Ghee and the Dhatus

We are heading into the final week or Pancha Karma Phase of the Immersion. Pancha Karma is a methodology used in India to flush out toxins within the mind, body and emotions. It is a powerful way to connect or reconnect to spirit. It is typically undertaken with the changing of the seasons or when disease is in the body. It cleanses the body, improves digestion, improves metabolism and reestablishes life purpose and Connection to Spirit. It should be performed, at a minimum, once a year by all people. If you are suffering a serious illness, depression or weight gain, it should be performed with your course of treatment or ideally before so that your body can receive treatment and process efficiently.
In India, Pancha Karma consists of oleation (ingesting oil through nose, enemas, eating and skin) laxatives, heat therapy, vomiting and blood-letting. In a self-administered Pancha Karma, you do not participate in vomiting and blood-letting as this must be guided by an Ayurvedic Physician with a Medical Degree. Both practices can be dangerous if performed without supervision.
Panchakarma works on the dhatus or tissue layers as following:

• The immune system is flushed (Rasa or lymphatic fluid and plasma). This improves immunity and the bodies ability to fight disease. Emotionally, Rasa is associated with the ability to feel joyous. Rasa is thought to be a sacred fluid that sustains life.
• The blood (Rakta) is purified. Emotionally, Rakta is associated with the ability to live passionately and to have vigor.
• The skin and muscle (Mamsa) release toxins. Emotionally, Mamsa is associated with the ability to discern in any situation.
• The fat or Medas is flushed. Medas is assiciated with feeling loveable and giving love.
• The Ashti or bone is rejuvenated. Emotionally, this will give you confidence and clarity of intention.
• The nervous system or Majja is soothed. This gives calmness and clarity.
• The reproductive tissues and fluids are restored (shukra) giving creativity.

It becomes obvious from the above discussion that your physical and emotional bodies are not separated. The flushing of ama is on all levels.
Ghee and Enemas Part of the Immersion includes a couple of things that seem rather....odd.
The first is the ingestion of Ghee. Ghee is clarified butter. In small no larger than one teaspoon at a time, ghee is heating and stimulates digestion. If you are constipated, you can actually heat a little milk, place a teaspoon of ghee to melt and drink and it will facilitate elimination. We ingest ghee prior to our final intensive week to loosen up the final bit of Ama (toxins) that have been brought to the surface dhatus by the three initial weeks of good living and eating. The ghee also paciifies the Wind or Vata, cools the Fire or Pitta and nourishishes the Earth or Kapha. The ghee, in combination with the ginger tea and the extra cumin and turmeric added through our Detox Dish (Kitcheri) cause the cells to "spit out" the toxins. Finally, the small intestine is flushed with castor oil and all the loosened toxins come out. You then go into the final phase of eating easily digested food and then rebuilding Agni or Fire by eating for your dosha.
The Tea below is the perfect additional to your Immersion: Yogi Bhajan’s YOGI TEA You have probably seen packaged Yogi Tea in its many delicious flavors on the shelf at your natural food store or grocery market. Here is how you can easily make it from scratch! The spices are known in Ayurveda to help improve digestion, purify the blood, improve immune fitness, ward off intestinal parasites, and increase vitality. As the saying goes, "A cup a day keeps disease away..."
I like to make at least a gallon at a time. When it’s done, strain it (you can freeze the spices and save to make another smaller batch another day) and pour into a jar or lidded pitcher. Then when you desire a cup, just add the milk of your choice, bring it to the boiling point, sweeten if desired, and enjoy.
Plain Yogi Tea keeps refrigerated for several weeks. 4 qts water 25 whole cloves 30 peppercorns 6-8 3-4" cinnamon sticks 25 green cardamom pods 3-4" gingerroot (scrubbed clean, not peeled) thinly sliced 1 tsp. black tea (or 1 tea bag), optional Bring water to a fast boil in a stainless steel pot. Add whole cloves and let them dance for about 1 minute. Add peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom and ginger root. Turn heat down so it is just simmering, cover, and let lightly boil for 45-60 minutes. Remove from heat, add black tea, and let sit for another hour (or overnight). This way it gets nice and strong so you can best enjoy this potent spice blend! Then strain and refrigerate.
VARIATIONS:
Add 1 Tbsp. or more of Fennel seeds with the other spices. This will make the tea somewhat diuretic, and gives a nice sweet flavor.