A colon cleansing article

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Colon Cleansing --

by Tammy Rome, Herbalist

Mar. 1, 2004

The first step to internal cleansing is to clean and rebuild the colon. Cleaning toxins and waste from a particular organ does little good if the organ is not rejuvenated to healthy state. Proper organ function is essential if we are to prevent future toxic accumulations from affecting our health.

As food moves into our stomach, chemicals called enzymes breakdown proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Each one is broken down by different enzymes. Eating the wrong combinations of food can disrupt digestion and block nutrient absorption.

Once foods are passed into the small intestine, most of the "breakdown" is finished. It is the small intestine’s job to absorb the nutrients the stomach processes. This is why thorough chewing is so important. When we swallow foods whole, our stomach cannot always break the food down sufficiently for nutrients to be absorbed by the small intestine.

The absorption task is nearly complete by the time food reaches the large intestine (colon). What is left over needs to be eliminated before it putrefies and causes damage to the surrounding tissues. This waste, called a bolus, enters the large intestine through the illiosecal valve and passes right by the appendix. This is the toughest journey because the bolus must now travel against gravity, upwards. It is suggested that the appendix may secrete oils necessary to lubricate the bolus enough to make its upward trip. Without it, the bolus can become trapped and irritate the poor appendix.

Our large intestines need (1) fiber and (2) lubrication to move waste matter out of our bodies. When either one is missing, constipation is sure to follow.

So what happens when we become constipated. Yes, we get pretty uncomfortable! But what’s going on inside our bodies? Remember that the purpose of the colon is to move waste from the body quickly enough to prevent harm to the surrounding tissues.

Waste that has stalled on its journey out of our bodies (constipation) begins to putrefy (rot). It excretes toxins into the peristaltic muscles of the colon, preventing them from contracting properly. If this condition continues, a thick layer of waste can build up on the walls of the colon, preventing fluid reabsorption (the other job of the colon). This stretches the muscles thin, making it more difficult to pass waste in the future.

Many people literally have pounds of dried waste material lining the walls of their colon. This can lead to a whole host of health problems, from weight gain, malnourishment, allergies, diverticulitis, colitis, even colon cancer.

To prevent these problems, it is important to keep your colon clean and healthy. Simple laxatives alone can’t do the job. A laxative can be habit forming because it only expels the waste. It does nothing to strengthen the damaged muscular wall of the colon. Without strong peristaltic muscles, all the lubrication and fiber in the world won’t make a permanent difference.

So, to properly cleanse and rebuild the colon, you need to accomplish 4 things:

Eliminate old, built-up waste

Provide adequate fiber

Provide adequate lubrication

Strengthen the muscle wall

So if laxatives alone won’t fix the problem, then what will? Look for colon cleansing products that stimulate peristaltic muscle contractions and fight bacteria, viruses, yeast & parasites as well as containing mild laxatives.

Before starting a cleansing routine, there are a few of things to be aware of:

Colon cleansing is not a fast process. A good cleansing routine should take at least 30 days, but the best ones take 6 to 9 months for complete rejuvenation.

Colon cleansing should be comfortable. Any routine that causes more than a single day of cramps, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, etc. should be either (1) modified or (2) discontinued.

Colon cleansing should produce permanent results. Provided you continue to consume adequate amounts of fiber and water, get moderate exercise and don’t have any pre-existing conditions that impair colon function, a cleanse routine should not continue indefinitely.

Yearly "mini-cleanses" of 30-90 days may be necessary for those whose diets are low in fiber, don’t drink enough water or get enough exercise.

Source: Herbal Home Health Care by Dr. R. .

Suzi

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