Topic: Are colon cleansers with senna really worth it?
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
So I used to take this product called colon cleanse. It has burdock, psyllium, and SENNA.
I know senna is used in exlax and is an irritant to the intestines so that it produces a bowel movement.
But is this stuff worth it for detox?
The biaxin makes me constipated anyway and sometimes I do take it to move things through with pro-biotics and Mg of course.
But does this do anything really to detoxify?
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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In a formula such as what you have (and it's always best in a formula), it may be okay, however senna is not intended for continued use.
Psyllium might be enough alone. There are other good choices, too. Rhubarb (again, in formula) is very effective. You do not have to have a harsh treatment. Gentle is best. Wonderful detail in the chapter below:
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From: The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Tillotoson, et.al.)
posted
Another thing about senna: if you use it on a continued basis, it darkens the inside of your colon, possibly making it more difficult to diagnose any growths that might be brewing in there when it's colonoscopy time.
Posts: 532 | From southeast US | Registered: Oct 2005
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quote:Originally posted by viva: Another thing about senna: if you use it on a continued basis, it darkens the inside of your colon, possibly making it more difficult to diagnose any growths that might be brewing in there when it's colonoscopy time. [/QB]
That happened to me because I had been using a colon cleanse for several months.
Had no clue I was staining my colon! And yes, it also irritates the colon.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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TuTu,
Thanks for that note about senna. I thought I'd read that, too.
--
Many doctors say it's important to not be on colon cleanses as a rule.
Food and water should be enough bulk to move stuff through naturally and, if used for more than occasional constipation, products such as these can change the way the colon is able to work.
Magnesium also works wonders without affecting the strength of the colon itself as laxatives can do. Plan psyllium might also be enough on its own to add bulk if needed. But FOOD is our best resource.
As for "detox" - liver support is the key. The better the liver can work, the better the colon will work, too.
posted
Senna I only use when other things aren't helping. If it wasn't harsh on the colon then I would take it more often.
Can anyone give me some specific examples of these rhubarb-based formulas the site mentions? Like a brand and product name.
Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Doesnt magnessium just pull water into the bowel?
I want to rid myself of impurities and I cant really exercise, I am simply in too much pain afterwards.
I used to be able to excersise but now I just have to take more advil when I do.
Im 30 years old and this is a vicious cycle that has been going on for the past 7 or 8 years?
My body seems to be in a loop.
I have to eat the same, stay away from the same chemicals, take the same abx.
Thanks for listening.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Forcing a stressed organ into a cleanse is senseless to me. Good support for the liver and colon are avialable from some supplement companies.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Ditto to what massman says. It's always best to support the function of your organs, not push them.
lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
hmm, milk thistle makes me very sick, so does NAC.
LLMD wants to do the Genova liver test where you swallow caffeine, acetominophen and asprin to see where your weakness is.
Right now I take molybdenum, b12, folic acid, B5 and selenium along with welchol!
Thats what I do for my liver.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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massman
Unregistered
posted
You may want to access www.systemicforulas.com to see the specific supps they have for each (all 3) lobes of the liver. The three formulas let your health pro be much more specific.
There is a grrrreat book called "New Dimensions in Herbal Healing" by Dr. Jack Tips that explains the Systemics well - why and how they are different and therefore very effective. That can be had as www.drjacktips.com or maybe at www.amazon.com - do a title search there.
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
thanks. I memorized all the 3 sections of phase I and the 6 pathways of phase II. Didnt help me much Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I would pass on using Senna. It did, as TuTu states, darken my colon, also.
I didn't even know that was happening until I got a colonoscopy, and even though my colon was noncancerous, I was diagnosed with melanosis coli (black colon).
If I were you, I would not use Senna or Cascara. Those two are the worse for melanosis coli.
lifeline
Posts: 983 | From FL | Registered: Dec 2002
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"I want to rid myself of impurities and I cant really exercise, I am simply in too much pain afterwards."
in that case you may be interested in checking out a product called oxy powder.
even some ayurvedic practitioners (who do not believe in harsh herbs for extended periods), and in a case with chronic illness, will reccommend either colonics or this.
i have used the cleanse myself. it is a special formulation of magnesium base that does no cause cramps, or require fasting or change of meds.. and dissolves mucoid plaque over the course of the week to ten day cleanse.
it is my personal opinion that it is a better choice than colonics, because it cleanses from the top down, rather than the bottom up. (fully dealing with the small intestine, not just the colon) i choose also to do my parasite cleanse following an oxypowder cleanse, then i do another. but, that is me. there's allot of info out there on all of this, and i find it often gets too complicated.
in any event, you could easily follow an oxy cleanse with safer, gentler herbs than senna, and reasonable dietary support. (like more fiber, psyllium, oils, ect.) -- and feel like you had an effective initial cleanse to kick it off. (which i believe most of those ill and on medication must focus on throughout recovery)
mo
-------------------- life shrinks and expands in proportion to one's courage -- anais nin Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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