People have lived eons without purging their colons. I suspect they didn’t give it a thought or would understand the concept. There were no advertisements touting benefits for colonics or natural colon cleaners.

On the Other Hand, diets were more natural with lots of fiber, more varied with the seasons and less filled with toxic additives or loaded with refined carbohydrates and genetically altered grains. To speculate further, due to average shorter lifetimes, their intestines might not have had to endure as long.

All this said, and recognizing that balanced, more natural diets, good fluid intake and exercise are the best steps taken for intestinal health, most people have occasional bouts of discomfort.

If that happens, where do we turn? What action do we take? Understanding both the bodily functions and the meaning of a colon cleanse vs a laxative may guide you.

Your Colon and Choices

A colon works to digest our food. In typical situations, our digestion takes approximately 24 hours. Poor eating habits or periods of dietary indulgence can significantly delay the process. This delay can be several days or longer. When undigested food materials sit in the intestines and accumulate there, it can cause discomfort. Bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, and sometimes tiredness and lack of energy can be experienced with the lingering of amassed fecal waste.

To rid these feelings, people often turn to a laxative or a colon cleanser. But what, if anything, is the difference?

While this post is not a comprehensive report of colon cleansing, it may provide some general principles and practices. Specifically, a few ‘systemic’ approaches compared to mechanical ones (the latter meaning not by mouth).

Colon Cleansing vs. Laxative

I once saw a description of this difference as laxatives having a “job” and colon cleansers making a “promise.” I thought that clever, especially as we all know not all promises are kept.

Laxatives work in the lower bowel. Usually (except for colonoscopy-prep types), these are over-the-counter preparations either in powder, tablet or capsule form. They are strong and work through various processes.

The different categories of laxatives include:

1. Bulk-forming – perhaps most common and most gentle. (Psyllium is the most notable ingredient.)
2. Stimulants – encourage bowel muscles to squeeze and move stool through the large intestine.
3. Stool Softeners – as their name implies, combat hard, dry stools with water from the body.
4. Osmotic laxatives – do something similar by pulling water into the bowel.
5. Lubricants – aid stool slide with a coating action. (The product Fleet is an example.) The dreaded Castor oil of our childhoods is both a lubricant and a stimulant (and clearly not to be confused with Castrol oil for your car’s engine).

Colon Cleansers are generally used with the idea (or promise) of intestinal “detox.” These colon cleansers (CC) also have different types.

1. Mechanical (not by mouth) as in colonics (colon hydrotherapy or irrigation) in which water is flushed through the colon.
2. Systemic CC (taken by mouth) are tablets, capsules, powders, pastes or teas.

A Warning or Two

Risks for either laxatives or colon cleansers (CC) are multiplied by repeated or frequent use. (I’ll point out an exception later.) One problem with overuse of laxatives is that they can easily become addictive and stall or slow the body’s natural operations between uses.

The risks of CCs are normally not severe, with a few exceptions particularly for mechanical procedures. For instance, the use of colonics is especially frowned upon for those with:

• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Bowel disease/or past bowel surgery

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a rather common Diagnosis. “Syndrome” indicates a collection of symptoms, and I often wonder if everyone pigeon-holed as having IBS is actually experiencing the assortment of signs and symptoms, or if it is a convenient label for these discomforts. Nevertheless, IBS suffers may want to consider carefully before using at-home remedies.

Addressing occasional discomfort with an oral system, CC use may relieve certain IBS issues, just as it can with other folks. However, there are more dire risks to mechanical types of approaches.  These can be a problem for us all, but even more so to those sensitive with IBS.

Colonics (colonic hydrotherapy or irrigation) with fluid flushing can irritate or exacerbate preexisting conditions, especially irritable bowels. Even for those without existing bowel irritation there can be issues of concern. I’m not a foe of colonics. Speaking to advocates, you may hear numerous benefits such as “lighter” feelings from those who participate in receiving a colonic. I simply want to enumerate some risks. And suggest it never be done routinely.

1. The protective mucous lining of the colon can be irritated (in rare cases with unsterile equipment it can be compromised).
2. An imbalance between minerals and water can lead to dehydration, a condition we always want to avoid.
3. Large volumes of water taken in by a colonic (or sometimes even with a water enema), especially with rapid filling and emptying can cause painful spams (due to extending and stretching the bowels) and lead to harsh cramping.
4. Gut dysbiosis. Gut bacteria can be disrupted. Probiotics used to be routinely suggested to patients with gut problems (especially IBS). We want to keep our beneficial microbes (the “friendly flora”). Unfortunately, flushing the large intestine can wash these cooperative critters away.

Cascara Sagrada.

Colon cleansers that are systemic or taken orally should not be overused any more than laxatives. This includes herbal varieties. One example is Cascara Sagrada.

I often think of Cascara Sagrada (which is made from the bark of a plant called Frangula Purchiana) as being closer to a laxative than a colon cleanse. Here too, I repeat that I am not a foe of this herb. I have a bottle on my shelf. It is a strong agent to combat a severe case of constipation. It is effective.

However, its use should be monitored and limited. Perhaps best to buy it in small quantities. I would never take it (or hopefully need it) for more than a couple/three days. If you reach for it more than once or twice per YEAR, perhaps more personal evaluation is needed.  For instance, an assessment of what you are eating (too much refined), or doing (such as certain disruptive pharmaceuticals or constipating opioids) or not doing (such as exercise, movement, and drinking enough fluid).

Commercial Brands

At this point, I suspect you realize that I don’t suggest frequent use of laxatives or colon cleansing (CC) products. That’s so.

Although, I could be talked into supporting the use of old-time powder products (like Metamucil) that are basically comprised of psyllium husks or natural plant fibers. This would be especially so for those who remain unable (hmm?) to put enough fiber in their diet. The same can’t be said for another old-fashioned item. Epson Salts solution (Magnesium Sulfate) may work quickly but is very bitter in taste and if overdone can lead to magnesium toxicity.

There are myriad commercial brands of all these products.

Regarding Laxatives. As far as modern alternatives to these mentioned above, Polyethylene Glycol is probably the gold standard for most docs to recommend. Examples of products include those such as MiraLAX, Dulcolax and their generics. They work fast and effectively, especially if not abused with frequent usage.

Regarding Commercial Colon Cleansers. Skipping to considerations of commercial brands of systemic colon cleaners, I admit to having little experience or knowledge. I prefer two easy recipes I know (coming up below). It’s difficult to trust the recommendations of others, whether it be because they are promoting a product or simply repeating endorsements of another source (which sadly, I am about to do). Thus, you are warned – take this section with that proverbial grain-of-salt.

In this category I’ll share the top 3 commercial brands of cleaners recommended by the Central Broadcasting System (CBS) channel and the top 3 from Consumers Reviews and Colon Health Magazine. All claim natural ingredients and to be effective. I’ll also mention that often such products change names and ingredients or simply duplicate the formulations of others.

From CBS:

1. Nature’s Cleanse (best in their view)
2. Colon Revitalize (#2)
3. Total Cleanse (runner-up)

From Consumer’s Reviews:

1. Oxy‑Powder (Global Healing)
2. My Gentle Detox (Herbal Nitro)
3. Colon Broom

From my personal point of view, all six of these solutions are rather pricey compared to the home remedies below. Remember however, I have no particular experience with any of this merchandise.

Home Remedy Recipes

I reaffirm that with a good lifestyle, we rarely need to give our colons a second thought.  If we do decide to use such products, which can be helpful, effective and basically safe (especially in this category), we shouldn’t rely only on them as a push for colon waste buildup, as opposed to appropriate health habits.

I’m sharing two colon cleansing recipes for which I am familiar. They’re simple and relatively quick to act over a couple days.

The first (Maple Syrup Cleanse) is more a prn or ‘as needed’ combo. The great selling point for this one is that generally we can find all the ingredients in our kitchen, just not mixed together. Sometimes you will see this called the Master Cleanse and often recommended for a two-week period (twice as long as my recipe below). I think that 7 days is long enough to ‘reset’ any temporary digestive imbalance. Others are recommending the 14-day approach as a method to improve gut health, suggesting lots of benefits, such as higher energy levels, reduced bloating, elimination of constipation and smoother digestion.

The second (Yakima Fruit Paste) is more preventative and can be used for maintenance but takes more time for preparations. Note the optional ingredient for consideration (brown sugar) that may not be appropriate for someone with severe blood sugar issues. The recipe is large but is to be put in freezer (won’t harden). Because of its ingredients we may forego the warning of not using it regularly. It’s the exception to the rule. That may be a plus for lots of folks.

Maple Syrup Cleanse

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of organic maple syrup (preferably organic, grade B or dark amber)
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (preferably fresh-squeezed but that’s not a game killer)
• < 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (don’t overdo)
• 1 ¼ cup of water (preferably filtered)

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a glass or container. Stir well until blended.
2. Sip ¼ cup at a time throughout the day (would be 5 servings).
3. Follow routine daily as needed. Suggest not exceeding 7 days.

Yakima Fruit Paste

Ingredients:

• 1-pound prunes
• 1-pound raisins
• 1-pound figs
• 4 cups brown sugar (some recipes list this as “optional” but I think it is compelling for compliance. However, it may be eliminated for those with diabetes or other blood sugar concerns.)
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 3-4 tea bags (or preferably 4 loose ounces) of Senna Tea

Instructions:

1. Brew tea for 5 minutes in 2 ½ cups of boiled water.
2. Strain tea (especially if loose leaves are used rather than tea bags).
3. Add the tea to a big pot (especially if making a full recipe, a large pot is easier).
4. Add all the fruit.
5. Boil tea with the added fruit for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Add brown sugar and lemon juice.
8. Allow to cool.
9. Use food processor, or hand-mixer, to stir all until smooth paste.
10. Put in freezer-safe container and place in freezer (it shouldn’t get too hard).
11. Spoon out 1-2 tablespoons/day. You can spread it on bread or toast, add it to hot water for a warm drink or just lick it from the spoon.

FINAL THOUGHT

The body generally cleanses itself naturally without outside intervention. I agree with gastroenterologists that there is little evidence to support mechanical colon cleansing done on a regular basis is advisable. We can consider a balanced, fiber-rich diet with good fluid intake and various types of movement and exercise as our best plan for colon health.

Nevertheless, when there are occasional times of discomfort refer back to some of these suggestions for either a short-term, fast fix or a gentle home remedy.

I thought about ending with a joke, but
constipation jokes aren’t my favorite.
Still, they’re a solid #2.

—

Revisit:

Maximizing YOUR Potty Potential (https://agingwithpizzazz.com/maximizing-your-potty-potential/)

Picture credit: Photo by Elen Sher on Unsplash

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