Lemonade Cleanse Ingredients

The lemonade cleanse, also known as the Master Cleanse, the lemon cleanse or the lemonade diet, is a detoxification and weight loss program. According to the American Heart Association, the Master Cleanse is considered a fad diet, because it involves ingesting the same food, a lemonade mixture, throughout the duration of the cleanse. Stanley Burroughs, the creator of the Master Cleanse, was not a doctor. Use the Master Cleanse only while under a doctor's care.

Lemon Juice

The Master Cleanse lemonade recipe calls for 2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice per glass of the mixture, says Burroughs in his book, "The Master Cleanser." Squeeze 2 tbsp. of lemon juice through a strainer into a tall glass. If possible, use organic lemon juice. The lemon juice is purported to cleanse the digestive tract during the diet.

Maple Syrup

Pour 2 tbsp. of maple syrup into the glass and mix with the lemon juice. Burroughs suggests using grade B maple syrup, which is not as purified as grade A maple syrup. In the lemonade mixture, the maple syrup provides a negligible amount of calories and nutrients to keep the body energized throughout the detoxification process.

Cayenne Pepper

Mix 1/10 tsp. of ground cayenne pepper powder into the lemonade mixture, says Burroughs. If you can't grind the cayenne pepper yourself, cayenne pepper bought in a shaker is also effective. The spiciness of cayenne pepper is supposed to clear away mucus and toxins in the digestive tract and to help the bowels to clear out completely.

Water

After stirring the cayenne pepper, lemon juice and maple syrup completely, fill the glass with 8 oz. of water. Use purified water, filtered water or spring water, if possible. The water helps flush the toxins out of the body, says Burroughs. Drink the mixture as often as desired throughout the day to help curb hunger and detox the body. Consume only the lemonade mixture and water for the duration of the diet, says Burroughs.