The colon, or large intestine, absorbs nutrients and water, synthesizes vitamins, and forms feces. Poor dietary habits and unhealthy lifestyles cause problems in the colon, such as constipation, inflammation, poor absorption and toxicity. Colon cleansing is intended to remove impacted feces, debris, toxins and harmful microorganisms, such as parasites and yeast. Colon cleansing is popular among alternative health practitioners, although it is viewed as unnecessary or dangerous by the medical establishment. Cleansing can involve physical irrigation or natural supplements that have laxative and cleaning properties.
Colonic Irrigation
The best way to thoroughly clean your colon is by irrigating it. Colonic irrigation, or colon hydrotherapy, involves inserting two-way tubes into the rectum and using special equipment to gently inject purified water, sometimes mixed with herbal preparations, up into the large intestine, flushing out impacted feces and toxins. The watery debris is collected and drained via the exit tube. Colonic irrigation indiscriminately flushes out beneficial bacteria also, which is why acidophilus or similar flora and fauna replenishing supplements are recommended after colonic treatments, as cited in the text "Medical Herbalism." Practitioners of colonic irrigation may recommend more than one flushing depending on your health status.
Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, is found in fresh fruits, vegetables, flaxseed, psyllium seed, linseeds and some grains. It promotes colon health because it absorbs water, increases the bulk of feces and essentially scrubs the walls of the colon as it moves through to the rectum. Dietary fiber also promotes regular bowel movements and can absorb toxic material and debris, which might otherwise damage colon cells or end up in the bloodstream, as cited in the text "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." As such, dietary fiber is often recommended to prevent or treat constipation and is an essential ingredient for colon cleansing. Lots of water should be consumed with dietary fiber because of its absorptive nature.
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara sagrada is an herbal remedy that contains anthroquinone glycosides, which stimulate peristalsis, or contractions, of the colon and enable movement of its contents. Peristalsis also stimulates bowel movements, which is why cascara sagrada is considered an effective laxative. Unlike the herb senna, the laxative effects of cascara sagrada are considered relatively gentle and non-habit forming, as cited in the book "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica." Cascara sagrada is also recommended for constipation and is a useful colon cleanser.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has natural laxative properties as well, but it also contains saturated fatty acids that act to deter the growth of many potentially pathogenic microorganisms, as cited in the text "Nutritional Sciences." The fats also promote the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and amino acids from the colon, enhancing overall health. Coconut oil is also used to combat indigestion, gas, stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, but too much of it leads to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica"; Dan Bensky, et al.; 2004
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
Member Comments