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 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.

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 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.