruits and garlic with plenty of water.

The lungs need to be strong. Garlic and ginger are two herbs which strengthen the lung. Daily deep breathing exercise helps oxygenate the brain and body tissues. Massage the skin daily before having a shower with warm oils like almond and sesame seed oil with essential oils like, lavender, basil, patchouli, eucalyptus, lime and lemon.

Toxins are excreted through the sweat pores. The liver is the detoxifying machinery of the body. Vitamin C spouted alfalfa and dandelion tea help to cleanse and strengthen the liver cells. Phyllanthus niruri-Bhumi amla is the herb which is prescribed in Ayurvedic medicine to cleanse the liver in hepatitis. Regular walking exercise, meditation and Yoga give inner strength.