We rang our experts, scoured the internet, reached out to all those who’d ever said the word detox, to bring you a no-nonsense tutorial, so you can make a, did we say clean, start to 2019
1. Juice cleanse
Okay so it is old juice in new bottles, but it still works at keeping you healthier than thou, especially when placed strategically on your desk, so your colleagues do not offer you butter cookies left over from Diwali.
Try Antidote’s Skin Cleanse, touted as a 7-day gut reset that has what they call a Beauty Shot (lotus stem, ginger, bamboo extract) in the morning; a Cleanser (celery, cucumber, apple) to be had at noon; a Plumper (pear, spinach, wheatgrass, moringa) before lunch; Chai Almond Mylk in the evening; a Souper (miso, pumpkin, carrot) at dinner; a tablespoon of Seeding Powder after dinner. There’s a guide about what to eat — called the Love List and (in a bigger font size, because they know us well), what not to eat, called the Avoid List, plus a Limit List. ₹8,000
2. Paro’s copper tongue cleaner
Much like you brush your teeth, (if you’ve got OCD, your body too), your tongue needs care as well. The people at the Chopra Center in the US certainly believe it is, with Dr Sheila Patel, who is Medical Director and a board-certified family physician, saying on their website you’ve got to do it back to front for 7-14 strokes, washing in between, if there’s a build-up. Why do you need to get rid of it? You don’t need Ayurveda to tell you it causes a bacterial surfeit causing halitosis, er bad breath. But if you’re hung up on what the West say, Mayo Clinic says it’s okay to use. The Charaka Samhita says you’ve got to have one in gold, silver, copper, tin or brass.
3. Dosha-based skincare
For those of us who cannot remember which is which dosha and what we are, the people at skincare brand Shankara have made it simple. For face care, you can shop by Vata (dry skin), Pitta (normal, sensitive, combination skin), kapha (oily skin), and tridosha (all skin types). ₹700 upwards
4. Lakadong turmeric
Lakadong is an area in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, where the curcumin content in the turmeric is supposed to be one of the highest in the world, at 6 %-7.5%, according to research conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research. Curcumin is of course anti-everything-bad and pro-everything-good, but if you want to sustain a drawing-room conversation, suffice to say that the yellow substance is a phytochemical (an antioxidant). Which means it is mopping up all those free-radicals (bad guys) that roam freely in the body when we are under prolonged stress (say, smoking when your deadline is near, and you have a daily deadline).
Urban Platter, 200g, ₹250; Holy Natural, 100 g, ₹350; Aranyam Natural Lakadong Turmeric Powder, 100 g, ₹350; Looms & Weaves High Curcumin Lakadong Turmeric Powder, 200g for ₹299
5. Aromatique Hand Wash
Aesop, the Australia-made brand gives out ‘clean, plant vibes’ with its apothecary-style label and product description, calling the label a “botanically enhanced gel formulation that gently works to cleanse hands without dehydrating; resulting in soft, protected skin throughout the day.” It is suited for all skin types, and just in case you needed it to be paired with its partner, there is the Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm. Mandarin Rind, Rosemary Leaf, Cedar Atlas. Breathe in, breathe out. ₹2,756 (approximately)
6. Chew sticks
Well, aside from your dog, chew sticks are supposed to be good for the environment and your body — at least the natural ones are. Plus, they pay back to a cottage industry. African Chew Sticks, made with liquorice root no less, ₹2927 for 30 to 50 sticks. They are said to clean out bacteria — specifically the ones that cause tooth decay according to a study published in The Journal of Natural Products. Or just go with plain old neem, ₹58 upward.
7. Soothing massages
Swedish massage, the mother massage, from where all other massages stem, has a mechanical effect, says Dr Rukmani Nair, a naturopath in Delhi, who founded the BNCHY Wellness Medispa in Delhi. “It is like water,” she says, simplifying it for those of us who just do not get naturopathy. “If there is pressure, it flows with force; if there isn’t, nothing much comes out,” she says, prosaically. What she means is that massage, with its pushing, pulling, kneading and every other kind of hand movement, gets the blood moving. “This increases circulation, which means the cells will get good nourishment, metabolism is enhanced and the body begins to function well,” she says. Consumption, digestion, assimilation, elimination, all happen optimally. The skin, lungs, kidneys, large intestine are the main eliminative organs, and in order to keep them going, you will need to get that weekly massage. Sigh, yes. As if we needed a reason.
8. Amla oil
Say it with me: vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants. Now, imagine using it to wipe away make-up and the day’s horrors. It is like having your cake and eating it too. Try Tracy Martyn’s Amla Purifying Cleanser, ₹4,595 for 50 ml.
9. Body cleansers
Neoveda Aloe Vera Body Wash is PETA-certified and paraben, sulphate, silicone, mineral oil, triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol-free. Whew! It has got honey, a natural surfactant, and of course, aloe vera. ₹700 for 200 ml
Nubian Heritage Body Wash Goats Milk & Chai has goatsmilk, shea butter, rose extracts. Almost smoothie-good. ₹934 (approximately) for 384 ml
10. Triphala
It is not the most sexy product, but it is fairly effective as a mild colon cleanser. “It is a part of panchakarma, the cleaning of the orifices,” says Dr Zankhana Buch. It contains the three fruits Amalaki (helps with food absorption), Bibhitaki (an expectorant), and Haritaki (a laxative). Take a teaspoon in half a glass of warm water at night. You could also wash your eyes with it, as a sort of tea (boiled and strained) if you have an infection or swollen eyes.
11. For furry friends
Your pet must also have his own minimalistic-label, paraben- and sulphate-free cleaning routine, naturally. Wldflwr Ntrls Shampoo, 200 ml, ₹350; anti-tick and flee spray, 200 ml for ₹275, Ethique Bow Wow Bar, 100 g, ₹1,000 (approximately) and waterless shampoo spray, 200 ml, ₹350.
12. Neeti pot
It is not the most pleasant of sights, but if you have an ENT problem, nose irrigation is the way to go, with jal neeti forming a part of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. “Anu Thailam works best for this,” says Dr Zankhana Buch, the Medical Director at Bengaluru’s AyurVaid Hospital. Mix a glass of lukewarm water with half a teaspoon of salt, hold your head over the washbasin, tilt your head and pour in. Ceramic jal neeti pot, ₹392 at Medilinemart. Kairali Anu Thailam, 10 ml for ₹190
13. Foot scrub
Opt for the one by Venustas Essentials that comes with coarse salt scrubs — great to remove dead skin. 200 ml for ₹499
14. Health skin
If a review on Nykaa is to be believed, then the First Water Clear 7 Clarifying Face Wash is a ‘holy grail product’, great for acne-prone skin. Plus, it is vegan, cruelty-free, even gluten-free, for if you do not want anything to do with the protein ever. 200 ml for ₹499
15. Good ol’ soap
Vilvah Coolwaters Men’s Soap contains olive oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, castor oil, French green clay, sage essential oil, ceder wood essential oil. The scent of a man? 130 g, ₹380
Nyassa Arabian Oudh Handmade Soap contains Himalayan pink salt, aloe vera extract, grape seed extract, honey extract, cold pressed sweet almond oil, cold pressed wheatgerm oil, and vitamin E acetate, birch tree extracts and shea butter. That’s a lot to pack in. 150 g for ₹350
16. Tea cleanse
TeamonkGlobal Ahina Long Leaf Green Tea, 100 g, ₹450
Gaia Herbs Liver Cleanse Tea, 16 tea bags, ₹342
17. Frankincense
Fumigation with the resin forms a part of most religious practices and Ayurveda recommends it. The problem: the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful for the airways. But another study suggests it has got psychoactive properties, meaning ‘an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses,’ said Science Daily, albeit 10 years ago.
Research this year on frankincense oil says it has antimicrobial properties. Be sensible: if you have someone at home who reacts to it, avoid; but a weekly burn with the doors and windows open is not going to kill.
Maroma Incense sticks, ₹160; essential oil, 10 ml, ₹645
Mitti Se frankincense essential oil, 10 ml, ₹510
18. Activated Charcoal
Sometimes, we will try products just for their descriptions. Neemli Naturals says their product is a ‘hand pounded beautifying and skin softening clay mask that is enriched with clarifying activated Charcoal and a blend of mineral-rich clays. This face mask has no fillers and is 100% pure.’ The actual benefits: it’s a deep-pore cleanser. 75 g, ₹725.
19. Natural healers
A handmade, natural cleanser to be used daily, the Skin Apotheke Ubtan Facial Scrub with Turmeric and Sandalwood cleanses and tones. Mix with water, milk, or yoghurt, depending on your skin type. ₹3,393 on Etsy
20. Cleanse your kitchen
Send your plastic off to Hyderabad-based Hydroxy Systems to convert into fuel, and then use these disposable cups, plates, and paper containers. Plantware crockery and cutlery is a thing, especially when made from sugarcane and wheat straw that are hot- and cold-food friendly. Arka vegetable bags, set of six for ₹840
21. Oil pulling
Since we are going back where we belong, oil pulling is another part of panchakarma. Basically you are gargling with the oil and then spitting it out, which, as a recent study pointed out, “is observed to bring improvement in oral hygiene when practised correctly and regularly,” though it did acknowledge a paucity of research on the subject. It is a practice in addition to brushing and flossing, not instead of, as your dentist will tell you. “The best oil to use is til thailam, or sesame oil. Keep it cold-pressed, certified organic. Azafran, 1 litre, ₹375
22. Bamboo Baby Wipes
Even if you do not have a baby, this is the thing to have if you have a child of any age (or you are just clumsy with sauce and pickle yourself). This product from Mama Earth says it is paediatrician-tested, hypoallergenic, made from 100% organic bamboo so doesn’t cause rashes, is enriched with vitamin E, shea butter, almond oil and aloe vera. Plus, it is biodegradable. Throw away those polyester-based wet wipes now! ₹249
23. Retreat in the hills
Whether you believe a river can cleanse you or not, the Ardh Kumbh in 2019 is going to be an experience, and it’s best to be able to get back in a luxury tent after a sensory overload in Allahabad. Do not fancy a spiritual or cultural experience? Try Chiva-Som n Hua Hin, with their Re-functional studio that specialises in recovery.
24. Plants to clean air
The NASA study (called Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement) found these useful: Gerbera, marginata, Chrysanthemum morifolium, peace lily, Warneckei, Janet Craig, bamboo palm. The study says, “Low-light-requiring houseplants, along with activated carbon plant filters, have demonstrated the potential for improving indoor air quality by removing trace organic pollutants from the air in energy-efficient buildings.” While the study was conducted in sealed environments, no harm in placing in a plant or two.
25. Functional water
We have had functional fitness, functional foods, and functional beauty. Now, there’s water too. Blk is a product developed by two sisters for their mother, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It contains fulvic acid that is mineral-rich, but doesn’t change the taste of water. Purified alkaline water is sourced from nature and enhanced with the black stuff that is water-soluble and has anti-inflammatory properties. Shilajit that has its source in the Himalayas (and is used in Ayurveda) is rich in fulvic acid, and is a result of the degradation of organic matter.
26. Rustic Art biolaundry soap
Made with lemon and neem oils (that cannot be eaten!) this ‘detergent’ is so earth-friendly you can use the ‘waste’ water from the washing machine in your plants. Soapnut, a part of the lychee family, is not the easiest to use, and may not work when your child has rubbed his garments in the mud, but it works for gentle clothes and for office wear, provided you put it into a bag before you dunk into the washing machine. Set of 4 (120 g each), ₹300
27. De-stress body wash
With Gulnare’s offering we have two things gone: stress and grime. It is natural and if you drop by their store with a bottle, they are happy to do refills. We will take a dozen please. 200 ml, ₹850
28. Beet lip scrub
Ignore the packaging of the Nytarra beetroot and sugar all-natural lip scrub, which is truly terrible. But each time you put it on, you’re know you’re safe — it is possibly the only guilt-free way of eating sugar. ₹295 on Nytarra
29. Kiva Wheatgrass detox
40 ml of the stuff before breakfast should do it for you. Each shot contains wheatgrass juice, aloe vera juice, coriander juice, lemon juice, lemon peel extract, honey. And just for good measure, it is ‘all sourced fresh from the foothills of Himalayas.’ Pack of six for ₹199 at kivalife
30. Welleco Super Elixir Greens
If it’s good enough for Elle Macpherson, who co-founded the company, it’s good enough for us. The Super Elixir Greens are rich in gluten-free barley grass. Macpherson and her docs are surprisingly right, even though the way she puts it may be alarming. A study this year just declared, “Barley grass powder is the best functional food that provides nutrition and eliminates toxins from cells in human beings; however, its functional ingredients have played an important role as health benefit.” She had us at elixir. ₹2,445 at Welleco
31. Drinking tools
You have got bamboo straws, but you’ll also need a biodegradable straw-brush, just to make sure your child’s not sucking in germs! Manglam Herbs offers ten straws and a brush for ₹1,200 on Amazon