Colon cleansing can rid the colon of toxins and help prevent and treat a variety of health problems. Retained debris in the colon leads to the absorption of toxins, resulting in systemic poisoning.

Symptoms of this condition may include depression, fatigue, irritability, gastrointestinal irregularities, mental confusion and even allergic reactions; such as, coughing, sneezing and hives.

Many researchers and nutritionists believe that this toxicity can eventually lead to more serious disorders. The best means of removing toxins and wastes from the body is a fast. This should be the first step in any colon cleansing program.

To prepare for a fast, eat only raw vegetables and fruits for two days. This will make the fast less of a shock to your system. While fasting, consume at least eight 8 ounce glasses of steam distilled water a day, plus pure juices and up to 2 cups of herbal tea a day. Dilute all juices with the steam distilled water - adding about 1 part water to 3 parts juice. Avoid all juices made with sweeteners or other additives and do not drink tomato or orange juice.

Follow the juice, water and herbal tea fast with a two day diet of raw fruits and vegetables. The desired effects of the fast can be ruined by eating cooked foods immediately afterwards because both the size of the stomach and the amount of secreted digestive juices may decrease during fasting. The first meals after a fast should be in small amounts and frequently.

During a fast and toxins are being released from your body, you may experience anxiety, body aches, body odor, bronchial and sinus mucus discharge, confusion, coughing, dark urine; dark, foul smelling stools, diarrhea, dizziness; dry, scaly skin, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, irritability, nausea; and visual or hearing problems. These symptoms are not serious and will pass quickly.

Herbal teas best for use during fasting include alfalfa, burdock, chamomile, dandelion, milk thistle, red clover and rose hips.

Caution: Avoid chamomile altogether if you are allergic to ragweed.

The following remedies and herbal nutritional supplements aid in cleansing the colon.

A colon cleansing drink is made by mixing 1 tablespoon of bentonite with 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed, 1/2 cup of apple juice, 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice and 1/2 cup of steam distilled water. Take this mixture once a day until the colon is clean and not foul smelling.

Drinking 2 parts pau d'arco and echinacea tea mixed with 1 part unsweetened cranberry juice used four times a day will aid in bladder function, rebuild the immune system and rid the colon of unwanted bacteria.

Use peppermint tea for its calming and strengthening effect on the nerves and for indigestion, nausea and gas.

Aloe vera, calendula and peppermint help to restore the acid-alkaline balance of the colon and promote healing.

The herbs burdock, echinacea, horsetail and licorice have detoxifying actions. Caution: Do not use licorice if you have high blood pressure or use it on a daily basis for more than seven days in a row.

The herbs comfrey, elecampane, fenugreek, lobelia and yarrow loosen and flush mucus from the intestines. Caution: Do not use lobelia on an ongoing basis.

Fennel restores the acid-alkaline balance of the colon, flushes the colon, promotes healing and releases waste.

Garlic eliminates parasites. Roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms and hookworms are all succumb to the volatile powers of garlic.

Marshmallow restores the acid-alkaline balance of the colon, promotes healing and loosens and flushes mucus from the intestines.

Pau d'arco has detoxifying actions, promotes healing and restores the acid-alkaline balance of the colon.

Slippery elm soothes inflammation and cleanses excess waste from the colon. For quick relief - use slippery elm tea as an enema.

The herbs barberry, buckthorn, butternut bark, cascara sagrada, flaxseed, red raspberry, rhubarb and senna can be used to flush the colon and release waste. Caution: Do not use barberry during pregnancy.