Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse

Throughout the years, one of the most popular colon cleansing methods was to use Epsom Salt administered either in an oral solution mixed with warm water or in a rectal enema. The most common purpose was, however, to relieve constipation rather than to affect any real internal cleansing. There were homeopaths along the way who prescribed an Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse as a manner of removing built up waste from the intestines, but it was never a favored cleansing solution. Somewhere in the mid part of the last century it was discovered that Epsom Salt could have serious, if not lethal, consequences so it quickly lost popularity in favor of more traditional natural or herbal remedies.

Dangers of Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse

Epsom Salt is actually a brand name for magnesium sulfate. The problem with an Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse is that there is a very real danger of hypermagnesmia, which is an electrolyte imbalance in the bloodstream presenting in extremely elevated levels of magnesium. This, in extreme cases, has proven to be fatal so doctors prescribe the use of internal Epsom Salt sparingly, if at all. An Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse can also have adverse reactions if an individual is taking tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, sparfloxacin, penicclamine, digoixin, or nitrofurantoin.

Oral Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse

To utilize an oral solution of Epsom Salt it is simply necessary to use a maximum of 1 or 2 teaspoons in a half glass of warm water for adults and only ½ teaspoon for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Epsom Salt is never recommended for children under the age of six. This solution can be repeated every four hours if needed, however, it should never be taken more than twice a day due to toxicity. It generally takes anywhere from one to six hours to be effective in promoting a bowel movement.

Rectal (Enema) Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse

For use in an enema, and Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse can be an effective method of quickly relieving constipation but really doesn’t do much cleansing. The reason for this is that, like any other enema solution, the water only reaches the lower portion of the large intestine. A traditional colon cleanse flushes everything through the entire digestive tract. The solution should be mixed in a ratio of 2 Tbsp per quart of warm water, but here again, it is important to understand that magnesium sulfate toxicity is nothing to play with. In this solution, one 2 quart enema per day should be the maximum. The warm salt water will soften the stools and draw water into the colon which should relieve constipation within an hour.

Many people choose an Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse because it is quite inexpensive, however, cost should never be a factor when safety is at stake. Of course it is not healthy to remain constipated or to live with a toxic colon but there are safer and more effective methods of cleansing. Epsom Salt is great for soaking tired feet or relieving swelling in joints and muscles, but an Epsom Salt Colon Cleanse is not a preferred naturopathic treatment due to the potential for toxicity and its inability to affect a thorough cleansing.