What Is A Natural Colon Cleanse And How Does It Work?
A natural colon cleanse is an effective way to detoxify your body naturally. It mainly aims to remove any accumulated feces from your colon and intestinal tract by using various methods. Colon cleansing is also referred to as colon therapy.There are mainly two ways by which you can cleanse your colon:
- The first method involves taking supplements via your mouth or rectum to help your colon expel its contents completely. Such supplements are easily available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and other drugstores.
- The second method is colon irrigation in which colon hydrotherapists perform colon irrigation by pumping out gallons of water via a small tube that is inserted into your rectum.
- The third method is coffee enemas that are self-administered. But we recommend you consult with your naturopathic practitioner before implementing.
What Are The Benefits Of A Natural Colon Cleanse?
A natural colon cleanse is believed to help in expelling undigested substances from your body. In the long run, such substances can turn toxic and have adverse effects on your health. Cleansing your colon enhances your vitality by- helping you lose weight
- improving your overall mental and physical health
- improving the functioning of your immune system
- reducing your risk of developing colon cancer
How To Cleanse Your Colon Naturally
1. Garcinia Cambogia
You Will Need
Garcinia cambogia supplements (500-1000mg)What You Have To Do
- Consume Garcinia cambogia supplements.
- You can also add Garcinia cambogia to your daily diet.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume Garcinia cambogia supplements 1 to 2 times daily.Why This Works
Supplementation with Garcinia cambogia (Malabar tamarind) suppresses your appetite and increases your metabolism. This is mainly due to the presence of a compound called Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA). HCA has natural fat burning properties, which can help you shed the extra pounds. And it also increases the number of your daily bowel movements, so it’s a true colon cleanse. Garcinia cambogia not only helps to flush out all the toxins from your body but also prevents constipation and is good for your mental health as well (1), (2).2. Apple Juice
You Will Need
- 1 apple
- 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Take an apple and cut it into pieces.
- Blend the pieces with a cup of water.
- Consume the apple juice.
- After 30 minutes, drink a glass of water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this multiple times daily for at least 3 days.Why This Works
Apples are a rich source of fiber (3). But it’s a special fiber called pectin that has insoluble and soluble properties. Fiber helps in bulking up your stool and makes it easy to pass. This helps reduce and maintain your weight. Additionally, apples also prevent and inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells (4), (5).3. Lemon Detox Drink
You Will Need
- 1/2 lemon
- 1-2 teaspoons of honey
- A pinch of salt
- 1 glass of lukewarm water
What You Have To Do
- Squeeze half a lemon and add the juice to a glass of lukewarm water.
- Add salt and honey to this and mix well.
- Consume this lemon detox drink.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this every morning on an empty stomach.Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.
Why This Works
Lemons are rich in vitamin C that enhances metabolism and aids detoxification (6). They are also natural antioxidants and protect your body from free radical damage (7). Lemon juice not only cleanses your colon but also helps you lose weight (8).4. Yogurt
You Will Need
- A bowl of plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
- Consume a bowl of plain yogurt.
How Often You Should Do This
You must have plain yogurt 1 to 2 times every day. Plain means, no added sugar, no added fruit.Why This Works
Yogurt is a natural probiotic that helps in restoring the beneficial gut flora (9). Your intestines contain lots of good bacteria, the absence of which may cause a series of digestive and health problems. Yogurt is also a rich source of antioxidants and helps in the natural detoxification of your body (10). The daily consumption of yogurt helps in maintaining the level of probiotics in your body, which, in turn, improves digestion and cleanses the colon.5. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water.
- Add honey to this and mix well.
- Drink this concoction every morning.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.Note: It’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your vinegar and honey drink so that the honey doesn’t contribute to dental cavities.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar has antioxidant and antibiotic properties that are quite beneficial for a healthy gut and colon (11). The antibiotic property of apple cider vinegar is due to the presence of a bacterium called acetobacter, which aids digestion and proper functioning of your gut. The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar increases the acid level in your stomach, eliminates toxins, and helps you lose weight (12).6. Raw Vegetable Juice
You Will Need
- Spinach OR Beetroot OR Carrot OR Tomato OR Cucumber
What You Have To Do
- Blend any or a combination of the vegetables mentioned above.
How Often You Should Do This
Several times during the day.Why This Works
If you opt for a natural colon cleanse, it is important that you stay away from cooked and processed foods for a short period. Drinking juices extracted from raw vegetables is quite helpful in cleansing your colon and detoxifying your body (13), (14), (15). You will also see a significant decrease in your weight and a glow on your skin.Note: Avoid canned or readymade juices as they lack the nutrients and minerals that are widely present in fresh juices. As much as possible, use organic vegetables, so you aren’t concentrating pesticides and herbicides in your juice.
7. Sea Salt
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of unrefined sea salt
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a tablespoon of unrefined sea salt to a glass of water and bring it to a boil.
- Cool and drink this solution in the morning.
- After consuming the saline water, massage your stomach gently in a downward direction, towards your colon.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this solution once every morning on an empty stomach.Note: Be prepared for a possible flushing action on your intestines with several loose bowel movements.
Why This Works
Intake of salt water increases your bowel movements and helps expel various toxins, bacteria, and accumulated feces from your colon. The sodium in the salt pulls water from your tissues into your intestines. Some of that fluid will contain toxins. Salt water colon cleansing is also comparatively safe and ensures that your body doesn’t lose too many electrolytes (16) because sea salt contains 72 minerals in trace amounts.8. Ginger
You Will Need
- 1-2 inches of ginger
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 2 cups of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Extract two teaspoons of ginger juice using a small juice press that’s usually used for garlic.
- Add this to two cups of hot water.
- Add the lemon juice and stir well.
- You can divide this solution into two or more parts and consume throughout the day.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this solution throughout the day.Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.
Why This Works
Ginger contains a bioactive compound called gingerol that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (17). It is often used to treat digestive problems and reduce weight. You’ve probably heard of it for treating the nausea of seasickness or car sickness. Ginger stimulates the secretion of digestive juices to aid digestion, which, in turn, helps in cleansing your colon (18), (19).9. Magnesium Citrate
You Will Needs
- 2-4 teaspoons of magnesium citrate powder
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add magnesium citrate to a glass of warm water and mix well.
- Drink this solution every morning.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily.Why This Works
Magnesium citrate is widely used as a laxative. It softens the stool and causes frequent bowel movements, thereby making it easy to cleanse the colon completely (20). It also helps in losing weight and promotes your overall health.Caution
Only take this amount of magnesium citrate for one week because increased bowel movements can cause mineral loss.10. Flaxseeds
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of powdered flaxseeds
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Take a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and mix it with a glass of warm water.
- Consume this mixture 30 minutes before you have breakfast and before going to bed.
- You can also add some honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this mixture twice a day.Note: Keep ground flaxseeds in the freezer because they go rancid very quickly.
Why This Works
Flaxseeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. The daily consumption of flaxseeds is a sure shot way to cleanse your colon due to the combined bulking effect and laxative effect of its compounds. While the omega-3s are wonderful for your overall health, the antioxidants and fiber in flaxseeds can help increase your bowel movements to get rid of all the toxins from your body (21), (22), (23).11. Aloe Vera Juice
You Will Need
- 200 mg of aloe vera gel
- 1-2 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Add two teaspoons of lemon juice to a cup or two of water.
- To this, add 200 mg of aloe vera gel and blend well.
- Refrigerate the aloe vera juice for 3 to 4 hours and consume it.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink small quantities of the prepared aloe vera juice multiple times a day.Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after you have this drink.
Why This Works
Aloe can help increase the bowel movements. And the presence of several vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants imparts exceptional detoxifying and laxative properties to aloe vera, which can help cleanse your colon (24), (25), (26).12. Supplements
There are many powdered and liquid supplements available that help in cleansing your colon. They include magnesium, enzymes, herbal teas, and laxatives (27). Some of these supplements are to be taken orally, while some need to be taken as a rectal enema. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking supplements for colon cleansing.13. Baking Soda
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of warm water.
- Consume this solution every morning.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this solution once every morning.Note: Baking soda neutralizes stomach acid as it raises the pH of your stomach, so take it an hour away from eating so that it won’t interfere with the acid in your stomach and its ability to digest your food.
Why This Works
Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. Its basic nature helps in balancing the pH of your stomach. Baking soda is one of the most commonly used home remedies to treat indigestion due to its laxative nature (28). When the baking soda solution enters the gut, it causes water to be pulled into the intestines by a process called osmosis. This softens the stool and increases its volume, thereby helping in cleansing your colon easily.Caution
Be very careful to only use half a teaspoon at a time. Large amounts will shift the pH drastically and can even have fatal effects.14. Coconut Oil
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil
- Lemon juice (optional)
- Yogurt (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Consume organic coconut oil multiple times until you have had 14 tablespoons of it in a day.
- Do not consume any solid food during this period, which usually lasts from 3 to 7 days.
- Before following the coconut oil detox diet, you can try taking a teaspoon of coconut oil, thrice daily, along with your normal diet and see if the taste and the feel of it suits you.
- If the taste of coconut oil is “too oily”, you can add some lemon juice or yogurt.
- If you are planning to go for a coconut oil detox, it is important that you are well-versed with its potential side effects before going ahead with the procedure.
How Often You Should Do This
Consume coconut oil multiple times daily for 3 to 7 days.Why This Works
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (like lauric acid), which give it its powerful antioxidant properties. These fatty acids help in the removal of toxic substances from your body in a short period. Coconut oil not only cleanses your colon but also combats Candida albicans and other digestive problems and improves your overall health (29), (30).Caution
Pregnant women should stay away from the coconut oil detox diet. Individuals suffering from chronic diseases should consult with their health practitioner.15. Castor Oil
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil
- 1-2 tablespoons of orange or lemon juice (unsweetened)
What You Have To Do
- Mix castor oil and orange or lemon juice in equal amounts.
- Drink this on an empty stomach, early in the morning.
- After every 15-30 minutes, drink a glass of hot water until you have emptied your bowel at least 2 to 3 times.
- Now, consume yogurt or some other fermented dairy product. This will stop your bowel movements.
How Often You Should Do This
You must only do this once in 1 or 2 months.Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after this drink.
Why This Works
Castor oil is a powerful laxative that increases your bowel movements quickly. The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has detoxifying and laxative effects (31), (32). It helps in cleansing your colon by expelling the unwanted toxins from your body.Caution
Pregnant women must avoid consuming castor oil as it can cause miscarriage.16. Green Tea
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of green tea
- 1 cup of hot water
- Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Steep a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water for at least 10 minutes.
- Allow it cool a little and add some honey.
- Consume the tea.
How Often You Should Do This
You can drink green tea 3 to 4 times daily.Why This Works
Green tea is an excellent remedy to cleanse and heal your body naturally (33). It contains catechins, a group of polyphenols that exhibit antioxidant properties and help in cleansing your colon (34).17. Cayenne Pepper
You Will Need
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add cayenne pepper powder, honey, and lemon juice to a glass of warm water.
- Mix well and consume it.
- Avoid consuming solid foods during this period.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 6 to 12 times daily for 10 days.Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.
Why This Works
The capsaicin in cayenne pepper helps in decreasing your appetite while increasing your bowel movements and helps eliminate toxins from your body (35), (36). Cayenne pepper also has antioxidant properties, and it detoxifies your system and improves your metabolism. Like all detox diets, a cayenne pepper detox diet helps you shed a few pounds.Caution
Some detox diets may include medical risks like dehydration, impaired functioning of bowels and metabolic acidosis. Consult your doctor before going ahead with such diets, especially if you are on any medication.Before deciding to go ahead with these remedies and emptying your colon and bowels, it is important that you are well aware of the risks and side effects that may arise following a natural colon cleanse. Some potential side effects and risks of colon cleansing are discussed below.
Health Risks And Side Effects Of Colon Cleansing
- Dizziness (which is often a symptom of dehydration)
- Mineral imbalance in your body
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramps
- Allergic reactions
- Expulsion of helpful gut flora
Prevention Tips
- Consume foods rich in fiber like cereals, whole grains, bran, oatmeal, fruits, and vegetables. This helps increase your bowel movements and enhances colon health.
- Increase your intake of fluids.
- Avoid use of tobacco.
- Decrease your alcohol intake.
- Once you turn 50, get yourself screened for colon cancer at regular intervals.
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