The Master Cleanse is a plan that includes the drinking of a mixture of fresh lemon juice, organic maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Nothing else except some salt water and laxative tea are consumed for a minimum of 10 days, as per Stanley Burroughs, the originator of The Master Cleanse. The Master Cleanse is difficult and requires a good deal of physical preparation. Getting the body ready for the cleanse will not only make you more comfortable, but it will minimize the symptoms associated with detoxing.
Preparing For The Master Cleanse
Step 1
Make an appointment to see your doctor and let her know you will be doing The Master Cleanse for 10 days. This is especially important if you are currently on any medication or are being treated for any health issues. Working with your physician is the safest way to perform any body detox.
Step 2
Begin preparing for The Master Cleanse at least 1 week in advance. During this week, cut back on your portion sizes and stop eating meat. This will help your digestive system adjust to less food, and will enable your intestines to completely clear meat from your system. Increasing water intake will also help your system adjust to liquids only.
Step 3
Switch to soft or liquid foods only three days before beginning The Master Cleanse. Mashed potatoes, homemade broths or light soups are good choices. By doing this you help yourself get accustomed to consuming nothing but liquids and are once again giving the digestive tract a chance to clean out. The less you have in the digestive tract and colon when starting The Master Cleanse, the more comfortable you will be during the cleanse.
Step 4
Gather the supplies needed to undertake The Master Cleanse 2 days before beginning. These include fresh lemons, grade B maple syrup, distilled water, cayenne pepper, laxative tea and sea salt. Most items can be found at larger grocery stores. Organic grade B maple syrup may need to be purchased at a health food store. While most grocery chains carry maple syrup, most are grade A, which is acceptable on The Master Cleanse if it is all you can find. However, grocery stores do not often carry "certified organic" maple syrups. Grade B is the recommended choice for The Master Cleanse, as it contains the highest levels of vitamins and minerals needed by the body. When purchasing lemons, you will be averaging 4 to 6 lemons per day, so you will need 40 to 60 over the course of 10 days. If you do not have a cool place to store the lemons (other than the refrigerator), then you should only purchase a two-day supply at a time. This will ensure they stay fresh.
Laxative tea can be found in a health food store or pharmacy. In the pharmacy it is often in the same aisle as laxatives. Distilled water can be found in most supermarkets or pharmacies. Invest in a quality citrus juicer.
Step 5
Consume only a liquid diet the day before. On the evening before you begin, have one cup of laxative tea before bed.
Step 6
Consume one quart of warm water mixed with 2 teaspoons of sea salt on the first morning. This will help cleanse out what the laxative tea loosened the night before. The laxative tea and salt water rinse will be your evening and morning routine while you are on The Master Cleanse. If you can not handle the salt water drink, then have the laxative tea both evening and morning.
Tips and Warnings
- It also helps to prepare the mind for a Master Cleanse. Spend some time each day meditating on the healthy effects the detox will have on your body. It can help you push through the times you may want to quit.
- Dizziness and nausea are quite common within the first 3 days of The Master Cleanse. It is recommended to push through those 3 days and not go off the diet, as this is simply the body ridding itself of toxins.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh lemons
- Grade B maple syrup
- Laxative Tea
- Sea salt
- Distilled water
- Cayenne pepper
- Juicer
Member Comments