The Dangers of Herbal Colon Cleansing Ingredients

updated 09/22/2008

Which Herbal Colon Cleansing Ingredients should I avoid?

With the surge of interest in natural health, herbal colon cleansers and detoxifiers, big business is cashing in. They've developed infomercials to advance their products. People have been sold on the idea and are using them because they're all natural.

The National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, and similar organizations are reporting dangerous results from taking some of these ingredients. The fact that they're found in nature does not make them effective at ridding the colon of toxins. In fact, virtually all of them are reported to fall short of their goal. Most often, these are formulated with lesser quality ingredients which are cheap and potentially dangerous.

The following three ingredients commonly present in herbal colon cleansers, may pose a serious health threat - Psyllium, Cascara Sagrada, & Senna.

Psyllium

Psyllium is the fleawort plant seed and is a very popular bulk-forming laxative that contains high quantities of fiber and mucilage (a thick, gooey substance that many plants produce). The husk of this fiber swells when water is introduced to it. Because of the bulk, it behaves like a hard sponge and stimulates contractions in the bowel, often causing the bowel to empty.

• Skin irritations or hives
• Anaphylaxis - An acute multi-system allergic reaction that can lead to death in severe cases. Constriction of airways (resulting in choking) is a common symptom.

Senna

Senna is toxic to animal muscle tissue and yet this herbal stimulant laxative is an ingredient commonly found in herbal teas, vitamins, weight-loss supplements and laxatives. Its serious toxicity is known to the product developers and yet they continue, knowing the threats of diseases and death are possible with use over time.

Cascara sagrada, the third one that we're looking at, is an herbal stimulant laxative which is also quite dangerous. It's known to intensify symptoms of constipation and diarrhea (what it's supposed to relieve), and cause serious digestive problems.

This is another one that you definitely want to avoid in any form it may appear. Remember when you are researching the product right for you:

• Dangerous ingredients are often substituted with derivatives that you may not readily recognize — be sure to investigate the ingredients completely
• Look for products that will stimulate your body's ability to cleanse and heal itself

Laxatives are dangerous and often the damage they do to the body far outstrips any short-term benefit you may see. And there are many other potentially dangerous herbal combinations in many herbal colon cleansing formulas. The infomercials are going to tell you their best part of truth. Be sure you investigate everything before you take it. It can be a fatal decision to take any of these.

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