Ayurveda Kitchari Cleanse | Benefits & Recipe | The Ayurvedic Institute (2024)

FAQs

How many days should you do the kitchari cleanse? ›

Anywhere from 3-5 days is recommended, with 5 being a particularly long cleanse but incredibly beneficial. Not only is the kitchari working its magic from within but the elimination of sugar, caffeine, processed foods, meat and dairy also allows the body to breathe and recharge.

This is a very gentle cleanse, as cleanses go, so you will most likely not find yourself experiencing discomfort. Having said that, you could still experience physical or emotional ups and downs, headaches, body aches, fatigue, irritability. These are all normal, make sure you sleep & hydrate loads.

Make kitchari a staple in your daily diet! It is not just for cleansing, but a nourishing healthy meal with a wide variety of recipe options.

I also love Kitchari fasting for the benefit of weight loss! A cleanse should include protein to keep blood sugar levels stable so that you feel satisfied and do not overeat. I love Kitchari fasting because it is an easy way to detox, lose weight and boost energy.

I recommend starting with a 3 day if this is your first time. During the cleanse no caffeine, no sugar, no alcohol, nothing cold or raw, and no processed foods should be consumed. Drink approximately 6-8 glasses of warm water each day, stop taking all other supplements and herbs, and avoid strenuous physical activity.

You can garnish your kitchari with Fresh Coriander Chutney or Sesame Seed Chutney. It is best to avoid snacking, but if you need a little something extra, you can enjoy some fresh fruit, a few raw nuts, or a couple of slices of avocado. It is very important not to feel deprived during your cleanse.

Most detoxification programs recommend removing highly processed foods and foods to which some people are sensitive, such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and red meat. They also recommend eating mostly organically grown vegetables, fruit, whole non-glutenous grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein.

At a minimum, you should be eating a grain dish at breakfast and kitchari for lunch and dinner. You can add approved foods at those meals too. Snacking is limited, but you can reach for fresh fruit or raw nuts if you find yourself hungry between meals and unable to wait.

Take two to five tablets of Organic Triphala Rose before going to bed each night to cleanse the bowel, or two to four capsules of Herbal Cleanse. These gentle yet effective herbal supplements that help to cleanse the bowel.

Plan to Hydrate With A Dosha-Specific Tea

Alongside your kitchari, drink a dosha-specific tea (vata, pitta, kapha) throughout the detox period. These teas are specially formulated with herbs and spices that support your dosha and enhance the cleansing process.

Is kitchari good for the gut? ›

This kitchari recipe is easy to make and super healthy. Incorporating it into your diet will help with your gut health, digestion, and inflammation, among other things.

During cleansing, a time of already compromised digestion, the husk can irritate the intestinal wall and cause digestive gas or abdominal pain. Remember, kitchari is still used today in India as baby food—a food that is super easy to digest.

You simply eat kitchari, and only kitchari, for between 2 to 7 days depending on what your body needs. There's no fasting or complicated things to prepare, so it's easy to fit into your normal routine or when you're under extra pressure. You will still get the benefits of the detox while still eating!

So, make some kitchari and experience Ayurveda with your first dish! Caution: A kitchari mono-diet can lead to constipation if taken exclusively for several days, as it is low in fiber.

Excessive kapha is also commonly associated with type 2 diabetes imbalances. Kitchari is reducing and balancing. Good for all doshas. Instead of cooking the dal and grain together as it is done in the classic recipe, I make them separately, joining them when it is time to eat to help measure carbohydrate content.

A true metabolic detoxification is a full cycle of the three stages, and that takes time. We need at least 10 days to effectively support our bodies to be better at removing toxins, and even longer if you're particularly toxic or have never done a metabolic detox before.

Some people detox once a week, others once a month, and others just a few times per year. If you're frequently experiencing symptoms of toxicity, such as fatigue, moodiness, mental fog, and abdominal bloating, more frequent detoxing is a smart choice.

Many medical experts agree that a one-day fast can feel great. But extending beyond three days can begin to cause harm, especially if you have other medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. “A fast longer than a day or two can deplete vitamins, minerals and electrolytes,” Dr. Hopkins says.

In Ayurvedic medicine, performing a gentle cleanse periodically, once per month or every three to six months, is considered a healing practice. A simple 7-Day Ayurvedic Cleanse resets our digestive system, rejuvenates the body, and helps to create sustainable weight loss and lasting energy.