Colon Cleanse Procedures

There is a great debate over the necessity of colon cleansing. Those in favor of it will say it is a natural way to remove built up toxins from the walls of your intestine, ultimately improving your health. Those against it will say the natural bacteria in the intestine detoxifies the food waste. There is no apparent evidence to support the claims made by either side; this means the only decision you need to make is the method you will use if and when you use colon cleansing as a means of detoxification for your body.

Understanding Your Colon

• Your colon plays one of the most important roles in your body; it is responsible for the digestion of the food you eat, so the nutrients are distributed to the rest of your organs. It is located between the stomach and the rectum and is divided into two parts: the small and large intestine. The walls of your intestines can become clogged from time to time with undigested food and toxins, which may result in health problems such as allergies, headaches, fatigue, weight gain, and constipation. This is when some people choose to use some method of colon cleansing to rid their bodies of these harmful toxins.

Herbal Supplements and Drinks

• This is perhaps the most popular method of colon cleansing used, and there are a variety of colon cleansing kits available on the market, both online and in department stores. These supplements come in either a pill form or a powder form, which is mixed into water or juice. Most claim to be all natural and are comprised of a variety of herbs that have a natural cleansing property. Some of the more commonly used herbs include Psyllium husk, Indian gooseberry, and Eclipta alba. It is important to use or take these supplements only as directed, and only for the length of time recommended by the company. If you exceed either, you may find your body has formed a dependency on the supplement, resulting in an inability to have a bowel movement without it.

Hydrotherapy

• Also known as colonic irrigation, this method uses water to cleanse the intestines. The hydrotherapist will insert a tube into your rectum, filling your intestine with up to 20 gallons of water. After a bit of time, roughly 20 minutes, he will flush the water, along with the impurities, through another tube. The process may be repeated, the entire session lasting up to an hour. During hydroptherapy, different water temperatures and pressures are used to achieve the desired results.

Enemas

• There is more than one type of enema that can be used to cleanse the colon, the most common being the prepackaged pouch containing specially formulated medication or herbs. The pouch has a nozzle attached to the end, which is inserted into the rectum. When the pouch is squeezed, the medication is inserted into the intestine where it remains for a period of time. Once you feel the need to release the medication, it is accompanied by the toxins that have been clogging the walls of your intestine.

Consideration

• If you have any health conditions or take any medications, check with your doctor before beginning a colon cleanse. You should also make a list of the herbs listed as ingredients in the supplements and drinks--not all herbs are safe. Be sure to drink plenty of water while completing your cleanse--you can easily become dehydrated as important electrolytes are flushed from your system along with the toxins and impurities. Finally, if you are performing a colon cleanse for the sole purpose of relieving constipation, try increasing your intake of fiber and water consumption first.