If you want to shed a few pounds and are also looking for a solution to eliminate digestive problems and acne breakouts, an all-natural colon cleanse might just be what you need. Colon cleanse is a process that helps detoxify your body and improves your digestive health as well as the overall quality of your life. Curious to know more about this method and how you can cleanse your insides using some simple home remedies? Keep reading.

What Is A Natural Colon Cleanse And How Does It Work?

A natural colon cleanse is an effective way to detoxify your body naturally. It mainly aims to remove any accumulated feces from your colon and intestinal tract by using various methods. Colon cleansing is also referred to as colon therapy.

There are mainly two ways by which you can cleanse your colon:

  • The first method involves taking supplements via your mouth or rectum to help your colon expel its contents completely. Such supplements are easily available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and other drugstores.
  • The second method is colon irrigation in which colon hydrotherapists perform colon irrigation by pumping out gallons of water via a small tube that is inserted into your rectum.
  • The third method is coffee enemas that are self-administered. But we recommend you consult with your naturopathic practitioner before implementing.

You can opt for any of these methods to cleanse your colon. However, since studies supporting this practice are limited, you can decide whether you want to go ahead with it or not after having a brief look at its potential benefits and risks.

What Are The Benefits Of A Natural Colon Cleanse?

A natural colon cleanse is believed to help in expelling undigested substances from your body. In the long run, such substances can turn toxic and have adverse effects on your health. Cleansing your colon enhances your vitality by

  • helping you lose weight
  • improving your overall mental and physical health
  • improving the functioning of your immune system
  • reducing your risk of developing colon cancer

We will now look at some of the safest and easiest remedies to cleanse your colon naturally.

How To Cleanse Your Colon Naturally

1. Garcinia Cambogia

You Will Need

Garcinia cambogia supplements (500-1000mg)

What You Have To Do
  1. Consume Garcinia cambogia supplements.
  2. You can also add Garcinia cambogia to your daily diet.
How Often You Should Do This

Consume Garcinia cambogia supplements 1 to 2 times daily.

2. Apple Juice

You Will Need
  • 1 apple
  • 1 cup of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Take an apple and cut it into pieces.
  2. Blend the pieces with a cup of water.
  3. Consume the apple juice.
  4. After 30 minutes, drink a glass of water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times daily for at least 3 days.

3. Lemon Detox Drink

You Will Need
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1-2 teaspoons of honey
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 glass of lukewarm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Squeeze half a lemon and add the juice to a glass of lukewarm water.
  2. Add salt and honey to this and mix well.
  3. Consume this lemon detox drink.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink this every morning on an empty stomach.

Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.

4. Yogurt

You Will Need
  • A bowl of plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
  1. Consume a bowl of plain yogurt.
How Often You Should Do This

You must have plain yogurt 1 to 2 times every day. Plain means, no added sugar, no added fruit.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need
  • 1-2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water.
  2. Add honey to this and mix well.
  3. Drink this concoction every morning.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Note: It’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your vinegar and honey drink so that the honey doesn’t contribute to dental cavities.

6. Raw Vegetable Juice

You Will Need
  • Spinach OR Beetroot OR Carrot OR Tomato OR Cucumber
What You Have To Do
  1. Blend any or a combination of the vegetables mentioned above.
How Often You Should Do This

Several times during the day.

Note: Avoid canned or readymade juices as they lack the nutrients and minerals that are widely present in fresh juices. As much as possible, use organic vegetables, so you aren’t concentrating pesticides and herbicides in your juice.

7. Sea Salt

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of unrefined sea salt
  • 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a tablespoon of unrefined sea salt to a glass of water and bring it to a boil.
  2. Cool and drink this solution in the morning.
  3. After consuming the saline water, massage your stomach gently in a downward direction, towards your colon.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink this solution once every morning on an empty stomach.

Note: Be prepared for a possible flushing action on your intestines with several loose bowel movements.

8. Ginger

You Will Need
  • 1-2 inches of ginger
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice
  • 2 cups of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Extract two teaspoons of ginger juice using a small juice press that’s usually used for garlic.
  2. Add this to two cups of hot water.
  3. Add the lemon juice and stir well.
  4. You can divide this solution into two or more parts and consume throughout the day.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink this solution throughout the day.

Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.

9. Magnesium Citrate

You Will Needs
  • 2-4 teaspoons of magnesium citrate powder
  • 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add magnesium citrate to a glass of warm water and mix well.
  2. Drink this solution every morning.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Caution

Only take this amount of magnesium citrate for one week because increased bowel movements can cause mineral loss.

10. Flaxseeds

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of powdered flaxseeds
  • 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a tablespoon of ground flaxseeds and mix it with a glass of warm water.
  2. Consume this mixture 30 minutes before you have breakfast and before going to bed.
  3. You can also add some honey for flavor.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink this mixture twice a day.

Note: Keep ground flaxseeds in the freezer because they go rancid very quickly.

11. Aloe Vera Juice

You Will Need
  • 200 mg of aloe vera gel
  • 1-2 cups of water
  • 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
  1. Add two teaspoons of lemon juice to a cup or two of water.
  2. To this, add 200 mg of aloe vera gel and blend well.
  3. Refrigerate the aloe vera juice for 3 to 4 hours and consume it.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink small quantities of the prepared aloe vera juice multiple times a day.

Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after you have this drink.

12. Supplements

There are many powdered and liquid supplements available that help in cleansing your colon. They include magnesium, enzymes, herbal teas, and laxatives. Some of these supplements are to be taken orally, while some need to be taken as a rectal enema. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking supplements for colon cleansing.

13. Baking Soda

You Will Need
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of warm water.
  2. Consume this solution every morning.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink this solution once every morning.

Note: Baking soda neutralizes stomach acid as it raises the pH of your stomach, so take it an hour away from eating so that it won’t interfere with the acid in your stomach and its ability to digest your food.

Caution

Be very careful to only use half a teaspoon at a time. Large amounts will shift the pH drastically and can even have fatal effects.

14. Coconut Oil

You Will Need
  • 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil
  • Lemon juice (optional)
  • Yogurt (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Consume organic coconut oil multiple times until you have had 14 tablespoons of it in a day.
  2. Do not consume any solid food during this period, which usually lasts from 3 to 7 days.
  3. Before following the coconut oil detox diet, you can try taking a teaspoon of coconut oil, thrice daily, along with your normal diet and see if the taste and the feel of it suit you.
  4. If the taste of coconut oil is “too oily”, you can add some lemon juice or yogurt.
  5. If you are planning to go for a coconut oil detox, it is important that you are well-versed with its potential side effects before going ahead with the procedure.

Note: Read more about this detox in Dr. Bruce Fife’s book, Coconut Cures.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume coconut oil multiple times daily for 3 to 7 days.

Caution

Pregnant women should stay away from the coconut oil detox diet. Individuals suffering from chronic diseases should consult with their health practitioner.

15. Castor Oil

You Will Need
  • 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons of orange or lemon juice (unsweetened)
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix castor oil and orange or lemon juice in equal amounts.
  2. Drink this on an empty stomach, early in the morning.
  3. After every 15-30 minutes, drink a glass of hot water until you have emptied your bowel at least 2 to 3 times.
  4. Now, consume yogurt or some other fermented dairy product. This will stop your bowel movements.
How Often You Should Do This

You must only do this once in 1 or 2 months.

Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after this drink.

Caution

Pregnant women must avoid consuming castor oil as it can cause miscarriage.

16. Green Tea

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of green tea
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Honey (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Steep a teaspoon of green tea in a cup of hot water for at least 10 minutes.
  2. Allow it cool a little and add some honey.
  3. Consume the tea.
How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea 3 to 4 times daily.

17. Cayenne Pepper

You Will Need
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 1 glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add cayenne pepper powder, honey, and lemon juice to a glass of warm water.
  2. Mix well and consume it.
  3. Avoid consuming solid foods during this period.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 6 to 12 times daily for 10 days.

Note: Lemons are acidic, so it’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after your lemon drink.

Caution

Some detox diets may include medical risks like dehydration, impaired functioning of bowels and metabolic acidosis. Consult your doctor before going ahead with such diets, especially if you are on any medication.

Before deciding to go ahead with these remedies and emptying your colon and bowels, it is important that you are well aware of the risks and side effects that may arise following a natural colon cleanse. Some potential side effects and risks of colon cleansing are discussed below.

Health Risks And Side Effects Of Colon Cleansing

  • Dizziness (which is often a symptom of dehydration)
  • Mineral imbalance in your body
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cramps
  • Allergic reactions
  • Expulsion of helpful gut flora

If these risks and side effects have left you in a dilemma about whether or not you should go ahead with colon cleansing, the following information might help you a bit. Instead of opting for a complete natural colon cleanse, you can just follow the tips mentioned below to keep your colon healthy and functioning.

Prevention Tips

  • Consume foods rich in fiber like cereals, whole grains, bran, oatmeal, fruits, and vegetables. This helps increase your bowel movements and enhances colon health.
  • Increase your intake of fluids.
  • Avoid use of tobacco.
  • Decrease your alcohol intake.
  • Once you turn 50, get yourself screened for colon cancer at regular intervals.