Many people are raving about the Master Cleanse diet, or as some call it the Lemon Cleanse and Maple Syrup diet. Well, it’s not really a diet but rather, as per its name, a cleansing or detoxifying of your body. I can see why they rave and undertake this great health adventure time and time again. It’s because you feel great both physically and mentally. And that, despite not eating any food whatsoever!
Personally, I’ve done the Cleanse twice now. The first time for 24 hours, the second for four days. Four whole days without food! This wasn’t something I ever thought I could manage. I’m one of those people (there’s an Ayurvedic term for it but I forget which one) who, when they’re hungry they need to eat now! It’s just the way my system seems to work, and I have a pretty fast metabolism. I guess I’m lucky that I don’t put on too much weight which generally doesn’t fluctuate too much. So I wasn’t doing the cleanse to lose weight, but one of the benefits is indeed that you do shed excess substances that your body is using up energy to hold, eg excess chemicals, sugar and mucus which does lead to a certain loss of weight depending on the person.
I first heard about the Master Cleanse in a newspaper article a few years ago. I was sold on it. I knew I just had to give it a go because of the positive reviews of people who were almost hooked on it – but in a positive way. So my plan was to do it for 3 days. I only lasted one day! I got so hungry that when my mother called offering to make me a favourite meal I capitulated. But it’s all good. The first time you do the diet it’s best not to be too ambitious. 24 hours is a good achievement. If you can go longer give yourself a pat on the back – you did darned well. 10 days is what is recommended as a guideline for a complete detox.
So what does the fast entail? Well as mentioned, you don’t eat any food, but rather you drink a home-made lemonade made up of fresh lemon juice (organic if possible), cayenne pepper (organic again if possible, and yes it’s hot!) and a good grade maple syrup. The maple syrup provides the calories and sugar. You have a laxative tea each evening, and you also do a salt-water flush each morning. This is an essential part of the Cleanse. It’s basically clearing out your colon without enduring the discomfort of Colon Irrigation via the back-end! You do have to be close to a toilet each morning since when you need to go, you need to go! But despite this challenge, I can say that it feels just great. Did you know that you’re carrying food remains in your colon that may have been there for many months and even years, sometimes many long years? When I first learnt this, I definitely didn’t like the sound of that and did not need much convincing about doing the salt water flush. (Which btw some people do without the Master Cleanse as a general colon detox).
How does the flush work? Well, without being too graphic, you drink a huge load of warm, salt water, wait, and soon you’re on the toilet expelling the water along with what’s in your colon. You do this for about 40-50 minutes and each morning of the fast. If you’re wondering, yep, you’re peeing from your bottom!
The second time I did the Cleanse it lasted longer. I found that the initial hunger pangs left and it became much more bearable. Each time you’re hungry you just drink some more lemonade. After four days I decided to end the fast and I have to say I enjoyed my first meal very much indeed! It felt great to have lasted that long. Next time? Well, I’d like to think I can go for a 7-day stretch.
If you’re considering undertaking this wonderful detox fast then you do need to read up about how it needs to be done, get the right type of supplies in, and mentally and emotionally prepare. I know that many people undertake it for what seems an impossible length of time – eg 20, 30 or even 40 days (this is the maximum you should do it). And yes, you can continue with day to day activities, work etc without any major issues. Except of course you need to be near a toilet every morning, so it needs to be scheduled into your diary during a time when this is possible, when you don’t have any meals out planned (you don’t want to be staring at food whilst others eat) and when you have some space for yourself.
The health benefits are enormous. It basically clears out junk from your system that would otherwise do your body no good, improves energy levels, removes food cravings and has been reported to help people with a variety of conditions including chronic pain, insomnia, mood swings, unbalanced hormone levels, acne and blemishes, reduced hair loss and more. It also restores your body’s natural ph balance. The Master Cleanse was ‘created’ by Stanley Burroughs back in 1941, so it’s no new fad.
After my last attempt I made a decision to do it once a year. It’s now been nearly a year since the 4-day stint, so my next cleanse beckons. I think post-Christmas would be a good time, after all that turkey (well veggie version for me) and Xmas pudding.
As always with these things, if you have any medical conditions such as diabetes please consult your doctor before undertaking this fast.
To find out more about the Master Cleanse, please visit my website here where you can get hold of an eBook that will tell you all you need to do, to give your body that wonderful clear out. It’s like pressing the reset button on your body. Give it a go, and let me know what your experience was, I’d love to hear!
Remember, if you don’t achieve your goal, don’t give yourself a hard time. It’s not an easy feat by any means, and you can always try again. To your health and wellbeing!

For more info. go to www.captaincolon.com or http Steps to Colon Hydrotherapy. 1. Exercises the Colon Muscles: The build up of toxic debris weakens the colon and impairs its functioning over time. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon improves muscular contraction activity by which the colon naturally moves material outward. 2. Cleanse the Colon: Toxic material is broken down so it can no longer harm your body or inhibit assimilation and elimination. Even debris built up over years is gently, but surely removed in the process of a series of colon hydrotherapy treatments. Once impacted material is removed, your colon can once again begin to cooperate as mother nature so intended. 3. Stimulates Reflex Points: Every system and organ of the body is connected to the colon by reflex points. Colon hydrotherapy stimulates these points, thereby affecting the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way. 4. Reshapes the Colon: When problematic conditions exist in the colon, they tend to alter its shape which over time causes more problems. The gentle action of the colon hydrotherapy session in combination with the massage techniques by the colon therapist will help to eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions finally enabling the colon to resume its natural state. City of Lithgow, Australia Solomon Islands, Honiara Cape Coral, Florida Washington, District of Columbia Shepparton, Victoria New Zealand Montenegro, Podgorcia Iraq, Baghdad Palau, Koror The Hague, Netherlands www.captaincolon.com