Colon Cleansing Last updated: Jul 17, 2008

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Many natural doctors consider a toxic colon as the source of many other symptoms. The colon can easily become a disease-friendly environment, in need of cleansing. Making sure your colon is cleansed from time to time can help prevent seemingly unrelated health problems. A slower transit time (normal is 18 to 24 hours) allows more toxic substances to be generated and absorbed. An underactive toxic bowel opens the door to disease and can also cause the immune system to become depressed.

Although the claim is made that nearly everyone has impacted toxic material present in the bowel, such claims are not supported by science. Mucous plaques and old hardened fecal material do exist, but in a smaller percentage of people than claimed. If you have ever seen heavy or ropey strings of mucous in your stool, your changes of needing colon cleansing today are increased.

A colon cleansing program, available from any health food store, should have two parts – One from each end of the GI tract!

1. Oral Preparations - should contain soluble fibers, possibly various herbs and a bentonite clay. Any bulk (fiber) laxative will work, although individual reactions must be taken into account. Some may contain cathartics like senna and cascara. These may be taken timed around meals or during a water or juice fasting program. Probiotics are a good idea to take during this time to help maintain a healthy bacterial population in the large intestine.

Examples of herbs which may be contained in a formula include:
Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), fenugreek seed extract (Trigonella foenum), slippery elm bark (Ulmas fulva), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) along with many others.
There are Bitter herbs (wormwood, gentian, yarrow, turmeric, golden seal, aloe, willow bark) astringent herbs (comfrey root, slippery elm, bayberry bark, myrrh, cranesbill), spicy herbs (black & red peppers, ginger, mustard seeds, cardamom, basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, garlic) and calming herbs (lavender, catnip, comfrey, valerian root). A formula that seems too harsh should be changed or the dosage reduced.

2. Colon Cleansing Procedures - include doing an enema, using a colema board or having colonic irrigations done by a professional. A typical enema uses only a quart of solution at a time, but when used as a coffee enema can have more of a cleansing effect than a water enema. Having colonics or using a colema board is more effective but also costs more than a simple enema.

The typical program will involve taking the oral preparation multiple times per day with a colon cleansing procedure perhaps once per day. Remember to drink lots of water during this time.

 
 

Colon Cleansing can help with the following:
 
 
Environment / Toxicity  General Detoxification Requirement
 Colonics or enemas, especially coffee enemas, are a routine part of many detoxification programs because they reduce the amount of toxic material found in the large intestine. Many of these compounds find their way into the general circulation, contributing to fatigue, foggy thinking and further burdening the liver.

Infections
  Colds and Influenza
 Cleansing the bowel with an enema or colonic using several quarts of warm soda water at 100-105°F (37.8-40.5°C), followed by a small cool soda enema at about 80°F (26.7°C) is a time honored way of hastening recovery. Do not give the warm enema without the cool enema following it.

Most of the mucous from the respiratory tract is swallowed and waste to be expelled from this mucous makes its way to the colon. During an illness like a cold, viral particles remain in quantity in the colon. The gentle washing away of the bulk of this material allows the immune system to focus on the respiratory tract rather than maintain a second larger front in the colon. This is one reason why almost all doctors in the preantibiotic era recommended enemas, or at the least laxatives with colds. The use of enemas gives immediate relief of symptoms and helps to concentrate the immune response where it is needed.

  Parasite, Blastocystosis (Blastocystis Hominis)
 Bowel cleansing may be necessary in order to eliminate Blastocystis. The reason for this is the old mucus or old fecal matter lining the intestinal tract must be broken down and eliminated to physically wash out the Blastocystis. Other treatments are then able to make full contact with the Blastocystis, which may be stuck to the intestinal lining. Colonics or enemas containing agents to kill the organism can help.

Skin-Hair-Nails
  Adult Acne
 Keep the colon clean by a series of colonics or enemas. Bowel toxins from poor digestion or a prolonged transit time may contribute to acne.
 
 


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GLOSSARY

Astringent:  Agent causing contraction, especially after topical application.

Colon:  The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.

Gastrointestinal:  Pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Herbs:  Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.

Immune System:  A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation.

Laxative:  A substance (food, herb, chemical) that stimulates evacuation of the bowels. Examples include cascara sagrada, senna, castor oil, aloe vera, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein and many others.