Herbal Colon Cleanse - Say No To Lax Laxatives

An herbal colon cleanse can help shift old fecal matter, as well as gently restoring tone to the muscles in the wall of the colon. This in turn helps maintain regular bowel movements. Laxatives, even of the herbal kind, are not recommended.

Role of the Colon in a Healthy Body

The last stage of digestion happens in the colon. Healthy bacteria are needed for this. These bacteria ferment any undigested carbohydrates that remain. They also convert any remaining protein into amino acids, and then break these down into chemically simpler substances. These substances are either reabsorbed into the body and taken to the liver, where they are changed into less toxic substances and excreted in urine, or they're excreted in feces.

The vitamins needed for normal metabolism that are made in the colon are the result of this action by healthy bacteria in the bowel. They are vitamin K, and some B vitamins.

The colon also reabsorbs water, making it important in maintaining the body's water balance. This is why in severe cases of colitis, people can suffer from dehydration.

The colon also reabsorbs electrolytes, such as sodium and chloride, and some vitamins. This makes it important in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance.

The feces formed by the colon is made from water, inorganic salts, dead epithelial cells, bacteria, bacterial by products, and undigested food. The colon is the only way bile products can be removed from the body. Bile is used in the digestion of fats, and is discussed more in the article on liver detoxification.

The goal of an herbal colon cleanse should be to restore, long term, this healthy functioning of the bowel. This is why laxatives are not recommended.

Colon Problems

Diarrhea leaves little time for reabsorption of water, vitamins, and electrolytes. It can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and can be caused by stress or irritation to the mucosa in the intestines by microbes.

Constipation means that feces remain in the colon for too long. In this case, too much water is reabsorbed, making the feces dry and hard and difficult to expel. Other potential issues with a longer transit time include reabsorption of the bile metabolites that were meant to be excreted, such as drugs like morphine, and probably others.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to constipation. These include poor diet, too little exercise, spasms of the colon, drinking too little water, and stress and other emotions.

People with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) have alternating experiences of diarrhea and constipation, often associated with stress. They also often experience abdominal pain, cramps, excessive mucous in the stools, gas, lack of appetite, and other problems.

One person who had irritable bowel syndrome reported these benefits after an herbal colon cleanse:

"Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be helped with an herbal colon cleanse. I can personally attest to that, as I was required to do a bowel cleansing before having a colonoscopy. I had suffered for years with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I was terrified to eat at fairs or street festivals, or eat and then get right in a car to travel. After going through three days of fasting and laxatives and foul tasting stuff to drink, I had my test. Nothing was found, but the result was that I felt wonderful and had no Irritable Bowel Attacks for over three years after I had my test. I’m not saying it was a pleasant experience to go through as it wasn’t the gradual process described above, but it did leave me feeling great and totally rejuvenated."

Irritable Bowel is something of a special case though, and there are gentler, more long term ways of improving health for IBS sufferers.

Problems that may benefit from an herbal colon cleanse

It should be noted that given the complex nature of each of these, an herbal colon cleanse is very unlikely to be the sole factor in these illnesses, and should not be approached as the solution, nor an alternative to other medications. But an herbal colon cleanse can help support the body's elimination processes, and thus provide a boost in health, and an environment that supports the body's own healing processes:

• cold hands and feet/poor circulation
• gas
• irritability
• bad breath
• allergies
• insomnia
• chronic fatigue
• difficulties in concentration
• poor memory
• skin problems

For a list of herbal colon cleanse supplements, click here.

The Herbal Colon Cleanse Naturopathic Recommendations

Laxatives are definitely not recommended as with long term use it leads to constant constipation. Mills says this is possibly due to desensitizing the normal triggers for bowel movement.

For people with bowel problems, bran can be too rough, especially if there is inflammation in the bowel, or in IBS and diverticulitis. Mills says:

"Bran represents the most insoluble fraction of cereal fiber. The product of cooked cereal, as seen for example in porridge oatmeal, is largely soft and soluble, with mucilaginous properties. Bran is what is left when this is washed away." (Simon Mills)

Muesli and brown rice can be classed in this category, as being too rough, for those with colon problems.

"There is evidence too that in these individuals there is less ability to break down the formation of insoluble complexes that form between calcium, iron, zinc, and other mineral with the phytates present in cereal fiber, thus risking a dietary deficiency as well." (Mills)

Instead, a diet high in natural fiber, such as fruit, vegetables, and the softer, mucilaginous cereals that can be tolerated. Increase the amount of fiber in the diet gradually, however. An increase in exercise is definitely recommended.

Liver herbal remedies are excellent for the bowel as well. Other herbal colon cleanse recommendations include psyllium seed, flaxseed, linseed, agar-agar, and seaweed gums. These bulking agents provide a "soft, fluid-retentive gel that gently restores natural bowel tone, whether it is initially lax or excessive". (Mills)

More information on herbal cleanse products available here.

More herbal colon cleanse related articles

• Plant Digestive Enzymes Help Reclaim Our Youthful Enzyme Levels
• Probiotic Acidophilus Supplements - For Allergies, Candida and IBS
• Liver Detoxification Herbs - Better Skin, Better Digestion
• Herbal Cleanse - Bringing Your Body Back To Health
• Herbal Colon Cleanse - Say No To Lax Laxatives!
• Fiber Supplement - For Long Term Colon Restoration
• Dietary Fiber Supplement - Soluble and Insoluble Fiber
• Human Intestinal Parasite Cleanse Remedies
• Detoxification Product Overview - Making The Right Choice

References:
1. Tortura and Grabowski, Principles Of Anatomy and Physiology
2. Simon Mills, The Essential Book Of Herbal Medicine