The colon is one of our most important organs, learn to look after it.

A few thoughts on ways how to decide which cleanse is for you. Keep the following points in mind when selecting a cleansing technique to try:

• It is important to choose cleansing techniques that are not too extreme for your current condition. If you are very weak, you should start slowly and plan for a longer cleanse.
• It is important to choose cleansing techniques that are not to subtle, and therefore ineffective, for your current condition.
• Working closely with a holistic health practitioner who is familiar with detoxification techniques can be extremely important for the following reasons:
  • The practitioner can help you choose the type and strength of cleansing that meets your needs -- not too extreme, yet not to subtle.
  • The practitioner can advise you of any contraindications that may be important for your condition.
  • If any difficulties arise, an experienced practitioner can more easily adjust or stop the program if necessary.
  • A few of these cleanses take a lot of planning and effort. Off-loading some of the planning and effort onto the shoulders of the practitioner will allow you to concentrate more fully on healing, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the cleanse.

Keep in mind that cleansing is an ongoing process and never really finishes. There is no such thing as a clean colon for example as long as you stuff food into it, it will accumulate stuff. Of course you can determine how much stuff (mucoid plaque, worms etc) will accumulate by your lifestyle and the kinds of food you choose.

The healthier and cleaner you get the healthier and cleaner your choices will become (This is a really good thing!).

If you are very sensitive to some item or items that are suggested for the cleanse (i.e., strong allergic reaction), then you will obviously have to stay away from that item. Please keep in mind that many of these cleanses can be adjusted to suit your needs. A healthcare practitioner experienced with cleansing techniques can help you with this. I might be able to provide ideas or suggestions that can help you in this area as well.

Persons with immune system-related disorders should always begin taking new supplements in tiny amounts before the cleanse in order to determine if they are sensitive to the supplement.

When you perform a cleanse, please try to keep the body warm, comfortable, and feeling as nurtured as much as possible. The more difficult cleanses, are therefore much easier to perform in warmer weather. Some people prefer to perform a cleanse during vacation from work so that the work stress doesn't affect the results of the cleanse.

When the body is cleansing, whether through a cleanse technique or simply a positive change in lifestyle, you may experience what is called a "healing crises." The healing crises can last as long as a few days (sometimes longer in rare instances). Some of the symptoms you may experience are:

1. Fever
2. Headaches and other aches and pains
3. Fatigue
4. Skin eruptions
5. Emotional irritability
6. Gas
7. Temporary constipation or diarrhoea
8. Temporary stopping of menstruation
9. Yawning
10. Tight muscles

If almost all cases, it is important to not use drugs to suppress these cleansing symptoms, but instead, to encourage the release of toxins from the body (and the expression of emotions to release pent up emotions when necessary). If you are working closely with a holistic health practitioner, as you should be, the practitioner can help you monitor any cleansing symptoms you have to be certain that they are not more than you can handle in your condition.

In cases where the cleansing symptoms need to be reduced and/or toxins are being dumped into the intestines at a large rate (in persons who have had chemical poisoning, for example), it can be helpful to take an action to avoid having toxins reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

I will list some ideas below that may be helpful in very uncomfortable cleansing reactions. Please realize, however, that it is counterproductive to rely regularly on these techniques, except during a cleanse. Most of the time, acute symptoms should be handled with other natural remedies (e.g., Peppermint tea for stomach upset, etc.)

You may or may not notice sudden, major health improvements immediately after the bowel cleanse is finished. In some cases there have been total elimination of symptoms with just one cleanse. Just remember that internal healing can be taking place even if there is no apparent reduction in symptoms. The reduction in symptoms will come as you slowly build your health using holistic healing techniques.

Also keep in mind that cleansing is a long term process. Yearly cleansing is important and will give you great benefits in the long run. Looking and feeling younger naturally, when everybody else is going for plastic surgery and start complaining about old age symptoms, is a sign that you did something right.

If you have any doubts about the self-healing power of your body, consult your naturopath or health practitioner for advise!