A clean, healthy colon is equipped to carry out its functions of absorbing and balancing fluid and electrolytes--and to effectively eliminate waste products and toxins from the body. A healthy diet, adequate fluid intake and regular exercise will enhance colon functions. In addition, natural remedies for cleansing the colon may be in your kitchen or in the medicine cabinet. Seek advice and guidance from your health care provider prior to starting a colon cleansing regime.
High Fiber Foods
High fiber foods are essential to promote the proper functioning of the colon. According to Mayo Clinic, high fiber foods will move relatively quicker and easily through the digestive tract. A high fiber diet also helps to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Foods high in fiber may include products made from wheat, bran and oats and grains, according to coloncleanseconstipation.com. Other high fiber foods are raspberries, strawberries as well as pears and apples with their skin. Cooked legumes such as split peas, lima beans, lentils and black beans as well as cooked vegetables like peas, broccoli and turnip greens are high fiber foods to help in cleansing the colon.
Flaxseed
For centuries Egyptians used flaxseed for its nutritional values, its health benefits and particularly for its laxative effects. Flaxseed is derived from the flaxseed plant. It contains soluble and insoluble fiber and mucilage. When flaxseed gets wet it increases its bulk and becomes sticky. In the colon it acts to stimulate peristalsis or, the rhythmic contraction of the colon, helping to clean the intestines and move waste and toxins easily through the colon to be excreted into the stool, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Flaxseed should be used within 24 hours after its ground to maintain its effects. Flaxseed is available as ripe seeds or in powder form.
Cascara
Cascara comes from the bark of the cascara plant. It contains cascarosides which give cascara its laxative effect. Cascarosides act to stimulate the colon or large intestines. This increases the peristaltic or wavelike contractions of the colon, cleansing the colon and moving waste products and toxins into the stool. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, prolonged use of cascara is not recommended. This could lead to diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance and hepatitis. Cascara bark and extract in over-the-counter drug products are not generally recognized as safe and effective or are misbranded. The Food and Drug Administration reclassified these products to category ll and added them to the list of stimulants laxatives ingredient for which the data is inadequate to establish general recognition of safety and effectiveness for such use.
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