Colon cleansing can help you eliminate waste from your colon, relieving constipation and promoting sound digestive health. Some preparations for colon cleansing, particularly those that include laxatives which contain sodium phosphate, can cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration, the Mayo Clinic notes. Psyllium, on the other hand, is a source of soluble fiber which can help promote regular bowel movements and, when used properly, poses less of a threat to your health as it functions as a natural bulk-forming laxative. Talk to your doctor before beginning any sort of colon cleanse, as psyllium and other laxatives can interfere with medications and may not be appropriate if you have kidney disease or other heart problems.
Step 1
Start with a 1/2 tsp. of psyllium and gradually increase your dose to 2 tsp. per day. If you start with a higher dose of psyllium, you may develop gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating and abdominal discomfort, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Step 2
Take psyllium with a cup of water and drink several more glasses of water throughout the day. Psyllium swells when it comes in contact with water, and not taking it with water can cause it to become lodged in your digestive tract. In addition, when you take psyllium to cleanse your colon, the psyllium absorbs extra water in your digestive tract, which can lead to dehydration, ColonZone.org notes. Increasing your fluid intake can help stave off dehydration due to psyllium.
Step 3
Consume psyllium husk between meals. Taking psyllium with meals can impair digestion, ColonZone.org notes. You should also take psyllium at least two hours after or one hour before taking other medications, as psyllium can interfere with the absorption of some drugs.
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