Home Remedies: Colon Cleanse Teas

Maintaining colon integrity and health can be as simple as preparing your own herbal colon cleanse tea at home. The Mayo Clinic has determined that a number of herbal remedies including senna, flax seed and psyllium can help cleanse the colon and contribute to overall colon and digestive health. As with trying any home remedy, you should consult your physician first.

Cleansing Teas

For centuries, the Amish have relied on teas containing organic herbal ingredients to effectively cleanse the colon naturally. To make your own home remedy colon cleansing tea, steep or muddle senna leaf, flaxseed or psyllium in a cup of traditional black or green tea and drink daily. You may add peppermint, lemon or other fruit extracts to your tea to cater to your personal tastes. Additionally, the Amish community suggests drinking a glass of hot water each morning just after waking will add to the tea's effectiveness.

Senna Leaf

The leaf of the senna plant acts as a natural herbal laxative. It can be found as an ingredient in many over-the-counter laxative products, like Ex-Lax Maximum Relief Formula, Fletchers Castoria and Senekot, and typically yields a bowel movement within 12 hours. The senna leaf works as a stimulant causing muscles in the intestines to contract, thereby relieving the stool, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it is among the harshest types of laxatives. People with Crohn's disease, heart disease or ulcerative colitis should not take products containing senna leaf, as it may cause serious side effects.

Flaxseed

Rich in the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid flax seed is associated with a number of positive health implications in addition to having a laxative effect. Flax seed oil does not appear to have the same laxative properties as flax seed and is not recommended for colon cleansing. According to the Mayo Clinic, though, when taken in large doses and with inadequate amounts of water, flax seed can actually have the reverse effect and cause bowel obstruction. You should always follow the manufacturers directions when taking herbal remedies. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.

Psyllium

According to the Mayo Clinic, psyllium is a soluble fiber that will dissolve in water to form a gel-like material. Research by they Mayo Clinic also indicates that psyllium has a number of health improving attributes that can contribute to lowering your blood cholesterol and glucose levels, normalizing bowel movements and maintaining bowel integrity and health. As a dietary fiber, it increases the size of your stool while softening it, making it easier to pass. It may even alleviate irritable bowel syndrome, notes the Mayo Clinic. Psyllium helps to maintain bowel integrity and health by lowering your risk of developing hemorrhoids.