Colon Health
Our bodies have four elimination channels: Respiratory (lungs/sinus), Urinary system (kidneys/bladder), Skin (perspiration), and our Colon.
Holistic Practitioners relate to the colon as the body’s sewer system. When the colon is backed up or sluggish the waste material is "backed up" into the body. This can be noticed when we have mucus in the lungs or sinus, headaches, pimples, bad breath (toxic fumes arising from the "sewer"), or bladder/kidney infections. The colon is not only a major eliminatory organ, but it also is where we do much of our assimilation of nutrients. Our circulatory system picks up nutrients from the intestines to feed the rest of the body. When this system has old fermented meals in it, the circulatory system picks up these toxins and spreads them around to the rest of the body -- polluting the other organs.
Getting and keeping the colon "clean" by being regular is very important for a cleaner and healthier inner environment. Regularity means a lot of things to a lot of people. During eye readings, some of my clients have told me "I shouldn’t have a dirty colon, I’m regular, I go once a week."! I’m sorry folks but this is not regular. How much and how often you eat can give some indication of what should be regular for you but a good rule of thumb is when meals are consumed, past meals should shortly thereafter be eliminated.
Being regular (one bowel movement for every meal consumed) can be deceiving. We can eliminate some waste but still have fecal matter stuck to the sides of our colons. This mainly happens because we eat processed foods. Our brains recognize these altered foods as poisons and sends a signal to the colon to excrete a protective mucus lining so that we do not absorb this poison. This is a good thing for our protection, however, eating unnatural foods as a regular part of our diets creates a build up of sticky mucus on the colon walls which acts as a paste and collects fecal matter. Assimilation of nutrients is inhibited. This is also how a dirty colon can lead to weight gain. Since we aren’t absorbing the nutrients the body requires the hunger flag is signaled and leads us to overeat.
How do we get that bowel clean and moving? First of all, clean up the diet! Less processed foods, more bulk (raw veggies and grains). Avoid dairy products as they create mucus in the entire body. Secondly, supplementation! Cascara Sagrada is an herb that I call the rotor rooter of herbs. LBSII stands for Lower Bowel Scrub and is great for cleaning and toning the bowel. Over the counter laxatives should be avoided as the bowel can become dependent on them. Reflexology is also an excellent way to get things rolling. Plenty of times I’ve had clients go through detoxing after their treatments for up to two or three days. I was recently visiting friends in Durango and as I was sitting on the couch with their four year old son I gave him a mini-treatment. I found "crunchies" in his colon area and worked on them. The next day his mom complained that while they were out, he had to stop three times to go the bathroom!
With a clean diet, supplementation, and some kind of exercise the bowel should get into shape over time. You may want to consider having a colonic to speed up your cleanse. This is not for everyone and should not be relied on as the only way to cleanse, but it can be good for periodic detoxification. I had my first colonic last month and it was much more comfortable than I had imagined.
After the bowel is cleaned up, it needs to be maintained. During the cleaning process, most people experience gas, bloating and increased bowel movements. This is your body sweeping out the dirty basement so to speak. When this all settles, the clean diet should be maintained and more than likely your dosage of supplementation should decrease. Treat your elimination system well and go to the bathroom when your body tells you to! Drinking warm liquids aids your digestion while cold drinks hinders it. No straining - take your time, if you are straining, watch your diet again and increase your bowel herbs. Chew your foods adequately and drink lots of filtered water throughout the day.
Good luck, and Bombs Away!
NSPBowel herbs: (partial list)
LBSII & LB-X: Lower Bowel scrubs, combo of herbs for cleaning the bowel
Bowel Build: A good all around supplement for intestinal health
UC3J: Stands for Ulcers, Crohns, Colitis and Celiac’s. Mainly used for ulcers. Very soothing to an irritated bowel.
Herbal Pumpkin: Especially for those with parasites.
CLT-X: Short for colitis- inflammation of the bowel also very soothing combo.
Special Formula #1: Cleans down to the cellular level
Psyllium Hulls: For bulk.
Acidophilis: Friendly bacteria in the colon, aids assimilation.
Colon Condition Self Test:
Most Natural Health Practitioners say that colon transit time should be no more than 18 hours. A good way to test yourself is to eat some whole kernel corn and when you see it again, count the hours it took to go through your system.
A FEW NATURALS FINDING THEIR PATH AND EXCELLING....
Congratulations to ALLISON HICKMAN of Conyers, GA for becoming a NSP Manager earlier this year. Keep up the good work. You’re helping many good southern folks to good health. Allison is also studying for her Doctor of Naturopathy which includes Iridology and Reflexology.
Congratulations to TREVA THORNTON of Littleton, CO for becoming a Manager in January. There’s no stopping this one either, Treva is a Reflexologist, is studying for her Master’s in Holistic Health and has joined me in taking a five week course in Jin Shin Juytsu, another ancient healing art. All good things are coming your way Treva.
Until next time, take it easy....and then eliminate it!!
Frankie Avalon
