The Master Cleanse

The master cleanse is quite unique in that the recipe is simple, but the results, as expressed by so many people who swear by it are incredible, and mind-boggling. Some have said the master cleanse is the best kept health secret as it's mostly a "cult" regimen, but those who have tried it have had a ton of success cleansing and losing weight permanently.

The master cleanse is similar to a juice fast. It consists of drinking a lemonade juice that you make from the following ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of Grade B maple syrup (easily found in market)
- 1/10 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
- 12 ounces of warm purified water

So the regimen basically consists of taking this lemonade drink throughout the day, without eating ANYTHING. Just drinking it. The master cleanse is simply a fast - nothing else. How often do you drink the lemonade? It depends on how much you can stomach, but you shouldn't drink more than 60 ounces total in 1 day. Some people drink 3-4 glasses of 16 oz each, while others drink much more often.

You are also required to drink a laxative tea once a day, at night. A senna tea will do. Most people use "Smooth Move" for their laxative tea, but you can pick your own - just do some research online before choosing one though.

When you wake up, do an salt water flush. A salt water flush basically involves drinking at least a quart of salt water. To make this, simply add 2 tablespoons of uniodized sea salt to one quart of warm water. Shake this solution, and gulp down the entire drink as fast as you can without stopping. After drinking it, massage your colon - this helps loosen the fecal matter. It's crucial you use uniodized sea salt - avoid table salt at all costs. Why do you need to do this salt water flush? Well, it helps flushes out any toxins that are stuck in your colon - the salt quickly moves through your system and within a hr of drinking it, you will probably have butt pee (diarrhea).

I recommend you drink the lemonade drink every 1-2 hours. As I said, you can't eat anything during the cleanse, so please don't be tempted to reach for that cake! You can, and should drink water during the day. It's not dangerous to go overboard on the lemonade drink, but make sure you drink at least 12 eight-oz glasses of lemonade in 1 day.

Don't worry about being malnourished, and losing energy. During the cleanse, if anything I felt a lot more energy, surprisingly. The lemonade drink will have enough nutrients for your body, and contains enough vitamins to thrive. You may drink the lemonade while also using some other colon cleansing supplements (ie. Psyllium Husk/Bentonite Clay). You can begin fasting anytime during the day, but make sure you don't break it when you start it!

There are some special guidelines you have to follow if you're a diabetic. So if you are one, be sure to read Mr. Burroughs (the inventor of the master cleanse) book about master cleansing to see what special things you have to do.
How long should you fast?
Master cleansing should take at least 10 days, but you can do it safely for 40+ days. Be sure to contact a physician if you plan to do it more than 1 month though. Everyone is different.

Breaking off the fast is an area where a lot of people go wrong. Do not break off the fast all of a sudden - do it GRADUALLY. Here's how: in the first day, simply drink a different kind of juice. In the second day, you can start eating veggie broths (not canned ones). Use veggies such as beets, turnips, kales, celeries, okra, etc. You may eat a few veggies, but not a lot.

On the 3rd day, you can have orange juice, soups with more veggies. You still may not eat any meat, milk, or coffee. Just a few veggies, and soups.

On the 4th day, you may add seeds and nuts for lunch, and salad/fruit for dinner.

On the 5th day, you may add a little meat, but still continue eating healthier.

If you feel bowel discomfort, or bloating a few days after the cleanse, go back to the lemonade diet for a few more days to see if that makes it better.