The Natural Way to Cleanse Your Colon
A build-up of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract can cause numerous health problems: allergies, asthma, arthritis, and more. A natural colon cleanse removes these harmful poisons to encourage healthy intestinal bacteria and improve digestion.
Natural colon cleansing supports weight loss, boosts energy, and strengthens the immune system. Some holistic health practitioners promote colon therapy as effective complementary treatment for cancer and other chronic conditions.
Most traditional doctors prescribe colon cleansing only as preparation for medical procedures, such as colonoscopies and surgeries. But holistic health practitioners encourage periodic colon therapy for detoxification. Colon therapy uses various alternative practices to remove fecal matter and other toxic debris from the colon and intestinal walls.
A colon cleanse can take the form of colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation, or oral treatments through natural dietary supplements. In colon hydrotherapy, special equipment uses water to irrigate and cleanse the colon. Oral regimens, the more popular form of colon cleansing, uses dietary fiber, herbal supplements, and natural laxatives.
Colon Cleanse Benefits
The need for detoxification is more prevalent today than ever in the past. Former generations enjoyed a different dietary intake, one that included organic foods like fresh fruits and garden vegetables. A healthy, high-fiber diet was the norm.
Today, refined and processed foods are dietary staples. Modern meals contain foods that are genetically engineered and filled with harmful substances: preservatives, colorants, hormones, pesticides, and chemicals. These foods deposit toxic waste in the body, and much of the waste lies within the gastrointestinal tract. This results in a sluggish colon, constipation, infections, and toxic poisoning.
A natural colon cleanse combats the negative effects of a modern diet. It provides numerous health benefits. It detoxifies the body, reduces constipation, and restores bowel movements. Cleansing also improves the colon’s muscular activity, decreases gas and bloating, and relieves hemorrhoids.
While individuals can purchase commercial products for colon cleansing, many natural herbs and seeds are very effective for detoxification cleansing. One of the best natural colon cleanse methods uses flax seed, cape aloe, barberry, and fennel.
Flax Seed
Flax, also called flax seed or linseed, is a plant in the Linaceae family. Its Latin name is Linum usitatissimum. The flax plant is native to India and the eastern Mediterranean countries. Flax is grown for its seed and fiber. The seeds and oil are edible elements used as nutritional supplements. Flax seed comes in two varieties: brown and yellow or golden. Both are high in omega-3 fatty acids, and both are rich in fiber. Fiber is the essential ingredient for a natural colon cleanse.
Cape Aloe
Since large amounts of flax seed can result in intestinal blockage, it is important to consume plenty of liquids during a colon cleanse. Aloe ferox, commonly called cape aloe or bitter aloe, is a good addition to a natural cleanse. Cape aloe is an aloe species native to South Africa. As a nutritional supplement, it comes in a concentrated or dried gel form. Diluted with juice or water, fiber-rich cape aloe cleanses and nourishes the body much like aloe vera. It is a natural laxative that reduces constipation problems.
Barberry
Barberry, also called pepperidge, is an evergreen shrub that is native to sub-tropical regions around the world: North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Known by its Latin name Berberis, barberry has both culinary and medicinal uses. The dried fruit of the barberry plant has been used as an herbal medicine for centuries. Folk medicine used it for digestive disorders, gallbladder disease, indigestion, and heartburn. Research indicates that barberry may also fight bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic intestinal infections.
Fennel
Fennel, the common name for Foeniculum vulgare, indigenous to the Mediterranean coast. The aromatic and flavorful herb has culinary and medicinal uses. Butterfly and moth larvae eat fennel for food, and humans enjoy it as a spice or medicine. Abundant in fiber, fennel is very effective for natural colon cleansing. Research suggests that fennel may prevent colon cancer, as well, since fiber removes cancer-causing toxins from the colon. The fennel bulb, stalk, leaves, and seeds are all edible. Colon cleansing typically uses fennel seed or tea to relax the intestines and reduce bloating.
Colon Cleanse Precautions
Individuals who have health problems or take medications should consult their doctor before doing a colon cleanse. They should known how herbal supplements interact with prescription drugs. Colon therapy should use sterile, disposable equipment. And hydration is important during a colon cleanse, to prevent dehydration and intestinal blockage.
I must admit I find it hard to commit to a full colon cleanse often myself, but I do try to regularly eat Fennel and Flax Seeds. I also stick to a vegetarian diet which seems to help prevent food build-up in the first place.
If any of you decide to try the colon cleanse, please come back and let us all know how you get on.
Thank you for reading!
