Panchakarma Part 6: Enema Day, Buttermilk Baths & Ayurvedic Healing in Kerala

Day 12 of my Panchakarma journey will forever be remembered as Enema Day. Yes, you read that right. Ayurveda doesn’t shy away from deep cleansing, and this was one of those days where the process took me far out of my comfort zone, but also reminded me of why I’m here: to let go of toxins, emotions, and patterns that don’t serve me.

Morning Without Breakfast

The day began early. I had to be upstairs at 8am with no breakfast, always a challenge for someone like me who loves food. Dressed in my hospital gown, oil still in my hair from previous treatments, I felt both vulnerable and curious. This wasn’t going to be fun, but it wasn’t as bad as I feared either.

The doctor administered an oil enema , nothing like a medical enema back home. This was gentle, nourishing, and part of a carefully sequenced process. For the last three days, I’d already been having mini enemas, so my body was somewhat prepared.

The Build-Up: Oil & Buttermilk Baths

Before Enema Day, my treatments had included oil baths, until my skin reacted and got a little rashy. At that point, my Doctors, Dr Anu and Dr Rahul switched me to buttermilk baths. Imagine warm, medicated buttermilk being poured in synchronised rhythm across your body for 20 to 30 minutes. Lying on the Ayurvedic wooden table, I felt held, nourished, and cleansed at the same time. Pure heaven.

Other treatments included the beautiful medicated oil pours across my forehead (Shirodhara), face massages, stomach treatments with medicated oil pools, and steam therapy. Each was tailored to my constitution and what my body needed.

The Steam Chamber

The steam room on this day was different, a dedicated box-like chamber overlooking the ocean. It looked medieval, with valves and pipes like a pressure cooker, but once I was inside, surrounded by cushions and steam, it felt deeply relaxing. Fifteen minutes of heat, sweat, and ocean views, pure therapy.

Food Simplified

On days like purgation and enemas, the food is stripped back to basics. Breakfast was rice gruel, just brown rice water with a pinch of salt and a spoonful of ginger chutney. Bland, yes, but grounding and exactly what my body needed. Ayurveda reminds me that healing food doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes, less truly is more.

I’ve also stopped coffee and spicy masala here, even though they were technically on my “allowed” list. They were keeping me awake and agitating my system, so letting them go has been part of the cleanse.

The Awkward Walks

Let’s be honest: enemas are not glamorous. There were a few “clenched cheek” walks back to my room, praying I’d make it in time. The staff, ever gentle, asked repeatedly, _“Are you sure, madam?”_ before letting me leave the treatment room. They clearly knew more than me…humbling, funny, and very human.

Emotional & Physical Release

Beyond the physical, Ayurveda always touches the emotional. Dreams have been vivid, emotions surfacing uninvited, memories from childhood bubbling up. Sometimes it feels like too much, but then I remember, this is exactly why I came. To clear out not just the body, but the heart and mind.

Grateful for the Weather

Despite being monsoon season, Kerala has blessed me with sunshine almost every day. Last night’s dinner was the first time I saw rain while awake since arriving. The rest of the time, the skies have been kind, the ocean steady, the atmosphere a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be here.

Final Reflections

Day 12 of Panchakarma, Enema Day, was a turning point. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was powerful. The enemas, the buttermilk baths, the steam therapy, the bland but healing foods, all of it worked together to help me release more deeply. Not just waste or toxins, but emotions, cravings, and attachments that no longer serve me.

This is the heart of Panchakarma. It’s not a spa treatment. It’s not always comfortable. But it is real, raw, and life-changing. I know I’ll carry these lessons home with me, the discipline, the humility, the simplicity, and the joy of being present in each moment.

Caroline x

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