Ingredients In Ultimate Cleanse

The ingredients in Irwin Naturals Ultimate Cleanse are meant to detoxify your body while promoting digestive function, according to product literature. This cleanse involves a two-part program, one of which involves a multiherb formulation. You take a multifiber formulation during the other part of the program. Several herbal ingredients come into play during the initial phase of your cleanse. Since herbs can have side effects and may interact with medications, you need to be familiar with the product's ingredient list and consult a health care provider before trying the Ultimate Cleanse program.

Yellow Dock Root

The yellow dock root in the Ultimate Cleanse formulation has stimulant laxative properties, according to "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide," by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox. This herb also is one of the primary ingredients in essiac, a folk remedy meant to treat cancer. It contains rhein and emodin, phytochemicals that exhibit anti-tumor activity in laboratory animals, according to Grossberg and Fox. Yellow dock can irritate mucous membranes, and also may cause side effects like nausea and vomiting. It can interfere with drugs meant to treat an iron deficiency, and can increase risk for low blood potassium levels when taken with drugs including acetazolamide, etozolin and torsemide. It also can increase risk of drug toxicity when taken along with digitalis.

Slippery Elm and Marshmallow

Slippery elm and marshmallow both contain mucilage. This is a gummy substance that can reduce irritation and when mixed with water forms a gel-like coating, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Both can soothe your stomach and throat, while slippery elm also soothes your intestines. Slippery elm spurs increased mucus secretion in your intestines by stimulating your gastrointestinal tract's nerve endings, according to UMMC. These herbs can slow absorption of other supplements or medications.

Detoxifiers

Dandelion root and milk thistle extract both are used to detoxify the liver. Germany's regulatory authority for herbs, Commission E, approves milk thistle for treating liver as well as gallbladder complaints, though the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises that evidence for this use is not conclusive because of design and reporting flaws in studies. Dandelion also is used to support kidney function, according to UMMC, and acts as a diuretic. The ginger root in this formulation also supports liver function along with boosting circulation and promotes sweating, says Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "The Fat Flush Foods."

Kidney and Digestive Support

Horsetail and alfalfa both are traditionally used to treat kidney stones. Germany's Commission E approves horsetail for this use and for treating urinary tract infections. Meanwhile, papaya is a traditional digestive aid, according to Drugs.com, and fennel and peppermint are both used to treat dyspeptic issues like heartburn and bloating, with fennel getting the nod for this use from Commission E and NCCAM advising that science backs peppermint as an aid for irritable bowel syndrome.