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Transporting waste from the small intestine to the rectum, the colon belongs to the digestive system and measures a whopping six feet long. Along the twists and turns of the colon, primary functions can suffer inactivity or sluggishness. Today, the market is saturated with colon cleanse remedies and kits. However, within the comforts of your own home – solutions really do exist.

Why a Colon Cleanse?

The colon extracts moisture from digested food before it is excreted during a trip to the bathroom [1]. When a buildup of toxins or a slow-moving digestive tract develops, the colon does not work to its maximum capacity. One of the most common reasons for a colon cleanse is to improve functionality, as well as ease the symptoms or prevent constipation. Other reasons why people enlist the help of a colon cleanse includes:

• Weight loss
• Increased energy levels
• Improved concentration
• Boosting overall health
• Clear skin
• Absorption of vitamins and minerals

Colon Cleanse Home Remedies

From the ‘Lemonade Diet’ to making changes to your eating habits, home remedies for cleansing the colon usually include an increase of fiber-rich, fiery or toxin-fighting foods and supplements. To get your digestive tract moving in the right direction, consider the following suggestions:

a) Juice Diet:

Cleanse the colon with healthy servings of fresh fruit juices that work towards flushing out harmful toxins in the body. When increasing the amount of fruit in your diet, don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

b) Fiber-Rich Foods [2]:

Eating a diet that includes foods packed with fiber can help cleanse the colon. Not only will you have a healthy colon, but also cut down your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Foods high in fiber include raspberries, pears and apples (with their skins), oat bran muffins, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal, split peas, lentils, black beans, cooked artichoke, and baked beans.

c) Garlic:

Use garlic to cleanse your system out by getting rid of harmful bacteria.

d) Fruits and Vegetables:

When cooking, make it a habit to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your recipes, especially celery, carrots, and beets. Add soups and salads to your meal plan. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and fibers aid in the digestion process.

e) Flax Seeds:

To increase your bowel movements, flax seeds prove beneficial. Creative ways to include flax seeds in a diet includes adding to bread recipes, soups, salads, and smoothies.

f) Aloe Vera Juice:

Take advantage of a natural laxative by heating aloe vera juice (from the leaf) over a low flame and drinking.

g) Tea:

Drinking a tea filled with herbs possessing laxative components can help an individual battling a blocked colon. Herbals teas offer a gentle cleansing effect. Popular choices in laxative teas include senna and licorice. For a quicker and stronger effect, steep tea bags longer than usual.

h) Rhubarb:

Take a traditional Chinese approach to cleansing the colon by using rhubarb root as a laxative. This perennial plant is tarty in taste, but contains a powerful compound called ‘anthraquinones’ that irritates the colon and encourages a bowel movement. Tannins found in the root are also thought to lessen inflammation of the colon. Besides the dried root, people have used rhubarb capsules and liquid extracts to treat medical problems.

i) Fennel:

Working against pesky bacteria found in the body, fennel can help purge the system of impurities.

j) Routine Exercise:

To get your insides moving and active, implement a daily exercise routine, such as aerobics, walking the dog, biking, swimming, or using indoor equipment.

k) Water:

Drinking between eight and 10 glasses of water on a daily basis keeps your colon happy and healthy.

l) Coffee:

While the typical enema uses warm water to promote a bowel movement, consider using the caffeine found in coffee to cause colon muscles to contract and cleanse. Prepare one cup of strong coffee without any added sweeteners or creamers. After the coffee has cooled, fill a rubber ball syringe and squirt into your anus. Allow the coffee to sit for two to three minutes and then push out the liquid.

Resources

[1] http://www.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582