Master Cleanse Diet Instructions

On a 2006 episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," singer Beyonce famously announced that she'd used The Master Cleanse diet, created by Stanley Burroughs, to drop 20 lbs. for her Oscar-nominated role in "Dreamgirls." Other celebrities like David Blaine and Robin Quivers have admitted to trying the drastic diet too, reports "The New York Times." Subsisting on a diet of lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and water sounds difficult, but it's a diet which can bring quick results, but no long-term benefits.

Step 1

Ease into the diet by taking one day to rule out all processed foots and eat raw, living foods only. Then, the next day, try eating just clear liquids, like broth or soup. Finally, on the third day, drink only orange juice to prepare you for the reduction of calories and energy that will accompany The Master Cleanse, according to TheMasterCleanse.org.

Step 2

Mix the lemonade concoction that you'll use as your only nutrition while on the diet. The recipe is two tbsp. of freshly squeezed lemon juice, two tbsp. of organic grade- B maple syrup, a tenth of a tsp. of cayenne pepper and eight oz. of water, according to CalorieLab.com.

Step 3

Drink six to 12 glasses of the lemonade concoction throughout the day. Drink six glasses if you're interested in weight loss, and up to 12 glasses if you're hoping to detoxify your digestive system, suggests holistic health expert Tom Woloshyn in his book "The Complete Master Cleanse: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing the Benefits of The Lemonade Diet."

Step 4

Follow the diet for up to 10 days. The Master Cleanse is not a long-term diet solution. You're also instructed to take a daily herbal laxative while you follow the diet to further cleanse your system. Taking a daily laxative may render your digestive system incompetent, so you may need to stay close to a bathroom while you undergo The Master Cleanse.

Step 5

Ease off of the diet by taking a day to acclimate to eating solid calories again. Start by only drinking orange juice for a day, which you may need to dilute if your stomach feels upset. The next day, return to clear broths and soups, and finally add raw, vegan food on the third day before you begin to eat normally again.