Things Needed for a Colon Cleanse

Colon cleansing is all the rage now, with specialized kits sold on TV infomercials and in magazines. While colon cleansing can be beneficial, it can also be expensive. If you want to do a colon cleanse and cut some of the cost, you can use several ingredients to do your own colon cleanse. These herbs and natural fibers are some of the main ingredients found in the more expensive ready-made kits currently found on the market.

Bentonite

• Bentonite is clay made from volcanic ash that works like a large sponge to absorb toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, molds and viruses from the body. The bentonite is negatively charged, and the particles of toxins are positively charged, which is what causes the toxins to attract and attach to the bentonite as it passes through the digestive tract.

Acai Berry

• The acai berry is the seed of the acai palm tree found throughout South America. It is high in antioxidants and in vitamin C. Recommended for use during a colon cleanse, acai berry is useful because the antioxidants help to remove free radicals from the body. It is available in pill, capsule and liquid form. Hundreds of acai berry supplements are available on the market, so you can choose whichever form best suits your tastes.

Dandelion

• Dandelion tea is also a good choice for colon cleansing. Dandelion is especially good for the digestive tract and is good for detoxifying the liver. While the milky latex sap from the dandelion is bitter, it is not poison. Often mixed with sugar or honey to make it more pleasant to take, dandelion roots make the best tonic for colon cleansing. The dandelion leaves and flowers, however, do not contain enough active ingredients to make an effective tonic.

Fennel Seed

• While fennel seed is a staple in the culinary pantry, it is also an extremely effective carminative. Fennel seed calms the digestive system and helps reduce gas and bloating. It can be quite strong when used alone in a colon cleanse, so it is recommended that one use it in conjunction with some form of fiber supplement.

Psyllium

• Psyllium is a natural high bulk fiber supplement made from the ground husks of the psyllium plant. Psyllium fiber pushes waste from the body as it passes through the digestive tract. During the natural contractions of the intestines to move their contents along, this bulk of fiber gathers waste products. These products are pushed out of the body along with the fiber. Psyllium fiber is gentle to the body and highly recommended as a colon-cleansing complement to the other ingredients above.