Colon cleansing has become all the rage in our society these days. Gone are the days where we are afraid to talk about this area of our body and what this kind of cleansing entails. This type of body cleansing is actually a very ancient practice dating back as early as ancient Greece and as early as the 1900’s in America (1).
The colon is actually a part of the large intestine and is the final part of the digestive system. Its primary function is to reabsorb fluids and to process the waste products from the body to prepare for final elimination (2).
The colon is a very important part of the cleansing process in the body. After digestion, the food travels down through the digestive system, where the food finally meets the colon. Parts and parcels may get stuck to the walls of the colon over elongated periods of time. This can then turn into a dark mucoid plaque that also gets stuck to the wall of the colon and can also build up over time, making it even harder for the food to pass through.
Knowing this, it can then be very helpful to give this area of the body a cleanse to push through the remaining parts of the food stuffs and dark mucoid plaque, safely out of the rectum.
This can be done via a variety of different methods that include; colonic irrigation and mainly DIY home cleanses such as using certain teas, enzymes, added supplements to support the cleanse, certain fruits and vegetables mixed together with the correct herbs that creates a shake and online bought products solely designed for this irrigation purpose (3).
Why Colon Cleanse? What Are The Benefits?
A good colon cleanse is believed to help expel undigested substances from the body. These substances and black sticky plaque can turn toxic and have unhealthy effects on your health.
Cleansing your colon is supposed to enhance your vitality and energy levels, thus creating more space inside the body (4).
The detox effects can;
- Help weight loss
- Improve immune system functioning
- Improve mental and physical health
- Reduce colon cancer risk
- Ease the pain of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Help the body to better absorb vital nutrients
- Reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Take Home Note:
The benefits are plentiful. Colon cleansing is a serious subject when it comes to cleansing from the inside out. It should be considered with care as it’s a very deep cleanse for the body and when done correctly, can really make a difference on your daily health
How To Colon Cleanse?
Fortunately, there are things you can do to help alleviate discomfort in this area of the body.
Some of the types of home-made cleanses you can do from the comfort of your home are:
- Sea-Salt Cleanses
- Cayenne Pepper-Lemon Cleanses
- Ginger-Psyllium Cleanses
- Apple Cleanses
It is advisable to seek necessary step-by-step guidelines so that your cleanse can be actioned with absolute caution and precision. This area of the body is very delicate, especially if you experience any issues in this area. If you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and IBS for example, then a good colon cleanse should help ease things up a little bit.
Take Home Note:
Colon cleanse side effects can range from mild to severe. So be careful on the method that you choose and make sure you are fully informed before undergoing any treatment, both at home and/or with a practitioner.
How Effective Is A Colon Cleanse?
There are mixed reviews and opinions when it comes to the effectiveness of colon cleansing. It cannot be denied that it does have some effect on the general well-being of those that use this form of therapy regularly. A good detox should always have positive effects.
Live Science – a renowned comprehensive news website that discusses and explores everything from the natural to the technological world states that “cleaning out the colon is sometimes necessary, for example, before a medical procedure, such as a colonoscopy”. They go on to say that; “some people do it in the belief that the process will rid their colons of excess toxins that have accumulated over time from the foods they eat, the air they breathe, the water they drink and the lifestyles they lead (5).”
Some will add a colonic to their health routine each month. It is said that a decent nutritional diet, a good exercise routine combined with a regular detox will have profound effects on one’s well-being.
Adding to that, the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK states that colonic irrigation is a complementary therapy and should never be mistaken for a prescribed therapy by the national service. They go on to say that “ there is currently no medical or scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness”. They conclude with the belief that the procedure is safe (6).
Take Home Note:
A standard 45 min -1hr colonic hydrotherapy session is said to improve general well-being, better skin, smoother bowel movements and helps you to feel lighter.
The Colonic Hydrotherapy Procedure
Colonic hydrotherapy is viewed as a natural way to improve health, as we have discovered so far. Colonic hydrotherapy claims to be able to shed gunk that has accumulated on its walls and its said to release toxic waste that is otherwise absorbed form the body (7).
When you undergo colonic hydrotherapy, a tube or specifically designed apparatus is inserted inside the rectum (for the waste to pass out by) while the tube that is connected to a machine responsible for regulating the temperature and the speed of the filtered water, is used for the water to flow up and into the body.
Around, 20 gallons of water will pass by the tube, slowly, into the colon as the body adapts to the filtered water. The fluids found inside the body are then removed through the use of a different tube and then dumped.
Colonic therapy may also help reduce the parasites that may be found in the toxins that are released from the body.
Take Home Note:
A normal 45-minute session, costs anywhere between $85-$125 for about a 60 litres filtered water flush.
Cleanse At Home Or With A Practitioner?
Both cleansing at home and with a practitioner is very effective. You could even choose to do both. For example, start to clear and clean out your system before you book yourself in to have a colonic irrigation. This way the irrigation effects should go a little deeper after the detox has been completed.
There are various detoxes you can undergo and various products you can use. Whichever method you choose, it may be good to consult your preferred practitioner in advance and seek their guidance. That way you will know when to book in your appointment in conjunction with the timing of your detox.
If, however, you decide to do a home-cleanse over colonic irrigation therapy, then you should seriously consider an in-depth detox and follow the instructions vigilantly. If you decide to go to a practitioner, then don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you need to, in order to feel comfortable with going ahead with this method.
Take Home Note:
Cleansing at home and colon cleansing with a practitioner are both effective methods, it just depends on what you feel more comfortable with.
Should A Doctor Be Consulted Pre-Colon Cleanse?
It is not necessary to consult a doctor pre-cleanse unless you have health concerns such as digestive and intestine dysfunctions.
The colonic irrigation process itself is always guided by a practitioner and cannot be done alone, unless you decide to proceed with a less penetrative method, such as an enema kit.
An enema kit works well when doing a home cleanse, so alternating between shakes, colon cleansing teas and enzymes, supplements and/or online bought products and at-home enemas is advisable.
It can be helpful to go for regular colonics to really see the effects. Consult your practitioner for how many you will need as each diagnosis will be different per patient. Saying that, doing on average one colonic a month, could have major positive effects on your health all round.
