Gargling the Lost Art Svedhana

Gargling the Lost Art Svedhana

This is one of the easiest ways to cleanse the senses and a profound way that taps into many of the areas that we do not normally think about cleansing.

Eyes, Nose & Throat

This Svedhana therapy is for the eyes, nose mouth and throat and are really a lost treatment form. We teach our clients how to do them because they are so good for helping to clear the mind and emotions as well as the physical senses.

Sense Organs

The sense organs are our way of connecting to the world and communicating with others it makes sense to pay attention to them and spend time in healing and rejuvenation. It is said that if the senses are cleansed and healthy then disease cannot take hold and this makes a lot of sense when you think about it!

Kavalagraha

There are 2 ayurvedic gargling procedures that I was taught to do one is Kavalagraha which is the process that many of you will be familiar with and is where a fluid is kept in the mouth comfortably and you are able to gargle and move the fluid around the mouth and throat.

Gandusa

Then there is Gandusa which is different and where the mouth is completely filled to capacity so that it is impossible to gargle but the fluid in the moth fills up the whole area and one breaths in the 'essence' of the herbs, spices etc that is contained within the fluid.

You do both during the therapeutic gargling process.

First, you take in three-quarters of the fluid and gargle it around the mouth and throat, keep the liquid in the mouth and then you fill the mouth with the rest of the fluid and retain it in the mouth while you breathe and fill your face, ears, and head with the liquid potion focussing through the mind. Imagining the fluid penetrating all the sense organs from within the mouth. I imagine the fluid flowing through channels to the ears, nose, and throat. Done properly this procedure will also help the eyes and your eyes may begin to water, this is perfectly fine.

You can do this several times after brushing your teeth in the morning and at night-time.

This process can also help to clear the senses of dosha complaints and help you to feel more in contact with the elements and in alignment with your own constitution.

Some simple herbal fluids for each dosha -

Vata - 3 cups of water - I teaspoon caraway seeds - 2 teaspoons sesame oil - 1 drop eucalyptus oil - boil water add seeds simmer for 10 mins, cool and add oils - gargle when it is just warm.

Pitta - 3 cups of water - 1 teaspoon fennel seeds - 2 teaspoons coconut oil/or sesame and 1 drop of peppermint - same as above.

Kapha - 3 cups of water - 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds - 2 teaspoons light almond oil - 1 drop citrus oil - same as above.

You can use this for three days if kept in the fridge when I am ready to use this, I always put my daily cup into a radiator to warm it before gargling.

This is a good therapeutic procedure to do when you are feeling out of balance or when you have any other sense of imbalance.

Do it daily for up to 2 weeks, then you can see the effects on your senses.

For general purposes its good to practice gargling with Triphala powder once a week or a fortnight.