My Experience With The Master Cleanse

I’ve journey through a few cleanses in my life. I’ve done some cleanses that simply required taking a few pills a day while still eating my normal diet, and I’ve done a cleanse that had me on the couch for 4 or 5 days from being so weak (which is only because I’m hypoglycemic).  After reading a book my mother picked up at a garage sale, I decided to try the Master Cleanse, also know as the “Lemonade Diet”.  This cleanse has been my favorite, and I’ll give the reasons why in a moment.

You may be asking, “Why cleanse”?
It is estimated that over 90% of diseases can be connected to an unhealthy digestive system.  Toxins from a polluted bowel constantly seeps into the blood stream and lymph systems.  These seeping toxins settle into the weakest area of the body and cause bad symptoms and health problems.  These health problems can include joint pain, weight gain and/or the inability to lose weight, digestive problems, acne, bad breath, kidney stones, cancer, diseases, etc., etc., etc.  Unfortunately, most of us go to the doctor for these health problems, only to put a band-aid on the symptoms instead of really taking care of the root problem.  Am I saying that the Master Cleanse is the answer to everyone’s health problems and you’ll be perfectly healthy after one cleanse?  No – but it is a beginning start to being healthier and healing your body from the inside.  Depending on your past health and eating habits, one or two Master Cleanses a year may be sufficient to cleansing toxins, but for those of us that may suffer from bad health choices in the past (like taking anti-biotics for acne), it could take several cleanses for our bodies to really repair themselves – and it’s worth it!
How long is the recommendation for the cleanse?
10 days….

10 DAYS???……

Yes, 10 days. 🙂
That’s not really that big of a deal if you think about it.  If you did this cleanse once a year, you have 355 days to eat yummy foods.  And if you really wanted to get down to business and did this cleanse once every other month for a year, that’s only 60 days of cleansing and 305 days of eating.  Think of it that way. 🙂 

The Master Cleanse only involves 5 ingredients:
*Maple Syrup – has to be Grade B.  Maple syrup provides your body with fuel during the cleanse.  It contains a number of minerals and vitamins.  I repeat – it has to be pure Grade B maple syrup.  You need about 2 quarts (64 oz.) of this syrup.  It may be impossible to find Grade B at your local store, so online or at a health food store may be necessary.
*Lemons – while lemons are an acidic food, they are amazingly alkalizing to the body when digested.  Lemon also has a natural cleansing agent, breaking up and loosening mucus and toxins to be eliminated.  Lemons are also nutritious to give your body what it needs as you’re cleansing.
*Cayenne Pepper – cayenne purifies the blood, helps digestive disorders and also breaks up and loosens mucus and toxins in the body, thus aiding in the cleansing process.
*Good Clean Water – If you don’t know that you have good well water, it’s important to buy water.  You cannot use water that has fluoride or chlorine in it.
*Herbal Laxative – has to be taken every morning and night

Benefits of the cleanse can include:
*Weight loss
*Freedom from addictions (whether legal or illegal drugs, or junk foods)
*Increased strength
*Swelling and pain reduced
*Hair loss stops
*Skin problems improve and clear up
*Allergies reduced
*Better sleep
*More energy
*Clearer mind
*Body can heal itself of health problems

Why did I like the Master Cleanse better than past cleanses?
*It’s more cost-effective.  While the pure Grade B maple syrup might seem a little steep, the total cost of ingredients was less than other cleanses I’ve done – plus you have to take in account that you’re not eating food, so this will cut down on the grocery bill.
*This is safe for those with blood-sugar problems.  I had a really hard time the first 3 days (which is normal for anyone), but after day 3 I felt great for the rest of my cleanse!  Even during the first hard 3 days, I could function fine and think clearly, unlike other cleanses that had me on the couch for days from being so weak.  The combination of ingredients gave my body and blood sugar what it needed to function fine.
*It’s an effective cleanse.  I can feel a difference in my sleep and how I feel over-all after just one cleanse.

 Important Things I Learned About This Cleanse:
*If you feel like you’re going to die – you won’t. 🙂  Like I said, I felt pretty badly during my first 3 days of the cleanse.  When I say I felt bad, I simply mean that the problem areas of my body were hurting as my body cleansed and started repairing itself.  I believe I experienced a “healing crisis” on day 3 (which is normal, though many people do not experience one – it just depends on each individual’s health issues).  I kind of felt like I was going to die on day 3 (though not really :))  – I didn’t think I could make it through the day – but I was determined to stick it out, I made it through, and I’m glad I did! 🙂
*You have to drink the mixture fresh – within the first 10 minutes that you’ve sliced your lemon.  Lemons lose some properties 10 minutes after you cut them.  You cannot mix the drink to bring with you – you have to bring the individual ingredients wherever you go to mix up while you’re out.  I brought it all with me each church service, and  wherever else I had to go.
*You have to drink the concoction every hour or two.  Because of my hypoglycemia, I had to drink the mixture every hour the first 3 days and then could go every 2 hours the rest of the cleanse.  Do not go too long without drinking it, like waiting 3 or 4 hours, or letting yourself get too hungry – it will make you feel horrible and your body can’t cleanse as efficiently.
*Don’t mix the cayenne in with the concentrate of lemon juice and syrup – this will cause the cayenne to steep and be hotter.  I poured half the water into the concentrate, then the cayenne, and then the rest of the water.
*You have to take an herbal laxative every morning and evening.  While drinking herbal laxative tea is fine, I found that after drinking nothing but liquid all day, plus having to drink an herbal laxative tea twice a day was *blahhh*.  I will for sure by it in pill form next time.
*This cleanse is not for wimps.  During the hardest days of my cleanse, I would take out the Master Cleanse book and remind myself again that what I was experiencing was fine and normal and that I would be okay. 🙂  Many people want a magic pill to take that will cause them to lose weight and all their health aches and problems to evaporate, but that will not happen.  Those that look for this “magic pill” will never get the health results they desire.  It takes time.  Our health problems didn’t happen quickly from a magic pill, and they won’t be fixed quickly with a magic pill.  We have to be a patient determined people to get to the root of our health problems and decide we’re tired of living with bad health.  It is mind over matter.  During the first 3 days of my cleanse, I had times I wanted to call it quits – I was hungry and uncomfortable and just wanted to eat normal foods, but I had to remember the results I wanted, and continued at all costs. 🙂  Now I will say that not everyone feels as bad as I did, while others I’m sure have felt worse.  Whatever your individual situation,  if you really want to begin a journey of a healthier life, you can do this!  This cleanse is not for everyone, but most people can greatly benefit from it.
*Make sure your schedule isn’t busier than normal.  I realized after I’d started my cleanse that I had two appts. and extra things on the calendar.  This is not a good idea.  Try to make sure your calendar is as clear as can be during your cleanse.

You can buy your own copy of the Master Cleanse for complete instructions on how to have a successful cleanse.  It’s a must to read the whole section on cleansing.  NOTE: ***I do not endorse everything that is said, nor some of the author’s choice of words***  The method and reason for cleansing is great, however. 

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.