Panchakarma Part 4: Lymph Healing, Purgation & My Ayurvedic Glow
Discover Panchakarma, Ayurveda’s profound detox system. In this deeply personal...
Panchakarma Part 4: Lymph Healing, Purgation & My Ayurvedic Glow
When I first committed to a full 21-day Panchakarma in Kerala, I knew it wasn’t going to be just another wellness retreat. This was going to be deep work: a physical detox, yes, but also an emotional unravelling, a spiritual reconnection, and a kind of reset I had been craving for a long time. What I didn’t expect was just how many layers would peel away, from physical exhaustion to childhood memories surfacing in dreams, and how much my lymph system, would become part of the story.
This is Part 4 of my Panchakarma diary. If you’ve been following along, you know by now that Ayurveda is not just about diet or yoga, but about balancing the whole system. Today I’ll share what purgation day looked like, why the lymph system matters more than most of us realise, and the small moments of joy, from dancing to connecting with fellow guests, that made this stage of the journey so beautiful.
The Beauty of Kerala
Each morning here feels like a gift. Today, I wandered up to Somatheeram, one of the sister properties above Ayursoma where I’ve been staying. The Arabian Ocean is stretched out for miles in front of me, the sound of the waves a perfect backdrop. I loved the _Arabian Nights_ when I was a kid. I would spend hours in my head dreaming that somewhere there was hope of a better life, that magical lands and hidden treasures, actually existed. I felt like I had stepped into that kind of wonder. Which is not hard to do when India is such an ancient country and still has so many practices dating back centuries, like the brightly painted fishing boats bobbing in the ocean and lying on the beach in front of my room.
The weather has been so good, despite it being monsoon season. At night I hear the rain on the roof, in the early hours of the morning, but during the day its gorgeous enough for me to lounge by the pool or take walks through the complex and gardens. Kerala feels alive in a way that is hard to describe, every breeze brings both moisture and healing.
Treatments That Go Deeper
The Steam Box
One of the more unusual treatments I had was sitting inside a wooden steam box, a little sauna with only my head sticking out. It might have looked medieval it was really good. I so wish I had taken a photo of me with my head sticking out but recording was tricky with oil etc everywhere Even though Kerala’s weather is humid and warm, the steam therapy unlocked something in my muscles and left me lighter.
The therapists here are incredible. Every touch feels intentional, every herb and oil chosen for its specific effect. And after each treatment, I’m given fresh coconut water, sweet, cooling, and grounding, sometimes I would just sit on those chairs way past the coconut water being drunk. Small rituals like this make the experience nourishing not just for the body but also for the soul.
Purgation Day
And then came purgation day, a key step in Panchakarma. I woke at 6am, was given medicated ghee, followed by several glasses of warm water. Within a couple of hours, my body began clearing out. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was powerful. The idea is to flush toxins from the digestive system, clearing the pathways for deeper healing.
Food was simple that day: rice soup, and later kichdi, (Click here for the recipe) the Ayurvedic comfort food of rice, lentils, and gentle spices. Honestly, I could live on it. The simplicity gave my body the rest it needed. I spent most of the day sleeping, waking only to drink water, eat lightly, or go for a gentle treatment. My head ached, my energy dropped, but I knew my system was releasing what it needed to.
The treatment that evening was lighter but still beautiful: a massage, head oiling, and being covered in a red, sandy mud paste that grounded me deeply. Then, as always, coconut water and rest.
Joy in the Unexpected
The other things that happened was one night at dinner, I walked in to find my place set right at the front of the hall. A single table between 2 long tables. A performance of traditional Indian dance was about to begin, and apparently, I was the guest of honour for staying 21 days. To my surprise, I was gifted a sari, a little wooden elephant, and a bag of herbs and spices, a recognition for staying the full 21 days. It was really sweet and I was so touched.
The sense of community here runs deep. I’ve met people from all over the world, like Greta, a woman from Switzerland who works for the UN on de-mining projects. I went straight to ‘oh you mean when they reforest old iron mines” Talk about no idea!! How sheltered are we in Australia from all of that?
Dreams & Emotional Detox
As my body has been detoxing, my dreams have been vivid and emotional. Old memories, unresolved feelings, even anger rising to the surface. Ayurveda speaks of the doshas, vata, pitta, kapha, and I see how my pitta fire is being stirred. But instead of suppressing these feelings, I’m letting them move through. Healing isn’t usually serene; more often than not it’s messy, and means facing what we’ve buried.
Reflections on Panchakarma
Some treatments are being tailored to me, and to be honest, part of me was disappointed to learn I won’t be experiencing every single traditional step, like therapeutic vomiting, which is reserved for those who truly need it. But I trust the wisdom of the doctors here. Ayurveda is not a one-size-fits-all system; it’s personalized, and that’s what makes it so effective.
As I move through this process, I’m reminded again and again: healing is not about doing everything, it’s about doing what is right for your body, at the right time.
Looking Ahead
This journey has made me curious about future detoxes, maybe another Panchakarma in Sri Lanka or a completely different approach in Costa Rica. The world is full of healing traditions, and I want to explore them. But for now, I’m here, letting this one work its magic.
Final Thoughts
Panchakarma Part 4 has been about surrender. Surrendering to purgation, to exhaustion, to vivid dreams and emotions, to the kindness of strangers, and to the deep, often uncomfortable process of true healing. My lymph system, my thyroid, my digestion, my mind, all are being rewoven in ways I couldn’t have planned.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a deep detox could help you, whether you’re carrying stress, burnout, grief, or simply the heaviness of life, Ayurveda offers not just treatments but a way back to yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
I hope my story encourages you to explore your own path of healing. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about detoxing the body. It’s about clearing the heart, the mind, and the spirit — until you find your joy again.
Caroline x
