The colon is part of our gastrointestinal tract, it is the longest part of the large intestine, which is connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other.
Its function is to absorb nutrients, water and many other substances such as vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, necessary for the proper functioning of the body in general, which also leave residues that are not absorbed by the body.
Although it is true that our body is perfectly designed to purify itself, currently there are different factors that do not allow this purification to be carried out properly and that is why there is a greater increase in the population willing to use colon cleansing.
In addition to its health benefits, such as detoxifying the body, improving the digestive system, the immune system and increasing the absorption of nutrients, colon cleansing also improves concentration, helps to lose weight, eliminates bad breath and increases physical energy.
In the following article we present you in depth what colon cleansing consists of and how you can do it naturally.
What is colon cleansing?
Colon cleansing is mostly indicated by health professionals, after conducting studies, to learn more about conditions related to the intestinal tract.
Dr. Rodrigo Valderrama, gastroenterologist at Clínica Alemana, explains “My experience with the preparation of colonoscopies is that there is indeed a group of highly variable and random individuals, without a characteristic clinical pattern, who feel very well after cleaning the colon. . This is where this therapy is accepted.”
Currently, this technique is becoming more useful due to its multiple health benefits, despite the fact that our body is designed to clean itself.
That is why alternative medicine professionals offer colon cleansing since it helps with the detoxification of the organism, as well as they consider that it improves health by eliminating toxins.
Among the techniques for colon cleansing we have colon hydrotherapy, which consists of inserting a double circulation cannula through the rectum, so that, through one, the water that enters through one route and exits through another with the stool is pumped.
We can also do this cleaning by drinking natural drinks, since they can also bring benefits to our body.
Benefits of colon cleansing
Although it is true that our digestion mechanism provides us with the necessary nutrients for the proper functioning of the body, today the quality of food is not ideal, as well as the conditions of absorption, assimilation and the quality of evacuation are very below what it should be.
This is where colon cleansing and its benefits come to play a leading role, since it helps us with the faster elimination of toxins from our body. For this reason, in some cases it is necessary to perform a colon cleansing for its optimal performance.
However, Dr. Rodrigo Valderrama, a gastroenterologist from Clínica Alemana, points out, with reference to who should perform or indicate colon cleansing, it must be a health professional, who evaluates the risk-benefit for each patient, at the time of putting it into practice. some technique.
Among some of the benefits we have:
detoxifies the body
Within the colon, certain amounts of waste can remain that are not eliminated and this can eventually cause different conditions in our body, since these toxins can be reabsorbed by the colon.
Thus, cleaning the colon helps us keep our body free of toxins, so that we can lead a much healthier life.
A clean colon makes it work properly and the body can better assimilate all the nutrients offered by the food we eat.
Improves the digestive system
When we do not have a healthy diet we run the risk of weakening our health in general, and therefore also our gastrointestinal system.
Colon cleansing is an alternative to improve our digestion, since it allows undigested waste to be discarded by the body more quickly since the entire system is clear, it is also advisable to acquire new and better eating habits.
Improves the immune system
It is important to keep the colon clean, since when it is saturated with unwanted toxins, it is more prone to the appearance of allergies or infections, digestive problems, skin problems and viruses associated with flu.
Increases nutrient absorption
The colon is part of our gastrointestinal tract, which has the function of absorbing nutrients, water and many other substances such as vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, which are beneficial to our body.
This absorption occurs correctly if we have a clean colon, otherwise what our body will absorb will be toxins and bacteria.
improve concentration
Loss of concentration can be associated with a poor diet and poor absorption of vitamins.
Excessive accumulation of toxins in the colon can prevent the body from getting what it needs to function properly, even if we eat a healthy diet.
That is why a proper colon cleanse can make a big difference when we feel alert and not be able to stay focused on our day to day.
Helps lose weight
By cleaning the colon we are eliminating from our system those foods that do not contain fiber and that are slower to digest, so this can lead to weight loss and put the metabolism in better operation.
Combining this cleanse with drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, and exercising helps us achieve that ideal weight.
Eliminate bad breath
Unhealthy foods produce toxins, which can lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora.
It can also be noticed in the breath, since the mouth and the colon are connected because they are part of our gastrointestinal system and that is why the smell that this area gives off reaches us, for this reason it is necessary to keep the colon clean.
Increases physical energy
When our body has a good absorption of vitamins and nutrients from the good diet we have, this keeps us full of energy during the day to day.
Despite having good digestion, it is very important to cleanse the colon regularly, in order to prevent our body from absorbing unwanted toxins that, in the long term, can cause health problems.
Natural drinks to cleanse the colon
Natural drinks with detoxifying properties are an easy way to contribute to colon cleansing.
For this reason, we present a series of drinks that, due to their components, help take care of the health of your colon.
aloe vera and lemon juice
The natural cleansing properties of aloe and lemon are well known, which help the body to eliminate toxins and waste, which is why it is used for colon cleansing and weight loss.
Ingredients
- 1 stalk of aloe vera
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 liter of water
Preparation
- Wash the aloe vera leaf very well and remove all the bark.
- Scrape the gel from the aloe vera and pour it into a container with the water.
- Beat it until it is perfectly incorporated into the water, then add the lemon juice.
It is recommended to drink it for 10 days on an empty stomach without adding any type of sweetener. In the same way, it can be taken as many times as you want in the day, since this juice is not harmful to health.
Green juice
These juices are varied and the best thing is that in a single drink the properties of vegetables and fruits that benefit the body are combined.
Ingredients
- Green celery
- Parsley
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Water
Preparation
- The first thing is to wash all the vegetables very well.
- Cut the green celery and the parsley, place them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend very well until everything is well processed.
It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach and immediately, to prevent it from oxidizing.
Apple juice
Due to its fiber content, apple juice can help to get relief in case of mild digestive discomfort, it also provides hydration to our body.
Ingredients
- Apple
- Water
Preparation
- Wash the apple very well and cut into small pieces and remove the seeds.
- Place in the blender with the water and blend until everything is well combined.
- Pass through a strainer if desired or consume like this.
It can be consumed at any time of the day.
ginger tea
This tea has multiple properties, it has been used for centuries to alleviate different disorders as an alternative remedy against digestion since it facilitates the absorption of nutrients and promotes the elimination of waste accumulated in the colon.
Ingredients
- Ginger
- Hot water
Preparation
- Place water to heat, wash and cut the ginger root into slices, depending on the size, about 20 or 30 slices will come out.
- Prick each of the slices with a fork so that once in the water they give off their aroma better. When the water boils, turn off the heat and add the ginger slices.
Allow to cool slightly before taking it and it can be taken at any time of the day.
anise tea
The properties of anise help fight gas, reduce inflammation, calm acidity and improve digestion in general.
Ingredients
- Anise
- Hot water
Preparation
- Place the water in a pot over a high heat, and when it starts to boil, add the star anise.
- Let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes over low heat.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for 2 more minutes, strain the liquid and you can now enjoy the infusion.
The recommendation is to consume it 2 times a day, after lunch or dinner and no more than a week.
Infusion of vinegar and honey
This infusion helps to improve conditions related to the digestive system, for cleaning or even for losing weight. On the other hand, it also helps with colon cleansing.
Ingredients
- Apple vinager
- Honey bee
- Water
Preparation
- All the ingredients should be mixed, until they are well integrated.
It is recommended to take it on an empty stomach, for a period of no more than 5 days.
warm water with sea salt
Cleaning with water and salt is an organic way to cleanse the colon and without leaving home, it is also more effective if done on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Ingredients
- Sea salt
- Warm water
Preparation
- First we heat the water, without letting it boil.
- In a container, place the hot water and the salt, mix until the salt is completely dissolved.
It is important to mention that the consumption of sea salt water should be immediately, then you should lie on your side and massage the abdomen on one side, then repeat on the other.
Within moments, you will begin to feel the need to go to the bathroom. Efforts should be made to avoid expulsion of the solution as much as possible.
When you feel that you can’t take it anymore, you immediately go to the bathroom, most likely you will have to go more than once, until your colon is completely clean and empty.
Colon Cleansing Considerations
We have already seen that colon cleansing is properly recommended for those people who are going to undergo a medical examination such as a colonoscopy or due to the need for surgery.
However, there are more people who undergo this cleaning for the benefits it brings to the body.
However, it must be taken into account that it is an alternative therapy and that it is a health professional who must indicate and apply it, since the risk-benefit balance must be considered for each patient.
In the same way, the intake of drinks to purify the body of harmful toxins should be done in moderation, since although it is true that they provide a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, their consumption should not be exceeded because they can also reach affect the organism, since nothing in excess is good.
Therefore it is good to consult with the doctor if you have any doubts, so that he is the one who guides us in the right direction towards a healthier life.
Colon Cleanse Risks
Mainly, the history of each patient must be taken into account, if a colon cleansing is to be performed using the colon hydrotherapy method, since this procedure can be risky in people with intestinal perforations or acute intestinal ulcers.
Also in those who underwent previous colon surgeries, in hypertensive patients, with cancerous colon tumors or those with acute-stage hemorrhoids, among other conditions.
As we mentioned before, before any alternative practice for the benefit of our health, we should consult a professional, to help us see which practice is more beneficial to improve our health.
Precautions for performing a colon cleanse
If you want to try this alternative therapy, before putting it into practice, mainly:
- A doctor should be consulted since he is trained to either perform the therapy or to inform us of the benefits that we can obtain and also of how harmful it could be to our health in general.
- It should also be taken into account that the instruments used for this practice are completely sterile and disposable, and have not been used on another patient.
In the same way, if you opt for the route of detoxifying drinks, it is advisable to consume them in the morning, on an empty stomach if possible. Always choosing the one that best suits your needs.
It is to make it known that these drinks are not everything. They should be combined with an exercise routine and a healthy diet, in this way we also help maintain a healthy and clean colon.
Don’t forget something very important, which is to make sure that you always follow the specific instructions that your doctor has given you.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.