Colon cleansing can be dated back to ancient Greeks and Egyptians. This practice was tried to revive again in the early twentieth century but could not make a massive comeback. However, off late the colon cleansing has made its presence felt again and there are a number of people who opt for getting colon cleansing. Though there is not enough scientific evidence to support the benefits of this procedure, but because of the results there are more and more people who are opting for this process.

Colon cleansing is an alternative medical treatment, which is partly based on autointoxication theory. The theory of autointoxication is based on the reality that the colon is responsible for getting rid of the waste accumulated in the body in the form of fecal matter. Apart from removal of the food and beverage waste, the colon also removes the toxins with the help of bowel movement to defecate. Over a time the toxins can get accumulated along the walls of the colon and cause a problem with the normal process of bowel movements.

Any such toxic accumulation can become a good breeding place for bacteria that can prove to be harmful for your health. Also, there can be a possibility that the toxins can be absorbed into the body which can result in headache, fatigues, nausea, irritability and loss of appetite. These cases can become severe for patients who are suffering from constipation. This absorption of the toxins into the blood stream through the colon is called as autointoxication. The main aim of colon cleansing is to reduce the possibility of autointoxication by removing toxins from the colon.

Colon cleaning can basically be done by two methods. The first is oral dietary method wherein you need to add lots of dietary fiber, supplements, laxatives, and herbs in your food. Another method is the colon hydrotherapy, which makes use of a special colon device to pump warm water into the colon to increase bowel movements.

Though there are a number of products that are available for colon cleansing, but people usually opt for natural and homemade methods. The homemade colon cleansing is much popular than any of the other commercial products. The best homemade remedy is having lots of water. Water can help you by removing the toxins from the body and by loosening of the stools, which can result in better bowel movements.

Start having a high fiber diet; include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that will help in the smooth bowel movements. You can make the process better by including ginger, aloe vera and cinnamon in your diet. Other good examples are psyllium, garlic, flax seed, fennel and barberry. Barberry and ginger result in stimulating the colon and fennel is of much help in reducing the mucus from the colon. Psyllium and aloe vera are laxatives that help in removal of the fecal matter effectively, and on the other hand flax seed is considered to increase the volume of the intestine and also increase the bowel movements.

Fasting also helps in eliminating toxins from the body; keep taking fruit and vegetable juices while fasting, and it will turn out to be beneficial. Having vegetable soup with butter or sans oil is also found to be beneficial. Whatever be your choice of colon cleansing, it is important that you consult a specialist before taking up any of these diets, this is specially recommended for people who have other health problems.

Jonathan Pitts

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