Tips for Herbal Colon Cleansing
Although herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for years in countries like China and India, their medical significance was not recognized in most of the West. It is only recently that people have started showing interest in these and a lot of research work is being carried out to understand the full potential of these herbs.
If we look at China we will see that the Chinese people not only use herbs as medicines but they also use them extensively in their food. Some claim that such use of herb in diet is the reason behind prolonged lives of the Chinese people. And not only do they live long, they are extremely healthy even at a very old age. Studies have also revealed that Chinese people have a very low rate of heart diseases.
There has been a general rise in the interest levels among many Americans about colon health. Even if it is still considered not a very pleasant topic to talk about but at least now they have the internet where they can learn and understand what the threats are. And what they are seeing is that herbs can play a significant role in ensuring that you have a healthy colon.
The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives are generally harmless and are alternatives to commercial laxatives. Colon cleanse herbs contain substances which fall under the category of anthraquinones. These would include cascara sagrada, rhubarb, and senna. That the herbs have laxative effects can be attributed to the presence of the anthraquinone substances.
In fact the herbs are quite strong and potent in their action with most herbs starting to show results within half a day of consumption. It would be wise to keep the next two days of your week free as you wouldn’t be able to go outside your home due to the several visits to the toilet that might be necessary. Since the herbs are so powerful you need to take them only in moderate amounts.
It must be understood that some of these herbs have severe side effects and if are used over a long period of time can cause organ damage including your liver, kidneys and the colon.
A sustained use of them can also develop a dependency where you will stop having regular bowel movement without the use of these herbs.
These herbs should also not be taken by pregnant women, nursing others and children.
Colon Cleansers Basics
Colon cleansers are quite simply food, laxatives or procedures, such as a colonic, used to stimulate the bowels into action producing a bowel movement.
Colon cleansers are thought by some to provide relief from toxins that fill our bodies while others believe that colon cleaners are nonsense and a complete waste of time. Some even believe that colon cleansers are harmful to the body as the colon itself was designed to handle a variety of bacteria and works quite naturally.
For those supporters of colon cleansing, it is believed that colon cleaners are good for conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, chronic fatigue, acid reflux (GERD), and even skin and hair problems.
Since most digestive problems are caused by a toxic build-up in the body, it is essential to flush the body of all toxic chemicals. This can only be done effectively with a colon cleanser.
In order to establish a healthy colon, you must regularly clean your colon just like you wash your body or brush your teeth. Food or products meant for colon cleansing are designed to cleanse and scrub the colon ridding the body of the toxins built up and ultimately leading to a healthier and "cleaner" life.
Colon cleansing must be done regularly and often since we are constantly taking in more food which leads to additional build up of toxic waste in the colon.
A common method of colon cleansing is to use specific herbs designed to stimulate action and the colon and get your bowels to move.
A commonly used herb for colon cleansing is senna. It is important to remember that you should not begin a colon cleansing or take herbs without first checking with your physician. At the time of this writing, the use of senna has not been evaluated for use by the FDA but has been used widely for years in more cultural and traditional settings, as opposed to Western medicine, to deal with issues such as constipation or desired colon cleansings.
Besides an herbal supplement colon cleansing other types of colon cleansers include colonics, enemas and cleansing through fasting.
Once you have begun a colon cleansing it is critical to begin to introduce good bacteria into your digestive system. This can be accomplished easily by taking probiotics supplements.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that when taken may improve the microflora of the intestines.
Advocates of colon cleansing believe that once the colon has been cleansed and probiotics have been replaced then the last step is to begin to take herbs, vitamins and minerals and amino acids to completely detoxify every cell in your body.
Once your body has been "cleansed" it is important to prevent your body from becoming toxic again and a healthy way to do so is take a dietary fiber supplement on a regular basis.
Other things that help to maintain a healthy colon include taking probiotics, eating high-fiber diet and daily exercise program.
So do your homework, talk with your physician and decide if colon cleansing is for you.
Best Colon Cleansing Methods
Colon health and colon cleansing are topics that have only recently been much discussed. This can be directly attributed to the fact that the problems originating directly from the colon have been increasing every year and the colon cancer is something which is terrifying the whole nation these days. With most number of cases reported cases in the entire world and an increasing number of deaths due to colon cancer, colon health is one topic which the Americans can no longer neglect.
To ensure that your colon is in its prime condition you should always get your colon cleansed at regular intervals. There are various methods which you can use to get your colon cleansed. While some are expensive, some are quite affordable and while some can be administered at home, for some you need to pay visits to the therapist. The best method depends n your needs. What we will provide here is an outline of the various methods available.
Juice Fasting
It is better to practice juice fasting than simple fasting to get your colon in proper shape. Vegetables and fruits contain a lot of fiber in them and this helps in bowel movements. Since you are not consuming anything else there is nothing additional that gets deposited. However consuming entire fruits and vegetables would not be a nice idea as the fibers in that form can be harder to digest. When you take them in the form of a juice you are much likely to yield better results. Also the fact that since most fruits and vegetables have high nutritional value, your body will not be deprived of energy to work which would have been the case if it was a complete fast.
Colon Hydrotherapy
One of the most effective ways of getting your colon cleansed is to go for colon hydrotherapy. This process involves the insertion of a tube through your anus into the colon. Plenty of pure water is poured into the colon through the tube to flush out the contents of the colon. This is a natural method and doesn’t involve any use of drugs. A colon hydrotherapy program would require you to attend 10 to 12 sessions over a period of two months, each session spanning for something around 45 to 60 minutes.
Herbal Laxatives
The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives claim to be harmless and position themselves as alternatives to commercial laxatives. They further their claim saying that since they are natural, they are safe. The herbs are generally very strong and they start showing results in 6 to 12 hours time after consumption. They should be had only in moderate amounts as a prolonged use can have serious side effects.
Advantages of having a Colon Cleansed
If you think that too much of unwanted toxins have accumulated inside your colon it may be time for you to go for a colon cleanse. Excess of waste matter in your colon can cause you to feel sick and depressed. On the other hand a clean colon will make you feel healthier and happier. So if you want a better life and make the most of it then get your colon cleansed.
One of the great benefits of having your colon cleansed is to lose excess weight. Of course having your colon cleaned will reduce your weight directly by quite a few pounds. But a clean colon will mean that you would be able to digest your food better. So you would no longer feel uncomfortable and would tend to stay away from junk foods. Since a major cause of binging is depression and having a clean colon helps you stay happy and cheerful, there is less chance of you going for a binging bout.
It must be understood that our country has the most number of reported cases of colon cancer among both men and women. This should obviously tell us to take extra care of our colon. Colon cleansing is a very important part of that process of care. As you are more aware of your colon health you will reduce the chances of colon cancer by that much.
A clean colon also has a very positive effect on your mind. You will no longer feel tired or depressed. You will remain always cheerful and there would be renewed interest in life. You will once again be ready to do things which you would have been afraid of lately. In fact it is told that having a clean colon also improves one’s sex drive.
Eliminating waste from your body can also ensure that you will have less of aches and pains. The toxins produced by the waste matter are often held responsible for headaches. You will no longer need to worry about those headaches any more. Get your colon cleansed and such headaches will be a thing of the past.
Undergoing a colon cleansing program will also make you look good with a skin that will glow and feel much better. The effects of ageing are significantly reduced if you go for colon cleansing. After the process you will not only feel younger, you will look much younger too.
Basics of Colon Cleansing
The chief function of our colon is to drive away the waste material and bacteria inside our body and absorb water along with mineral salts so that the fluid and electrolyte balance is maintained. When a colon, because of impacted fecal matter cannot perform these functions normally, toxins are created inside our body which can spread all through our body and may be absorbed by the fluids inside our body.
A variety of health problems can be attributed to unclear colons – from abdominal pain to constipation to general lack of energy all can be caused by an unhealthy bowel. That the bowel is unhealthy can be because of consumption of toxic substances regularly which would include caffeine, sugar, white flour, microwave-cooked food, hydrogenated fats and deep fried foods. All these food substances can lead to huge amounts of deposits in the colon which it is not able to deal with.
The best way to do away with all these wastes is to go for a colon cleansing. It is the natural way to treat your colon. And there isn’t much hassle too. After cleansing your colon you would definitely notice a significant change, and in a way it would change the way you lead your life. The best thing about colon cleansing is that you can start right away and you would not require much preparation.
The first step towards colon cleansing is to alter your regular diet. The normal diet we have is full of processed foods. So what we miss out on is fiber. Fiber actually helps to clean our system. Without enough of it, our bowels never quite become clear. So we must increase our fiber intake. It should be anything between 25-30 grams everyday. It can be either consumed dissolved in water or with your food.
Water is another critical element in getting your colon clean. There is a simple method to calculate how much water you need for your body. Whatever your weight be in pounds drink half of it in ounces. So if you weigh 200 pounds, then drink 100 ounces of water which would be approximately 2.5 liters.
These are two basic things you can do to cleanse your colon. If continued over a considerable period of time, your colon would be healthy as it never had been. But you will have to continue this practice. All you got to do is to have enough fiber in your diet, and drink lots of non-carbonated water.
Is Colon Cleansing Safe?
Colon cleansing is the process of introducing gentle jets of water into the large intestine for washing away waste matter and toxins. But is colon cleansing safe and what exactly does it involve? Preserving colon health is imperative for many reasons, with the most important being the role of the large intestine in evacuating organic waste from the body. Roughly the shape of a large letter âMâ, the colon ranges in length from between four and a half to five and a half feet and is about two and a half inches wide. While the small intestine is wedged between the stomach and liver, the colon stops at the anus.
The colon is the portion of the digestive tract responsible for temporarily holding waste before it exits the body. Substandard colon health can impede the body’s ability to properly dispose of waste. In fact, a contaminated colon can potentially lead to other medical conditions including:
- Digestive Disorder
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Problem Skin (acne)
- Fatigue
When properly administered, colon cleansing has proven to be very safe, especially with recent updates in equipment and technique. Enemas were the old-fashioned answer to the colon cleansing dilemma. Unfortunately, enemas are also to blame for many concerns over colon cleansing safety. Enemas differ from bowel irrigation in their value; enemas typically cleanse only the lower 20% of the colon. With roughly eighty percent of the large intestine left untreated by an enema, the procedure doesnât provide the same effectiveness as modern colon hydrotherapy. Some of the health benefits associated with colonic irrigation:
- Removal of Trapped Fecal Matter
- Expulsion of harmful bacteria
- Encouraged growth of beneficial intestinal flora
- Improved colorectal muscular activity
- Expulsion of harmful organisms
Other than water irrigation, many variations of digestive health treatments have emerged with colon cleansing being the chief aim. In fact, you can now obtain colon cleansing supplements featuring organic compounds to help the colon cleanse and heal itself. For example, Oxy-Powder® works by activating oxygen within the intestinal tract and is an excellent choice for helping to maintain colon efficiency along with your colon hydrotherapy sessions. Even though colon hydrotherapy has existed for years, the ultimate question remainsâis colon cleansing safe?
Frequent Colon Cleansing Safety Concerns
When it comes to the question of safety, there are a number of common colon cleansing concerns:
- Pain: Some individuals base their decisions on a simple ideaâdoes it hurt? Colon hydrotherapy is routinely described as “reinvigorating” or “refreshing.”
- Penetration of Treatments: Just how deeply the colon cleansing apparatus enters the body is another top safety concern. Enemas affect only the first eight to twelve inches of the colon. Colon cleansing treatments penetrate more deeply so as to provide a thorough cleansing for the entire length of the colon, but are relatively safe if administered by a hydrotherapy specialist.
- Risk of Infection: Perhaps one of the biggest concerns with colon cleansing concerns potential exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses. Modern advances in colon cleansing equipment, like the use of disposable pre-sterilized hoses and tips, help ensure a germ-free colon cleansing experience.
But Is Colon Cleansing Safe?
Colon irrigation promotes no direct side effects. Nonetheless, the process of eliminating toxins can cause some minor intestinal problems. Once the mucous buildup begins to leave the body, minute amounts may be reabsorbed along the way. The toxin absorption can result in cold or flue like symptoms (which may include nausea, headaches, and dizziness) but will ultimately reverse itself once the outflow diminishes. In fact, getting rid of all that toxic debris can lead to increased energy, mental clarity, and overall feelings of wellbeing.
Proper Colon Cleansing
Variations in bowel irrigation techniques also promote increased safety. For example, modern hydrotherapy systems, like colon cleansing board kits, utilize temperature-controlled water for cleansing the colon. Recent developments include a specially designed speculum to assist in delivering the water into the large intestine gently to reduce the possibility of tissue damage. Additionally, colon hydrotherapy equipment also maintains the water pressure and temperature so the cleansing is conducted at a uniform rate. Therefore, via a combination of advancements in material technology and the application of the cleansing by a professional, you can be assured colon cleansing can be a very safe procedure indeed!
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Why Shouldn’t Colon Cleansing Herbs be used over a Long Period of Time?
The concept of cleansing the colon has been there for sometime now. In fact if we go back in time, the very first mention of colon cleansing can be traced as far back as the Egyptian civilization. In fact the Egyptians believed that the root of all physical ailments can be traced back to the colon. So, most of the treatment that they practiced was targeted in getting the colon work properly.
Practitioners of conventional medicine strongly disagree with such a theory. However, what modern practitioners of alternative medicine tend to put across is that even if not all physical ailments can be traced to an unclean colon, a significant number of diseases are caused because of an unclean colon. There are also a number of people who report a remarkable improvement in their health after a colon cleansing.
One can use colon cleansing herbs to induce bowel movements and thereby clean the colon. Projected as alternatives to commercial laxatives there are genuine risks attached to having such herbs. Some of the most popular colon cleanse herbs are cascara sagrada, rhubarb, senna, etc. All these herbs contain substances called anthraquinones. These are the key substances responsible for the laxative effects of the herbs. But the risks associated in consuming these herbs over a long period of time are serious.
These herbs used as laxatives are quite potent and they start to show action almost as soon as they are administered. Effects begin in anything between six to twelve hours after the first dose. What this suggests is that continuing to have them beyond a week in a row can really be too much for your colon to handle. Your colon should be completely cleansed in a period of seven days. Also if they are to work, they will in the first seven days. So there would be hardly any point in continuing with them if they don’t yield results in a week.
There is also the possibility of you developing a dependency for such kind of products if you continue to use them for longer periods.
The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives are generally harmless and are alternatives to commercial laxatives. Colon cleanse herbs contain substances which fall under the category of anthraquinones. These would include cascara sagrada, rhubarb, and senna. That the herbs have laxative effects can be attributed to the presence of the anthraquinone substances.
If you don’t think that your problem of constipation is serious and you are not facing any severe ailments which conventional medicine is not adequate to handle, then it is sensible to stay away from the colon cleansing products and therapies. Just increasing fiber content in your regular diet should work.
Colon Cleanser Tablets
Colon cleanser tablets are an excellent way to keep your colon clean and healthy. To ensure good results and to keep your body safe, you need to know how to select the right colon cleanser tablets from the many available on the market.
Reasons for Using Colon Cleanser Tablets
As the name implies, colon cleanser tablets are used to clean out the colon. Cleansing the colon should be a part of your regular health routine to help keep your overall health at its optimum level.
You may be surprised to realize the importance of the colon regarding overall health. The reasons are very simple. In response to the foods you eat, your colon naturally produces mucus and sludge to protect itself during the digestive process. The more unhealthy foods you eat, the more mucus and sludge your colon produces. Unfortunately, this mucus and sludge tends to become built up on the inner colon wall and makes it difficult for waste to pass through. Thereafter, constipation may develop.
In addition to causing constipation, the accumulated sludge releases toxins into your bloodstream. These toxins spread throughout your body, causing your immune system to weaken, ultimately leading to many illnesses such as allergies, skin rashes, and general fatigue.
To help keep the colon clean and prevent the spread of toxins within your system, you should use colon cleanser tablets. Using the right colon cleansing tablets will flush out your system and remove the waste from the walls of your colon.
Selecting Colon Cleansing Tablets
If you have been searching for colon cleansing tablets already, you have probably discovered literally dozens of different tablets are available. How are you supposed to determine which colon cleanser tablets are right for you?
You should consider several factors when shopping for colon cleanser tablets. The first thing you need to consider is whether or not the colon cleanser tablets are oxygen-based. Oxygen-based colon cleansers, such as Oxy-Powder®, are capable of liquefying the waste built up on your colon wall. This allows it to be released more easily from your body while also leaving your colon cleansed and healthy.
Many colon cleanser tablets can be detrimental to your health. For example, colon cleanser tablets relying on a laxative effect should be avoided. These types of colon cleanser tablets do not actually cleanse the colon. Rather, they soften the stool that was going to be released anyway. As a result, the mucus and sludge that has built up on your colon walls is not removed. Also, your colon can become dependent upon the supplement, which means you will not be able to eliminate waste properly unaided. On the other hand, oxygen-based colon cleanser tablets are not addictive.
You also need to be careful to select colon cleansing tablets made with fresh ingredients. To save money, some manufacturers use ingredients that are nearly expired or they use parts of plants containing less of the active ingredient than the actual source. This results in tablets that are not potent or that do not provide the proper effect. In some cases, the ingredients may expire and can actually upset your colon or make your digestive problems worse.
Colon cleansing tablets including a variety of ingredients are more effective than those relying on a single ingredient. In fact, some single ingredient colon cleansing tablets can be too abrasive and can damage your digestive system. Those colon cleansing tablets (made solely from Psyllium husks for example) can be detrimental if used too frequently.
Recognizing When Colon Cleansing Tablets are Effective
There are a number of ways to determine whether or not your colon cleansing tablets are effective. First, the appearance of your stool can help you determine if you are achieving success. If your colon cleanser tablets are cleansing the mucus from your colon, you will notice that your stool is shiny. It will probably be dark in color as well, which will help you differentiate between colon cleanser tablets that cause diarrhea and those that are actually cleansing the colon.
You may also lose some weight after using quality colon cleansing tablets. This weight is not fat. Rather, it is weight lost from finally emptying the accumulated waste from your colon. Some people lose as much as 20 pounds after cleansing their colons. Even if you donât lose weight, most people feel lighter after a successful colon cleansing.
Colon cleansing tablets are beneficial to your digestive system as well as your body. Just choose the right tablets in order to obtain the results you desire.
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Who Needs a Colon Cleansing?
Before we go into the details of who actually should consider going for a colon cleansing it is better to understand what colon cleansing is and what are the different methods in which it can be achieved.
Colon cleansing is not something new and its roots can be traced back to as far as the Egyptian civilization when colon was thought to be the cause of all ailments. The idea was pretty much in vogue even during Restoration England. There has been a renewed interest in colon cleansing in the recent years. Colon cleansing is performed to keep the colon completely free of any toxic substances. It is also ensured that the colon retains its proper shape and size and can function at its optimal levels.
Today colon cleansing is possible following different methods.
Colon Hydrotherapy
One of the most effective ways of getting your colon cleansed is to go for colon hydrotherapy. This process involves the insertion of a tube through your anus into the colon. Plenty of pure water is poured into the colon through the tube to flush out the contents of the colon. This is a natural method and doesn’t involve any use of drugs. A colon hydrotherapy program would require you to attend 10 to 12 sessions over a period of two months, each session spanning for something around 45 to 60 minutes.
Herbal Laxatives
The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives claim to be harmless and position themselves as alternatives to commercial laxatives. They further their claim saying that since they are natural, they are safe. The herbs are generally very strong and they start showing results in 6 to 12 hours time after consumption. They should be had only in moderate amounts as a prolonged use can have serious side effects.
Oxygen-based Mixture
There is another form of natural colon cleanser which is available today in the market. It is an oxygen based formula. The mixture reacts chemically with the hydrochloric acid present in our stomach. After the chemical reaction takes place the fecal matter, also known as the plaque, would melt into a liquid and gas. This then can be easily expelled.
So who needs to go for a colon cleansing.
An unclean colon can be the cause of several ailments like indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, body odor, acne, mucus colitis, gas, fatigue, obesity etc. If you are suffering from any of these problems you can give colon cleansing a shot.
Take Care of Your Colon
The way we lead our lives these days and the kind of food we have, it is no wonder that our colon is burdened with more than it can cope with. With the tendency towards having highly processed food, one of the most critical elements of our diet fiber is being left out. The result has been in many cases irregular bowel movements, constipation, severe stomach aches etc. To counter such problems many people are seeking an alternative in colon cleansing.
The chief function of our colon is to drive away the waste material and bacteria inside our body and absorb water along with mineral salts so that the fluid and electrolyte balance is maintained. When a colon, because of impacted fecal matter cannot perform these functions normally, toxins are created inside our body which can spread all through our body and may be absorbed by the fluids inside our body.
Our colon is made to handle anything between 5 to 25 pounds of waste matter at a time. But since our dietary habits and our lifestyle have gone through a significant change our colon often finds it difficult to deal with the huge accumulation that happens every day. Before it starts showing serious problems it is always a good idea to get our colon cleansed. This will ensure nothing serious happens in the long run and we can enjoy a fit and healthy body all our life.
One of the most effective ways of getting your colon cleansed is to go for colon hydrotherapy. This process involves the insertion of a tube through your anus into the colon. Plenty of pure water is poured into the colon through the tube to flush out the contents of the colon. This is a natural method and doesn’t involve any use of drugs. So it is completely safe in that sense. It may be a bit weird feeling for the first time you experience it but you get used to it in subsequent sessions. A colon hydrotherapy program would require you to attend 10 to 12 sessions over a period of two months, each session spanning for something around 45 to 60 minutes. At the end of the program you get a colon that is free, clean and healthy. You will find new energy in yourself and a renewed interest in life and its activities. A colon cleanse can literally change your life.