As healing as a cleanse may be when performed properly, it can become equally as harmful if the timing is simply not right. Ayurveda is a major advocate for seasonal cleansing, but before you get started it is essential to make sure your body, mind, environment, and schedule are in line with these cleansing programs which can be (at times) relatively invasive, time-consuming, draining, and uprooting.

Home cleanses are amazing options for routine cleansing, as they tend to be much more affordable and accessible, but still very effective. I take clients through them regularly and perform a home cleanse every spring and fall. I have seen and experienced many benefits from them, but I have also heard multiple stories of self-directed home cleanses going seriously wrong. Therefore, before getting too excited and jumping in full throttle, it is important to know when a cleanse is needed and when life’s circumstances are telling you to hold off.

The timing of your cleanse can very easily make or break the results. Since Ayurvedic cleanses have a preparatory and re-introductory phase, a 7-day cleanse can technically last three weeks or more. This entire timeframe will need to be considered when you are planning out when to begin your cleanse. The more in-depth and integrated your cleanse is, the more important it becomes to follow these precautions. For example, a “simple” 3-day mono-diet kitchari cleanse will be much more gentle and flexible than a full-on 7-day home Panchakarma program. Therefore, if you discover it is not a suitable time for you to do an intense and extensive cleanse, you may find that a shorter, simpler mini-cleanse may be a nice compromise until the timing is better aligned.

Although this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most common situations when a cleanse is not recommended. If you fall into any of these categories but are dealing with high toxins, keep reading to discover safer, more appropriate cleansing options to consider until a more thorough cleanse can be performed.

Cleansing Contraindications: When NOT To Perform A Cleanse

During pregnancy, directly after giving birth, and while breastfeeding
During menstruation
While traveling
During sickness or directly after a severe sickness (wait until total health and strength return)
Before or after surgery (wait until total health and strength return—and always check with your doctor!)
While on antibiotics
If you have a parasitic infection (this should be dealt with and then a cleanse can be performed)
During times of severe stress or mental-emotional imbalance
While grieving the loss of a loved one
While going through severely stressful events (divorce, moving, etc)
During times of a heavy workload or non-stop schedule
In extreme weather such as extremely hot weather (e.g. mid-summer season) and extremely cold weather (e.g. mid-winter season)—fall and spring are generally the best times of year for cleansing programs
If you cannot give up caffeine, tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, etc—using these substances can be harmful during and directly after times of cleansing
Times of extremely high Vata such as depletion, exhaustion, weakness, severe anxiety, insomnia, or excessively low body weight
If you are elderly or a young child (this number will vary but roughly over 65 and under 13)

If you have fallen under any of these categories but are experiencing a high level of toxins in your system, do not despair! In these fairly common situations, Ayurveda offers a long list of gentler cleansing therapies, termed Shamana, that are generally suitable when a more rigorous cleansing program should be avoided. Since the best Shamana methods will vary depending on your life circumstances (and some may still be contraindicated), it is generally best to talk with a knowledgeable Ayurvedic Practitioner to make sure you are on a safe and suitable path.

Shamana Therapies: Gentle Cleansing Techniques

1. Dipana – Stimulating the Digestive Fire

2. Pachana – Burning Toxins

3. Kshut Nigraha – Mild fasting or eating a mono-diet

4. Trut Nigraha – Minimizing liquid intake

5. Vyayama – Exercise

6. Atapa Seva – Sun Bathing

7. Maruta Seva – Taking in Fresh Air

This list comes from the ancient Ayurvedic texts, but holds many truths for our health and wellness today! To discover more about these therapies and the best ways to incorporate them keep reading with our article on Shamana Therapy!