The colon, or large intestine, is the final, thicker part of the gastrointestinal system. It is the last lap that food waste needs to pass through before being excreted from the body in the form of feces.

However, unhealthy diets and digestive problems sometimes cause blockages in the colon, where impacted feces and toxins can accumulate. This can cause chronic constipation or frequent, sharp cramps in the lower quadrants of the stomach. Knowing how to cleanse your colon properly can help prevent these symptoms, as well as improve colon health and facilitate weight loss.

There are several methods available for people looking for methods for a colon cleanse, which range from giving their gastrointestinal system a mild nudge to more thorough clinical methods. These have been listed below in order of complexity.

Home Remedies for Colon Cleansing

The following methods can be prepared at home:

1. Water

One of the simplest ways of loosening stools is to drink more water. Usually, by the time food reaches the colon, it has been completely digested. However, when people don't drink enough fluids, the waste that reaches this stage is too hard or too small to be pushed along the bowels properly. In addition, extra water can also help promote appropriate peristalsis — the concerted movements of bowel muscles that push feces along.

Water is the best natural detoxifier. Before considering a more invasive colon cleanse or reaching for a laxative, it's a good idea to take a look at recent water intake. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day may be all that's needed.

2. Raw juices

Raw juices provide all the benefits of a water cleanse, but they also add fiber into the mix. Fiber, especially insoluble fiber (like the kind found in raw vegetables and fruits) can add volume to feces and make them softer. This will help the body arrange its own colon cleanse.

There are many recipes available for detoxifying using raw juices. Learning how to cleanse your colon with them is simple: it's a matter of combining half a cup of raw leafy greens (like spinach, celery, or beets), a sweet fruit (like apples, prunes, or oranges), and some water and blending it into a smooth juice. These juices work better when taken first thing in the morning.

3. Herbal teas

Nowadays, it is also very easy to find colon-cleansing herbal tea blends in most supermarkets. Sometimes, these teas may be labeled as "detoxifying", "purifying" or "weight loss tea". Exact ingredients vary according to the brand, but they often contain primarily green tea (Camellia sinensis), often mixed with senna (Cassia senna) or fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).

4. Live-culture yogurt

Another common cause of constipation and bowel blockage is an imbalance in the intestinal flora or the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut and help human digestion. Because of this, probiotic foods are often recommended for those who are curious about how to clean colons gently and naturally.

One of the most widely-available and safest probiotic foods is live culture yogurt. This can be included as a tasty part of a meal. People who are looking for a colon cleanse should try adding chopped fruits, chia seeds, or even flaxseed to their yogurt every morning, as this will add fiber.

Medical Colon-Cleansing Methods

If home remedies are no longer doing the trick, you may want to research how to cleanse your colon with assistance from a health practitioner:

1. Colonic hydrotherapy

This is an ambulatory medical treatment that requires the patient to visit a doctor's office or a licensed therapy clinic. It involves using a machine to insert warm water all the way to the start of the large intestine and then extracting it. The water should then help loosen the dry stool that is stuck in the colon, which then leaves the body as the water is pumped out.

In addition to the procedure itself, most practitioners are likely to examine the patient in order to get to the root cause of frequent constipation. Sometimes, a consultation with a nutritionist or nurse may also be included, in order to help design a diet that will help prevent the problem from recurring.

2. Enemas

Enemas work on the same principle as colonic hydrotherapy, but usually only affect the last quarter of the intestine. It doesn't require any specialised equipment, so an at-home kit can usually be purchased at a pharmacy.

Enemas also tend to work faster than colonic hydrotherapy. However, they also tend to be a bit rougher and more painful. This is why they are commonly recommended only in the case of severe constipation or right before having surgery.

Side Effects of Colon Cleansing

All medical treatments, even the ones that fall within the scope of alternative medicine, can sometimes have complications or side effects.

People who are still learning how to clean their colon for the first time should watch for the following side effects, and contact a physician if they persist:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Sharp cramps lasting longer than an hour
• Diarrhea lasting more than a day

Conclusion

Colon cleansing is not necessary for everyone, but it can provide a lot of relief for those who suffer from frequent constipation or need to detox. Learning how to do it safely is very important. It is recommended for people to try the least invasive home methods first, before moving onto more invasive enemas or supplements. Learn more about how to cleanse your colon, and the benefits it brings, in the video below.