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. These Snehana therapies are 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. The sense organs are our way of connecting to the world and communicating with others is 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!

There are two 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 fluid is kept in the mouth comfortably and you are able to gargle and move the fluid around the mouth and throat. Then there is Gandusa which is sightly different and where the mouth is completely filled to capacity so that it is impossible to gargle but the fluid in the mouth fills up the whole area and one breaths in the 'essence' of the herbs, spices etc that are contained within the fluid.

You do both practices during the gargling process. So first you take in three quarters of the fluid and gargle it around the mouth and throat and then you fill the mouth with the rest of the fluid and retain it in the mouth while you breath and fill your face, ears, and head with the potion through activating the mind, and imagine the fluid entering all these areas. You can do this several times after brushing your teeth in the morning and at nighttime.

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

Some simple fluids for each dosha would be, Vata, One cup of water, One teaspoon caraway seeds, Two teaspoons sesame oil, one drop eucalyptus oil, boil water add seeds simmer for five mins, cool and add oils then gargle when it is just warm.

Pitta, One cup of water, one teaspoon fennel seeds,two teaspoons coconut oil/or sesame and one drop of peppermint take the same as above

Kapha, one cup water, one teaspoon cardamom seeds, two teaspoons light almond oil and one drop citrus oil - same as above

Enjoy !!