Methods of Colon Cleansing

Dr. Loretta Lanphier

There are many methods for cleansing the colon.  Most of these methods will do a somewhat acceptable job.  However,  cleansing the digestive tract from the small intestine down is much more preferable as the small intestine is where food absorption takes place.  Below are methods that you may have read about and how they work on the digestive tract. 

Colon Hydrotherapy (Colonic Irrigations) 

This currently popular method of intestinal cleansing involves the use of tubing inserted through the anus that is used to deliver a solution to wash and rinse the interior of the colon with purified water, or sometimes water mixed with minerals, organic coffee, or other additives. The process may be repeated several times in a sitting. Colonic irrigation has been known since ancient Egyptian times, where it is referenced in literature.  

Enema 

Enemas are actually a form of colon hydrotherapy that traditionally uses a diverse variety of additives rather than just purified water. When used as a colon cleanser, enemas are often composed of purified water mixed with baking soda, sodium phosphate, or mineral oil, which acts as a lubricant and stool softener. After the enema is administered, the person typically “holds it” for a short period of time, and then expels the enema and bowel contents into the toilet.  Enemas can be very difficult to perform for those who are sick, elderly or over-weight. 

Herbal Supplements 

There are many herbs that act as colonic cleansers or help with constipation by scraping the intestinal lining, sometimes causing irritation.  They generally fall into three distinct categories: Bulk, mild, and purgative. Popular bulk herbs include Flaxseed, psyllium, and fenugreek. Mild herbs that are used for this purpose include dandelion root and leaves, and chickweed. The purgative are the harshest, and they include aloe, rhubarb, buckthorn, cascara sagrada and senna. 

Laxatives 

The term laxative can cover a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs and over-the-counter drugs that stimulate bowel movements with synthetic chemicals. Laxatives and enemas can be abused by those wanting to lose weight or those that tend to binge on food.  Laxatives are habit-forming and can completely shut down bowel action as the bowel learns to rely on artificial stimulation. 

Oxygen-Based Cleansers 

Mag O7 is an example of an oxygen-based cleanser. These are the most effective kind of colon cleansers because they actually provide a wonderful substance known as monatomic or nascent oxygen that totally changes the atmosphere in the bowel and removes impacted fecal matter and other toxins by liquefying them and washing them out of the digestive tract. Oxygen-based cleansers also help to heal the bowel and provide a great atmosphere for good bacteria growth.