Colon Cleansing
Years or decades of eating a less than perfect diet will cause the intestines to accumulate layers and layers of fecal mucoid matter. As a result, food moves more slowly through the intestines, nutrients aren’t well absorbed, moisture is decreased, worms and parasites colonize, unfriendly bacteria thrive, free radicals are formed and toxins can’t be properly eliminated. Fecal mucoid matter buildup also causes stagnant pus pockets filled with various poisons and harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, a dirty colon will also cause disease to manifest anywhere in the body because every tissue of the body is fed by the blood, which is supplied by the bowel. Therefore, cleaning the colon is essential if you want vibrant health, and there are plenty of options for doing so, including Bentonite clay, Psyllium husk powder, herbs, hydrotherapy, and others.

Hydrated Bentonite Clay
Bentonite is a type of clay that comes from volcanic ash and is often used as a thickener in facial masks because it absorbs excess oil and dirt from the skin. Internal use of volcanic ash goes back to the indigenous peoples of the high Andes Mountains, tribes in Central Africa, and the Aborigines of Australia. When taken internally, it acts like a sponge to bind and eliminate non-nutritive and harmful substances from the colon. It can absorb 180 times or more of its own weight of these toxins, thereby making it a powerful detoxification tool. Hydrating bentonite clay makes it easier to take orally, and is manufactured by suspending pure, microfine bentonite clay in purified water. Hydrated Bentonite clay is usually taken with Psyllium husk powder because the synergy of the two removes ample amounts of toxins and fecal mucoid matter.

Psyllium Husk Powder
Psyllium husk powder swells 40 to 60 times its weight when liquid is added. The psyllium binds to the fecal matter as it moves through the intestinal tract, causing it to swell as it absorbs water and waste material in the bowels. This process forms a soft, bulky mass that passes through the colon more quickly and easily than without the Psyllium husk. The Psyllium helps to ensure that potentially toxic waste is more effectively removed from the colon. Psyllium is not digested in the small intestine, but is partially broken down in the colon, where it acts as a food source for friendly flora. Hydrated Bentonite clay is usually taken with Psyllium husk powder because the synergy of the two removes ample amounts of toxins and fecal mucoid matter. The best way to take psyllium husk powder is to mix two rounded teaspoons with six ounces of warm soymilk.

Herbal Formulas
Prior to and during a colon cleanse, it is wise to take an herbal formulation specifically designed for colon cleansing. The herbs prepare the way for the bentonite clay and Psyllium husk powder, ensuring that the fecal mucoid matter is more easily dislodged from the intestinal walls. Various natural product manufacturers sell herbal formulas specifically designed for colon cleansing. Arise & Shine’s product is called “Chomper,” Nature’s Secret has a blend called “Super Cleanse For Your Colon,” Dr. Schultz offers one called “Intestinal Formula #1,” and Dr. Foster’s Essentials offers “Colon Detox Caps.” These blends offer a variety of herbs to serve numerous purposes, including laxative functions, stool softening, destruction of parasites and the loosening of fecal matter from intestinal walls, among other purposes. Custom herbal formulations blends can be found online and at natural food stores.

Minerals & Nutritional Support
For maximum effect during a colon cleanse, abstaining from solid foods for part or all of the cleanse is highly recommended. Therefore, it is very helpful to take nutrient-dense supplements because bentonite clay not only removes toxins, but also removes minerals. You can take one or more green superfoods, such as Klamath Lake algae, chlorella or spirulina. You can also take a liquid mineral formula. Arise & Shine makes one that you can order from their Web site, and several varieties are sold in natural food stores.   Although you won’t be eating solid foods, you can drink freshly-pressed vegetable and wheat grass juices. Freshly-pressed, organic vegetable juices are packed with vitamins and minerals, help cleanse the intestinal tract and can allay hunger, while fresh wheat grass juice is a natural blood purifier that has an excellent nutritional profile.

Enemas & Colonics
When doing a colon cleanse, flushing out the intestinal tract with water is highly recommended because this helps move the fecal matter out faster and more thoroughly. Most people cringe at the idea of doing an enema themselves, or at the thought of a colonic, administered by a colon hydrotherapist. But it’s an amazing way to rid the body of unwanted and decaying waste that has been building up in the intestines for years, or even decades. And it’s a perfect complement to the custom herbal formulas, bentonite clay and psyllium husk supplements. You can easily administer an enema to yourself in the comfort of your own home with an enema bag. Or, you can visit a colon hydrotherapist who will help you get the maximum benefit out of a water cleanse.  Whichever method you choose, you only need to go through the process once every year or two to experience significant rejuvenation results.