Colon cleansing naturally is much easier than dealing with the long-term potential problems that a build-up of waste may lead to. The modern diet, rich in heavy, processed foods, tends to contribute to an accumulation of toxins that recycle back into the bloodstream, and negatively effect other organs. A healthy colon cleanse can help the body eliminate waste that may have been sitting in the colon for days, weeks, and even months. Through fasting, a proper diet, and colon cleansing herbs, the body can began moving towards optimal health, and away from disease, fatigue, and weakness.
Who Benefits from Colon Cleansing Naturally?
When food sits in the colon for a long period of time, it has the chance to ferment and become rancid. Waste can mix with other bacteria and chemicals, creating newer and more dangerous toxic substances. Eventually, either indirectly or directly, disease may manifest, as it is believed by many naturopaths that illnesses ranging from depression to colon cancer could be the result of toxicity in the body. Focusing on colon health through a colon cleansing diet and herbs may contribute to the prevention of myriad health problems.
Almost everyone can benefit from a healthy colon cleanse, as it will improve digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. There are specific signs that colon cleansing may be necessary. In a perfect human waste management system, bowel movements would happen every 12 hours with ease, stools would be light in color and density, and hardly smell at all. Symptoms such as poor digestion, gas, bad breath, skin blemishes, fatigue, mental sluggishness, arthritis, and headaches may represent a state of toxicity from waste build-up.
Beginning a Healthy Colon Cleanse with Fasting
Colon cleansing naturally should begin with a one or two day detox fast. The evening before fasting, drink a gentle colon cleansing tea, such as dandelion. Also, prepare a fiber mix, by adding equal parts of oat bran and flax seed to water, stirring, and leaving overnight. The next morning, begin the day with two tablespoons of the fiber mix, blended in a glass of fresh fruit juice or water, as well as warm water mixed with fresh lemon juice. Mid-morning, drink two ounces of aloe vera juice in a glass of fresh fruit juice. Throughout the rest of the day, drink juices, teas made from colon cleansing herbs, and either homemade or store-bought vegetable broth. Also, be sure to drink eight glasses of water. If fasting for two days, follow the same schedule for the second day. Beginning with a fast is the most effective method of colon cleansing naturally as it will quickly and efficiently rid the body of toxins.
The Colon Cleansing Diet for a Healthy Colon Cleanse
After fasting, following a colon cleansing diet will help the body almost completely eliminate excess waste. This diet can be easily modified to suit the individual’s needs. Begin with primarily raw foods for one to two weeks. This includes raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, raw goat cheese, and minimally processed vegetable oils. Raw foods will provide the body with a wealth of enzymes, and also lessen the energy needed for digestion.
After this preliminary period, compose from one-quarter to one-half of the diet with raw foods. Eat plenty of all types of vegetables, and beneficial fruits – apples for pectin, bananas for nutrients and prebiotics, berries and grapes for antioxidants. Also, focus on fiber, eating plenty of whole grains such as oats, brown rice, and wheat-based pastas and breads, and yogurt for the beneficial bacteria, necessary for healthy intestinal flora. The colon cleansing diet also of course requires plenty of liquids, including water and fresh fruit juices such as apple, papaya, pineapple, and carrot.
During and after a healthy colon cleanse, try to minimize sugar, refined and processed foods, and hydrogenated oils. Also, be careful not to consume too much saturated fat, which is difficult for the body to break down, or too many dairy products, which create extra mucous in the colon.
Colon Cleansing Herbs for a Healthy Colon Cleanse
There are a number of herbs which can contribute to a healthy colon. Some help to restore balance and others cleanse in different ways. All of these colon cleansing herbs can be safely taken as herbal infusions from one to three times a day. They are fine on their own, or blended with one another.
Colon Cleansing Herbs to Restore the Acid/Alkaline Balance:
- aloe vera
- calendula
- peppermint
Colon Cleansing Herbs to Loosen Mucous:
- boneset
- marshmallow
- yarrow
Blood Cleansing Herbs"
- burdock
- milk thistle
- red clover
Colon Cleansing Herbs to Help Release Waste:
- red raspberry
- dandelion
- butternut bark
Colon cleansing naturally is not only a way to promote colon health, but a way to purify the body. This process can be repeated whenever necessary and desired.
Sources:
Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Fourth Edition (Penguin Books, 2006).
Hoffmann, David. The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal. (Element Books, 1996).
Page, Linda. Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone, 11th Edition" (Traditional Wisdom, 2003).
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