Psyllium Husk Colon Cleanse

One of the natural ways of cleaning up your digestive tract is using Psyllium husk. Read on to know the benefits, guidelines and contraindications for using psyllium husk...
Psyllium husk is basically fiber as it is essentially made up of complex carbohydrates. It is extracted from the coating around the seed of the Psyllium plant. Hence, it is one of the natural intestine cleansing agents. Given below are the various benefits of going in for psyllium husk colon cleanse, directions on how to do colon cleansing with psyllium husk and the contraindications of this procedure.

Benefits
Psyllium seeds are used for not only colon cleansing but also for various ailments. Psyllium husks are taken and inserted into capsules. Thus, they are then taken as supplements. They can also be taken in powder form. Psyllium has many health benefits, as it can help to cure diarrhea and also helps to ease hemorrhoids and cystitis. Psyllium husks also have anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been said that psyllium husk helps to reduce the cholesterol levels in the body. Thus, it helps to reduce the chances of and risks associated with a heart disease. As it adds to the bulk of stool, it ensures that it keeps the intestinal tract healthy.

When used as a colon cleanser, psyllium husk acts by pushing the mucoid plaque out of the body. This is because the husk swells when it comes on contact with water and thus, absorbs anything that heavier than itself. This makes it an effective laxative, as psyllium forms a gelatin like mass in the colon, which keeps the bowel soft and clean. Psyllium stimulates peristalsis which aids in constipation. It has been claimed that psyllium husk colon cleanse is most effective when taken with bentonite clay.

How to Use
It is absolutely essential to increase your water intake when you are trying out psyllium husk colon cleansing. This is because for the psyllium husk to be effective, it needs a lot of water to absorb and swell up. If you eat psyllium husk alone, then you will have digestion problems. So you can mix psyllium husk with water, juice, milk, etc. You also need to consume a lot of water because psyllium husk will tend to cause a lot of dehydration as it tends to take up all the moisture content of the bowel. Be sure to consume psyllium husk in between meals and never immediately after or before a meal. This is because it tends to interfere with digestion by diluting the enzymes present in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Contraindications
However, it is best to visit a doctor and get a prescription of psyllium husk. This is because while psyllium husk is generally regarded to be safe, a small minority of individuals do not take to it very well as they have low tolerance to fiber. In such cases, there may be slight discomfort in the abdominal region along with bloating and pain. Thus, to one should always start a psyllium husk colon cleanse with very small amounts of psyllium husk. Also, psyllium husk can reduce the effectiveness of lithium and any antibiotics that a person may be taking. Also, try not to use psyllium within two hours of any medicine. Take psyllium husk at least half an hour before eating. Psyllium husk is not recommended for pregnant women.

It is important to visit a doctor to check for the pros and cons of going in for intestinal cleansing using psyllium husk. However, this is one of the best ways of ensuring that your digestive tract remains clean and healthy.
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Published: 4/16/2010
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