Continued from Part 1 of Herbal Colon Cleanser Ingredients…

Key Ingredients of Many Herbal Colon Cleanser Formula’s…

Psyllium (Plantago psyllium and Plantago ovata): Psyllium is an herb native to many countries that lie just above or below the sub-tropical belt. Its laxative properties are well documented and largely due to its ability as a mucilaginous fiber (gel-forming in water) to swell, retain moisture and add bulk to stools making them softer and easier to pass. Along with this ability of the soluble fiber it contains is the important work the seed husk, which is insoluble, can do. Once in the gut the seed husk ferments and in the process creates butyrate, which is widely believed to be particularly helpful in dealing with ulcerative colitis and colonic health generally.

Aloe Leaf (Aloe Baradensis Miller): Aloe leaf has been used to treat many conditions, depending on which part of the leaf is used – there are four parts. There is documented evidence from clinical trials in the UK 2004 where patients received aloe vera gel as part of their treatment of ulcerative colitis and 38% showing improvement. Pharmaceutical companies have extracted the juice from just below the leaf’s surface to provide an effective laxative, though is bitter to taste and may cause cramps when taken. Made into a beverage it has also been proven to act upon constipation though diarrhea can often be a side effect. As a fresh ingredient, its mucilaginous property is exploited when treating conditions of the intestinal tract where it assists the breakdown of food deposits and their subsequent transit.

Senna (Cassia senna, C acutifolia, C angustfolia, C marilandica): Senna has for centuries been recognised as an effective laxative. Intestinal contractions or spasms are caused in the digestive tract when the anthroquinones it contains react with bacteria present. It should not be used as an alternative to a high fiber diet as prolonged use can cause dependency and even toxicity. Senna pods or leaf extracts are used to make the commercially available laxative.

Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): Just like nutmeg and mace are parts of the same thing, so are Rhamnus purshiana and Cascara Sagrada. Using the dried bark, preferable three years old or more, Rhamnus purshiana provides the laxative Cascara Sagrada. The aging of the bark reduces the cathartic effect and like psyllium in the gut, intestinal bacteria acting upon it causes it to transform so that peristalsis in the large intestine is encouraged. This renewing of the peristalsis action is typical of any good herbal colon cleanser.

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