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Herbal Cleanse After-Effects

An herbal cleanse, or colon cleanse, is a product designed to rid your body of environmental toxins, harmful bacteria and excess weight. Cleansers contain natural ingredients, including psyllium, senna and cascara sagrada, herbs that function as mild natural laxatives. Manufacturers claim that herbal cleanses help your digestive system work properly to excrete excess body waste. Though an herbal cleanse offers immediate positive results, it often leads to negative after effects when used regularly.

  1. Weight Loss and Dehydration

    • Rapid weight loss is one of the after-effects of using an herbal cleanse, due to your reduction in caloric intake during your cleansing regimen. The majority of the weight loss occurs because of loss of fluids and consistent bowel movements. Because your body is removing large amounts of waste in a short period of time, you suffer from dehydration. Drink lots of water to counteract the excess loss. You also regain this weight when you return to your regular diet and fluid intake.

    Electrolyte Imbalance

    • Herbal cleanses cause electrolyte imbalances, a condition that leads to kidney damage and heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Electrolytes are the minerals in the body, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium, that balance your body's fluids such as blood and water, says MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. If you use a herbal colon cleanse, drink beverages with electrolytes to replenish the digestive system.

    Bowel Perforation

    • MayoClinic.com says bowel perforation, also called gastrointestinal perforation, occurs from using herbal cleaners. This condition leads to holes in linings of the stomach, small and large intestines and gallbladder. MedlinePlus outlines symptoms of bowel perforation, which includes severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, chills and bloody stool. See your doctor immediately if you require emergency surgery.

    Reaction to Ingredients

    • Herbal cleanses do not contain the chemicals present in over-the-counter laxatives; however, natural ingredients also have negative side effects. Reaction to herbal colon cleansing ingredients are potentially life-threatening. Psyllium husks contain fiber that promotes digestion, but allergic reactions to this ingredient include hives, skin rashes and airway constriction, says the Global Healing Center. Senna toxicity causes severe diarrhea, liver problems and tissue damage, and cascara sagrada poses serious health problems like colon lesions, rectal bleeding and liver swelling.

    Alternatives to Herbal Cleanses

    • You body contains natural functions designed to fight environmental toxins and bacterial infections. Eating a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, exercising and getting enough sleep helps the body's natural cleaning system work properly. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also promotes weight loss. If you decide to try an herbal cleanse, talk to your doctor about this treatment.

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