The Best Ways to Cleanse the Colon Without Taking Pills

Colon cleansing is promoted as a way to remove toxins from the body, and thereby improve overall health. Most of the toxins that sit in the colon are there because the stools are not moving through the colon efficiently, causing impacted matter to remain on the walls. There are many pills and colon cleanse products on the market today, but if you want to save money and the risk of possible negative side effects, try cleansing your colon by using natural products and making some lifestyle changes.

Dietary Changes

• The best method to cleanse the colon, and keep it clean, involves making dietary changes that are not just temporary, but become part of your daily routine. These changes involve eating more fiber, drinking more water and using some natural herbs. Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, help cleanse the colon. The Mayo Clinic reports that dietary fiber keeps the colon healthy by increasing the size of and softening the stool, which helps prevent constipation. (Constipation is one of the main causes of an impacted colon.) Fiber also keeps the colon healthy by lowering your risk for diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Excellent fiber sources for colon cleansing are psyllium husks, flax seeds, nuts, beans, apples, oatmeal, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Papaya is an excellent fruit to add to your diet, as it is shown to have colon cleansing benefits. Not only is it loaded with fiber, papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which helps dissolve hardened waste material in the colon, and, according to Foodconsumer, the fiber in papaya binds to toxins in the colon that can cause cancer and keeps them away from healthy cells. Another way to keep your colon clean is to make sure you are getting enough water in your diet. According to Dr. Ben Kim, water keeps your waste material moving. If you do not have enough water in your system, constipation will more than likely occur. Water can be taken in by drinking water, or by eating foods with a high water content, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and most other fruits and vegetables.

Herbs

• There are a few herbs that are very effective at cleansing the colon. Senna is a popular one, and you can often find senna tea in the laxative section of your local pharmacy. According to the National Cancer Institute, senna works by causing large contractions in the colon. These contractions help push waste products on down through the colon, and help keep fecal matter off the walls. Chamomile flower and peppermint leaf are herbs that soothe the digestive system and are also widely available as teas. They can be found in your local health food store and some supermarkets. Before using any herbs, you must consult your physician. This is especially important if you are currently on medication for any medical condition, as there are many herbs, often used in the kits, that can interact with medications, either heightening their effects or making them so they do not work as well. Along with adding fiber and herbs to your diet, keep moving. The National Institutes of Health states that one reason fecal matter can become impacted, causing constipation and a build up in the colon, is lack of physical activity.