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The trend is the removal of toxins and trapped wastes in the body using natural means. The premise is that the human body simply needs a “nudge” in the right direction. This means all the detoxifying processes activate natural cleansing capabilities of the body.
Colonic irrigation
Colonic irrigation is the systematic application of water to force trapped indigestible waste out of the colon. Traditionally, the colon is filled manually with water to capacity. The person being irrigated then manually has to expel all the water out.
What results from the manual irrigation of course is the manual elimination of the contents of the colon. Most colonic clinics or “detox” clinics no longer use the manual method.
People who whish to have their colon irrigated are now hooked to specialized machines. These machines control the temperature and flow of water, to and from the body.
Most detoxifying programs require persons to undergo colonic irrigation everyday for at least a week. The idea is to get as much waste and as many toxins out for better results.
What comes out during irrigation? Aside from loose waste, there are also impacted “mucoid plaques” inside the colon. These mucoid plaques are blackish, rubbery strips of indigestible proteins and other waste products.
Some are about two feet long when removed, and may weigh between 5 to 10 pounds.
Specialized diets
To aid in stabilizing the colon, persons be detoxified are required to fast for a few days. Special juices are given, to be drunk at least five times a day.
The idea here is to make the body lighter and to initiate the toxin-removal mechanisms of the body. During periods of hunger, the natural reaction of the body is elimination of toxins and waste products.
What are these juices made off? The answer is fruits and vegetables. Lemon, cabbages and carrots are popular choices. Since detoxifying individuals are not allowed to eat, they are required to drink an ounce of juice for every pound of body weight.
This translates to roughly at least a gallon of juice for a normal-sized person.
What happens when toxins begin to pour out of the body? Daniel Reid, author of the book The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity sheds light on the matter:
“It takes at least 24 hours for the body to start pouring toxins into the bloodstream for elimination, soon after which it will be carrying up to 10 times its normal load. You will feel weak, fatigued, stiff, light-headed and perhaps a bit nauseous, much like a hangover."
Other Steps
Other steps in detoxifying programs include the use of “liver flushes” or juices that help clean the liver and skin brushing. Skin brushing is massaging the nerve endings of the surface of the skin to help release toxins.
Skin brushing and the application of heat (soaking in a very hot bath, for example) are just two ways that toxin removal can be initiated with the skin.
There is a lot of conjecture both within and outside the medical profession on the leading question: is colonic irrigation harmful? Ask any doctor and you will usually receive one of two answers. One is absolutely not and the other is usually not too clear. The reason for the indecision is that most doctors find it hard to prove that colonic irrigation is harmful and many more, especially of the younger generation will wholeheartedly endorse flushing the colon to remove the impurities that the body can build up there over a period of time.
It goes without saying that any doctor who will suggest colon cleaning as a form of treatment will do so as part of a package that includes a healthier eating pattern and possibly a more active life style. Colon cleaning can be a very positive step, but if the person who undertakes a course of colonic irrigation yet continues to eat the wrong food and leave a sedentary life style then the effects of the treatment will be minimalized.
No self respecting medical practitioner will suggest to a patient that colon cleansing should be carried out on a weekly basis or even monthly. The minimum intervals between treatments should be no less than three months, and the ideal interval should be a year. Another question that a doctor may ask is which method of colonic cleaning will be used. Depending on the state of the patient's health, the doctor will probably advise on never undertaking a colon cleansing using methods or chemicals that are too radical.
Too sum up on the question of is colon irrigation harmful, the answer should be a negative one, as long as it is carried out sensibly, preferably under supervision and at reasonable intervals. On the other hand if the patient embarks on a healthier life style, the necessity to have their colon cleaned will be considerably reduced and their health will show a marked improvement.