We tend to think of herbs as mere aromatic plants with soothing, benign properties which are beneficial to our health. Herbs can be that. And then there are other kinds of herbs which pack a pretty potent punch with side effects!

What kinds of herbs are found inside herbal colon cleansers? Many people are uninformed about what makes up an herbal colon cleanser. It’s important to know what’s inside your colon cleanse product.

Researchers have uncovered scientific data on various herbs and botanicals. Colon cleanse products that use ingredients that have been heavily researched are said to be scientifically-based.

Let’s go through some of the common herbs and see not just the good benefits which manufacturers already emphasize, but also some of the other side effects these herbs may elicit.

• Senna leaves is a stimulant laxative containing anthraquinones. Small quantities of anthraquinones can be found in cabbage and lettuce. When used in the right dosage with the right duration in herbal colon cleansers, senna does not pose any threat and is known to have a prokinetic effect on the gastrointestinal system.

Potential side effects or contra indications: Research suggests that senna should not be used for more than 10 days consecutively and for no longer than 2 weeks duration in any herbal colon cleanse program. Used for a long durations or too frequently it may lead to laxative dependency. (The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.)

• Cascara Sagrada is another stimulant laxative used in a number of colon cleanse products. According to the Food and Drugs Administration, it should not be used more than 7 days unless prescribed by a doctor.

Potential side effects or contra indications: If used longer than 7 days, it may lead to stomach cramps and abdominal discomfort. It may also lead to laxative dependency. There is some concern over some recent research that shows that it may be genotoxic.

• Bentonite clay, used in some herbal colon cleansers, is believed to remove toxins from the system. It acts as a bulking agent in the digestive process.

Potential side effects or contra indications: There is not much scientific support that bentonite clay removes toxins from the body. Bentonite combined with other ingredient in herbal colon cleansers could be responsible for the graphic displays of grotesque stool formations advertised on some colon cleanse websites as proof of a thorough cleanse from years of accumulated waste.

• Dietary fiber is an important aspect to colonic health. Fiber acts as a bulking agent and helps to move waste matter more easily down the digestive tract. It also binds toxins to itself, thus removing them from the intestinal tract before they have had a chance to be absorbed by the body. You should look for this ingredient in herbal colon cleansers.

The Food and Drugs Administration has found psyllium husks to be a safe dietary fiber. It has approved a claim that dietary supplement manufacturers can make on their labels stating: "3g to 12g soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk when included as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease" The Food and Drugs Administration also states that psyllium seed husks are "a source of a soluble and insoluble fiber useful in maintaining regularity and healthy intestinal function. For use as an appetite suppressant."

Potential side effects or contra indications: No known side effects

Sometimes colon cleanse products include flax seeds instead of psyllium husk, but flax seed is not the best source of dietary fiber. According to the Food and Drugs Administration, there are concerns about the efficacy of flaxseeds as a dietary fiber.

• Pau d'arco is an herb found in the Amazon rainforest. It has been used traditionally for all sorts of ailments including stomach inflammation, liver ailments, as a disinfectant and is used in colon cleanse product as a laxative.

Potential side effects or contra indications: Pau d'arco contains hydroquinone Hydroquinone is known to be toxic in high doses. Low doses of hydroquinone are also known to lead to dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and interfere with blood clotting. Pau d'arco may interact with aspirin and anticoagulants (blood thinners).

• Black Walnut hulls are used as a mild laxative in herbal colon cleansers, are believed to help ease minor digestive ailments.

Potential side effects or contra indications: Black walnuts are known to be hepatotoxic. It may lead to liver inflammation and damage with prolonged use. Juglone and plumbagin are two quinines found in black walnut, and these are regarded as toxins.

• Slippery Elm Bark contains mucilage and is used in herbal colon cleansers to help soothe the digestive tract.

Potential side effects or contra indications: No known side effects

• Probiotics. Studies show that these friendly bacteria help to restore a healthy intestinal flora, necessary for proper digestion of nutrients and elimination of fats from the body. Many herbal colon cleansers include this ingredient to support colonic and digestive health.

Potential side effects or contra indications: No known side effects

• Wormwood (Artemesia) is an aromatic plant which is extremely bitter. It is traditionally used as a digestive aid and to clear the digestive tract of worm infestations. It is considered safe in herbal colon cleansers only when used within prescribed doses and taken as directed. Users, however, may experience strange or vivid dreams due to thujone, a chemical compound found in wormwood.

Potential side effects or contra indications: With long term use (over 4 weeks) wormwood may be hepatotoxic and cause liver inflammation and nerve damage. Its essential oil is toxic and for this reason, Wormwood is classified as an unsafe herb by the Food and Drugs Administration. People with stomach or intestinal ulcers should avoid wormwood.

There are many more ingredients in herbal colon cleansers. Before using any colon cleanse product, check out the efficacy and safety of ingredients on reliable Internet sites. Choose a product based on maximum scientific support, efficacy and generally considered safe to use. You may want to consider only doctor-formulated colon cleanse products, like BeneCleanse.