The colon or large intestines is one of the organs responsible for eliminating waste from the body. According to eMedtv, the colon works to remove water from the waste products of the body, recycles this water to the body and eliminates waste in the form of stool. Colon cleansing products help to promote a healthy colon, resulting in a variety of health benefits. Colon cleansing products should be taken with the advice and under the supervision of a professional health care provider.
Psyllium
Psyllium comes from the shrub-like herb, Plantago ovata, most commonly grown in India. This soluble, high-fiber supplement works to relieve constipation, diarrhea, regulates blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes, lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Psyllium softens stools and reduces the straining, pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Psyllium also helps to reduce hypertension. According to UMMC, in a six month study with psyllium fiber, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in over weight individuals with hypertension were significantly reduced. Additional studies are needed to further substantiate this effect.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a supplement traditionally used to treat colds, cough, urinary tract infection and constipation. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, flax seed contains a rich supply of lignans which have hormone-like effects on the body and appears to reduce the symptoms of menopause. According to the UMMC, flaxseed is primarily used as a laxative, its high fiber content and its gummy mucilage characteristic causes it to become bulky when it comes in contact with water. In the bowels this bulkiness stimulates peristalsis or a wavelike contraction of the colon, which easily cleanses the colon and eliminates waste products. Flaxseed may also reduce cholesterol, but further studies are needed to substantiate this effect.
Rhubarb
The root of the rhubarb plant is used to treat a variety of conditions in traditional Chinese medicine, including constipation and diarrhea, according to Drugs.com. Rhubarb contains emodin, which is metabolized, broken down and converted into aglycone. Aglycone benefits absorption, secretion and the movements of the intestinal tract by increasing peristalsis and helps to easily cleanse the colon of waste products, according to Drugs.com. Rhubarb is an anti-inflammatory and an high fiber supplement that works to lower cholesterol levels, according to Drugs.com
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