One of the best ways to do colon cleanse, is to do a two-step program, which involves two different methods to clean the colon. The first step is to clean out the intestines and colon internally, and by so doing, stimulate the peristaltic action of the internal muscles, which make up the colon and intestine. (The word peristaltic comes from the Latin word peristalsis, which means to wrap around and compress)

Peristalsis is a contracting and relaxing of these muscles in the digestive tract, and this moves food through the digestive system. It also moves urine from the kidneys into the bladder. Peristalsis is a normal function of the body, but it can become less regular and can lead to you feeling sluggish, and even dramatically reduce the easy passage of food through the digestive system).

What is this first step of a colon cleanse then?

You do this by taking certain herbs which have been shown to have a cleansing effect upon the intestines and colon. These herbs included in the first step of the program are contained in easy to take capsules. What happens in step 1 in practical terms, is that you increase the number of capsules that you take each day, one capsule at a time.

In essence, you start off with one capsule. Then the second day, you take two capsules. The third day, you take three capsules. You continue in this fashion, increasing by one capsule each day until you notice a significant change in your bowel movements or in the actual stool itself. In other words, you may say "Wow, oh my God. That was different to what I normally do!". That may sound a little crude, but the no other way to describe it than that.

You may notice a difference after just one capsule. This is quite ordinary, and can vary from person to person. The average number of capsules, where most people seem to notice a difference, is at a level of three or four capsules. You may notice a difference after just one capsule, or you may need to take five, six or seven etc.

Once you have found your level, what you do then is stay at that level for approximately 7 days. For example, let's assume that you take one capsule on day one, two capsules on day two, and three capsules on day three. Then, after taking three capsules you noticed a significant change in your bowel movements.

It could be that it was easier, or larger than normal, or that it looks different etc. Then you would stay at that level for the next seven days. After this 7 days you would start the next step in the program, which is called colon cleanse number two. (In total so far this would be day 10 in this example).

Colon cleanse, step two The herbs and other ingredients in the colon cleanse number two formula include things which help draw out any build-up of hardened faecal matter, toxins and decaying or decomposed matter, that hasn't been passed through the bowels.

Some of the ingredients in the formula include activated charcoal, which is proven to absorb poisons and other similar harmful substances in the body. As this formula passes through the intestines and colon, it forms a slightly jelly like substance which adds bulk to the stool and helps to keep the stool soft and easy to pass.

In this second stage, the herbs can be taken in capsule form or in powdered form which you mix into a drink. If you choose to take the powdered form for stage two, you can add apple juice or carrot juice or any other kind of juice, so that it has the flavour that you prefer.

Important information about cleansing

It is absolutely vital that you drink enough water, when doing a colon cleanse or any kind of colon or intestinal cleansing program. By keeping your water level sufficient, you ensure that you do not get dehydrated and constipated. If you do not drink enough water, especially when taking certain herbs and doing a cleanse or any kind of detox program, you may get bunged up, and sometimes feel constipated.

In fact, one of the biggest causes of constipation in the US and in Europe, is that people don't usually drink enough water. If your stools are ever dry and hard to pass, it is often a sign of constipation.

Bad diet also plays a part, and if you eat certain foods, they are more likely to cause a constipating effect. There are more articles on the website, advising you about some of the best foods to eat, and some types of foods to avoid, especially when doing a cleanse.

How much water do you need to take when cleansing?

You don't need to go overboard, you simply have to take approximately five to eight glasses of water a day, and this should be sufficient. In other words, something in the region of one to two litres per day. The water does not have to be anything special. It doesn't have to be distilled or oxygenated or anything like that. It may be best to filter the water, especially if there are high levels of chlorine in your drinking water. But perhaps the single best advice is to not drink fizzy water or coke etc.

Important point to remember

It is also an important point to remember that when you are doing this second stage of the colon cleanse, you must also continue on with the first stage of the colon cleanse. In other words, the colon cleanse stage one is continued from the start to the very end of the program. It is only after approximately 7 to 10 days of doing the first stage, that you move on to the second stage.

BUT bear in mind that you continue taking the supplements from the first stage when you reach the second stage. To be absolutely clear about this, you basically continue taking the colon cleanse formula number one, from the beginning, all the way through the program, to the very end. It is only in the last seven days or so of the program that you also take the colon cleanse formula number two.