Colon Cleansing Importance to Detoxify Your Body from Toxins – Methods for Colon Cleansing
Did you know that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women [1], and the second biggest cause of cancer-related deaths in the US [2]? Therefore, taking care of your colon, which is in charge of soaking up water and getting rid of waste, is important. But how can you do that?
You might have heard about colon cleanses, which are also known as colonic treatments, hydro colon therapy, colonic irrigation, or colon detox. Also, you can find healthy detox drinks recipes for body cleansing. They’re often talked about as a way to keep your colon healthy, but do they have any medical benefits? In this article, we’ll talk about colon cleansing in detail and also recommend some effective methods for colon cleansing. So follow along to get all the information you need.
Table of Contents
What Is Colon Cleanse?
It’s a procedure, also known as colonic hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation, where a hygienist puts a small tube into your rectum and sends lots of water into your colon [3]. Sometimes, they add things like herbs or coffee to the water, which some folks think helps clean the colon and make you more regular [4]. But Dr. Reickert points out, “There’s no scientific proof that these things actually improve your health [5].”
Instead of going through the procedure, many people choose to use colon cleansing supplements. These can be laxatives or herbal teas that you can buy without a prescription.
Common Ways to Clean Your Stomach
There are two main methods for colon cleansing [6]: using specific products or seeing a pro for a colon irrigation. One easy way is to use stuff like liquid or powder supplements that you swallow. Some products are also put into your bottom. These stomach-cleaning products can be enzymes, herbal teas, enemas, laxatives (both mild and strong kinds), and magnesium.
Another one of methods for colon cleansing is to go pro with colon irrigation. It’s kind of like an enema but with more water. The pro might use different water pressures and temperatures. They might also add stuff like coffee, herbs, enzymes, and probiotics [7].
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks of a Natural Colon Cleanse
Some folks believe in this old idea called autointoxication. They think that certain foods, like meat that doesn’t get digested properly, can make mucus build up in your colon. They say this mucus makes toxins that get into your blood and mess up your whole body. They think colon cleanses can help get rid of this mucus and toxins, making your immune system stronger [8].
But there’s not enough proof to say if colon cleanses really do all this good stuff. And if you do them too much, they can be really bad for you. They might cause problems like eating issues, painful spasms in your colon, dehydration, holes in your bottom, or messed-up electrolytes.
If you want to try a colon cleanse, be careful. Talk to a good healthcare pro, especially if you’ve got health issues or take meds for things like heart or kidney problems.
But if you do a colon cleanse right, it might help you [9]:
- Lose weight
- Lower your chances of colon cancer
- Feel happier
- Think clearer
- Have a stronger immune system
What Are the Best Methods for Colon Cleansing?
You don’t need fancy stuff for a simple natural colon cleanse. Check out our methods for colon cleansing below:
Salt Water Flush for Colon Cleansing
The simplest recipe is a salt water flush. Salt draws water into your intestines, helping to flush out toxins and waste [10].
You’ll need:
- 4 cups of hot water
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- 2 tablespoons of pure lemon juice
- A jar with a lid or a glass
First, heat the water. Then, mix all ingredients in your jar and shake it well until the salt dissolves completely. Drink it right away. Afterward, lie on your side and gently massage your stomach in a clockwise direction to help things move along.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Mix to detoxify your body from toxins
Another easy recipe is mixing apple cider vinegar and raw honey. This combo can be good for your gut.
You’ll need:
- 8 ounces of lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered honey
- 2 tablespoons of quality apple cider vinegar
Fill your glass with warm water, add the vinegar, and stir in the honey. It’s best to drink this before bed and right after preparing it. You might feel some colon spasms the next day, signaling a bowel movement [11].
Spicy Lemonade Bomb
This tasty recipe is healthy and simple, using ingredients you probably already have.
You’ll need:
- 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- A pinch of ground ginger
- 1 cup of hot water
- Optional: a pinch of turmeric powder
Fill a cup with hot water, add lemon juice, and mix in honey and spices. Drink it right away. You might feel colon spasms soon after, signaling a bowel movement [12].
Precautions to Take During Colon Cleansing
If you’re thinking about trying the methods for colon cleansing, it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor first, especially if you have health issues or take meds. Here are some other things to keep in mind [13]:
- Know what herbs and other stuff are being used.
- Drink water before and after.
- If you’re getting colonic hydrotherapy, make sure the equipment is disposable.
- Maybe think about improving your colon health naturally instead.
How to Improve Your Colon Health
You know methods for colon cleansing by now. But here are some tips to make your colon healthier without doing a cleanse [4,9,14]:
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat five to nine servings of fruits and veggies every day.
- Have a diet high in fiber to keep your bowels regular.
- Eat foods like berries, garlic, onions, leeks, green tea, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.
- Cut back on red meat.
- Eat foods that are naturally fermented, like kimchi, yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, to boost your gut health.
- Exercise regularly.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. They can up your chances of colon cancer.
- If you’re at risk for colon cancer or you’re over 50, get regular colonoscopies to spot and remove any polyps before they turn into cancer.
Conclusion
Colon cleansing is an important action that needs to be done carefully. In this article, we covered all you need to know about protecting your colons and suggested healthy ways to get rid of the waste in your body. We hope you found it helpful!
References
[3] Cabot, S. (2014). Heathy Bowel Healthy Body: an A to Z guide to heal the bowel. SCB International.
[5] https://health.usnews.com/doctors/craig-reickert-69298
[9] McAllister, Jared. “Colon Cleanse Benefits–Why You Should Start Cleansing NOW!.” (2023).
[10] https://draxe.com/beauty/salt-water-flush-recipe/
[11] Horak, Katarina. Body Detox. Katarina Horak Books LLC, 2012.
