Methods of Colon Cleansing
There are many methods for cleansing
the colon. Most of these methods will do a somewhat acceptable
job. However, cleansing the digestive tract from the small
intestine down is much more preferable as the small intestine is where
food absorption takes place. Below are methods that you may have
read about and how they work on the digestive tract.
Colon Hydrotherapy
(Colonic Irrigations)
This currently popular
method of intestinal cleansing involves the use of tubing inserted through
the anus that is used to deliver a solution to wash and rinse the interior
of the colon with purified water, or sometimes water mixed with minerals,
organic coffee, or other additives. The process may be repeated several
times in a sitting. Colonic irrigation has been known since ancient
Egyptian times, where it is referenced in literature.
Enema
Enemas are actually a
form of colon hydrotherapy that traditionally uses a diverse variety
of additives rather than just purified water. When used as a colon cleanser,
enemas are often composed of purified water mixed with baking soda,
sodium phosphate, or mineral oil, which acts as a lubricant and stool
softener. After the enema is administered, the person typically “holds
it” for a short period of time, and then expels the enema and bowel
contents into the toilet. Enemas can be very difficult to perform
for those who are sick, elderly or over-weight.
Herbal Supplements
There are many herbs
that act as colonic cleansers or help with constipation by scraping
the intestinal lining, sometimes causing irritation. They generally
fall into three distinct categories: Bulk, mild, and purgative. Popular
bulk herbs include Flaxseed, psyllium, and fenugreek. Mild herbs that
are used for this purpose include dandelion root and leaves, and chickweed.
The purgative are the harshest, and they include aloe, rhubarb, buckthorn,
cascara sagrada and senna.
Laxatives
The term laxative can
cover a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter drugs
that stimulate bowel movements with synthetic chemicals. Laxatives and
enemas can be abused by those wanting to lose weight or those that tend
to binge on food. Laxatives are habit-forming and can completely
shut down bowel action as the bowel learns to rely on artificial stimulation.
Oxygen-Based Cleansers
Oxy-Powder® is an example
of an oxygen-based cleanser. These are the most effective kind of colon
cleansers because they actually provide a wonderful substance known
as monatomic or nascent oxygen
that totally changes the atmosphere in the bowel and removes impacted
fecal matter and other toxins by liquefying them and washing them out
of the digestive tract. Oxygen-based cleansers also help to heal the
bowel and provide a great atmosphere for good bacteria growth.
