Prior to my 4th Andrea Moritz liver cleanse, I decided that it would be a good idea to clean out the intestines so that it would be easier to pass stones later on. After much contemplation on whether to do an enema or use Epsom salts, I settled on an ancient remedy that calls for the use of Castor Oil.
Castor oil works like very similar to fiber in food. It is typically taken with hot water early in the morning. This induces the gall bladder to pour the bile into the stomach. Early morning bile flow is heavier than at any other time. Also, the stomach and intestines are relatively empty and can be easily cleaned. After drinking the oil, sipping hot water is recommended as it induces mucus secretion which forces the bile and castor oil mixture to move down to the intestine. Since a cleaning detergent is oil bonded to salt, the bile and oil basically form a detergent (soap). The presence of hot water, replicates the "hot wash" of a dishwasher cycle. This entire process helps to cleanse the stomach and intestines and get rid of toxins that come through the bile.
There are multiple benefits from using Castor oil.
1. It helps to change the micro flora in the body. Drinking probiotics following the cleanse brings good lactobacillus bacteria into the intestines
2. It cleanses the intestine and liver
3. It eliminates parasites and keeps you healthy
4. It helps to reduce weight or tummy size by eliminating harmful flora in the intestines that cause bloating
Please note: Do this before pregnancy and NOT after pregnancy as this may cause abortion.
Method
For adults and children above 12, pour 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil in a cup and add equal amount of freshly squeezed orange juice (or any citrus fruit juice) to it. You can avoid the juice if you like, since it is recommended for flavor. I personally, drink down the oil without anything and wash it down with hot water.
For children, please use body weight conversion chart below.
Directions:
1. Drink on an empty stomach around 6-7a.m.
2. After 15 - 30 minutes, start drinking hot water (like you would sip tea).
3. Drink approximately 3-4 cups at intervals of 10 - 15 minutes.
4. At this point, you will have BM (bowel movement).
5. When you have had 2-3 flushes, stop drinking warm water.
6. The BM can be stopped by drinking a glass of buttermilk or fat free yogurt. Try to use home made yogurt and buttermilk, because you are now going to introduce new bacteria (lacto-bacillus) which will change the whole functioning of the body. Using probiotics to introduce healthy Flora is fine too.
Note: Personally, I let the BM stop on its own. For me this happens around 8-9 flushes. After that, I take some probiotics and buttermilk to re-introduce the Flora.
Following the flush:
For the rest of the day try to eat very light food and avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods. Fruit juices are fine or steamed vegetables are good. If you feel extremely hungry, eat some plain rice with beans. Make sure you do not have any fat including nuts. In India, we typically have khichdi, which is Mung dal and rice cooked together with very few spices. The recipe is given at the end of the post.
Other points to note are:
How to avoid nauseating feeling?
Sipping hot water or ginger candy helps to prevent vomiting. Try to sit up once you drink it, to allow the castor oil to move downwards. Try not to vomit the oil. Typically the nausea subsides once you start having BM.
How often?
Do this once in two weeks for three months and then once a month or once in two months. This can be easily done on the weekend
Who is this cleanse for?
Anyone who is relatively healthy can do the cleanse. It is safe for children above the age of four, but use less castor oil (one teaspoonful to one tablespoonful depending on age). Care should be taken not to dehydrate them. So stop after they have had one or two bowel flushing.
Avoid
Children below the age of four and pregnant women. However, flushing prior to pregnancy is excellent. This keeps the body healthy for the baby. Do not do this cleanse when you are suffering from fever or have diarrhea or dysentery. Please note: people with liver problems or poor liver functions should do cleanse only after few weeks of toning the liver.
Khichari
Ingredients:
Rice : 1 cup
Green split mung dal : 1/2 cup
Water : 4 cups (use 3 if more solid consistency desired)
Salt : 1 teaspoon
Just the above ingredients are enough. But optional additions are given below.
Black corn pepper : 2 or 3
Ginger grated : 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin seeds : 1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves chopped : 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander leaves chopped : a few
Raisins : 3 teaspoon
Flavor mix : 1/4 teaspoon
Preparation:
Add all ingredients and put in a pressure cooker and cover it. Cook on Medium High heat, until well cooked. Serve for lunch or dinner with or without yogurt or steamed vegetables.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Further Reading:
Castor Oil Flush: http://curezone.com/cleanse/liver/castor_oil_liver_flush.asp
Castor Oil Cleansing: http://www.uni5.co/index.php/en/earth-therapy/castor-oil-cleansing.html
Castor oil works like very similar to fiber in food. It is typically taken with hot water early in the morning. This induces the gall bladder to pour the bile into the stomach. Early morning bile flow is heavier than at any other time. Also, the stomach and intestines are relatively empty and can be easily cleaned. After drinking the oil, sipping hot water is recommended as it induces mucus secretion which forces the bile and castor oil mixture to move down to the intestine. Since a cleaning detergent is oil bonded to salt, the bile and oil basically form a detergent (soap). The presence of hot water, replicates the "hot wash" of a dishwasher cycle. This entire process helps to cleanse the stomach and intestines and get rid of toxins that come through the bile.
There are multiple benefits from using Castor oil.
1. It helps to change the micro flora in the body. Drinking probiotics following the cleanse brings good lactobacillus bacteria into the intestines
2. It cleanses the intestine and liver
3. It eliminates parasites and keeps you healthy
4. It helps to reduce weight or tummy size by eliminating harmful flora in the intestines that cause bloating
Please note: Do this before pregnancy and NOT after pregnancy as this may cause abortion.
Method
For adults and children above 12, pour 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil in a cup and add equal amount of freshly squeezed orange juice (or any citrus fruit juice) to it. You can avoid the juice if you like, since it is recommended for flavor. I personally, drink down the oil without anything and wash it down with hot water.
For children, please use body weight conversion chart below.
Directions:
1. Drink on an empty stomach around 6-7a.m.
2. After 15 - 30 minutes, start drinking hot water (like you would sip tea).
3. Drink approximately 3-4 cups at intervals of 10 - 15 minutes.
4. At this point, you will have BM (bowel movement).
5. When you have had 2-3 flushes, stop drinking warm water.
6. The BM can be stopped by drinking a glass of buttermilk or fat free yogurt. Try to use home made yogurt and buttermilk, because you are now going to introduce new bacteria (lacto-bacillus) which will change the whole functioning of the body. Using probiotics to introduce healthy Flora is fine too.
Note: Personally, I let the BM stop on its own. For me this happens around 8-9 flushes. After that, I take some probiotics and buttermilk to re-introduce the Flora.
Following the flush:
For the rest of the day try to eat very light food and avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods. Fruit juices are fine or steamed vegetables are good. If you feel extremely hungry, eat some plain rice with beans. Make sure you do not have any fat including nuts. In India, we typically have khichdi, which is Mung dal and rice cooked together with very few spices. The recipe is given at the end of the post.
Other points to note are:
How to avoid nauseating feeling?
Sipping hot water or ginger candy helps to prevent vomiting. Try to sit up once you drink it, to allow the castor oil to move downwards. Try not to vomit the oil. Typically the nausea subsides once you start having BM.
How often?
Do this once in two weeks for three months and then once a month or once in two months. This can be easily done on the weekend
Who is this cleanse for?
Anyone who is relatively healthy can do the cleanse. It is safe for children above the age of four, but use less castor oil (one teaspoonful to one tablespoonful depending on age). Care should be taken not to dehydrate them. So stop after they have had one or two bowel flushing.
Avoid
Children below the age of four and pregnant women. However, flushing prior to pregnancy is excellent. This keeps the body healthy for the baby. Do not do this cleanse when you are suffering from fever or have diarrhea or dysentery. Please note: people with liver problems or poor liver functions should do cleanse only after few weeks of toning the liver.
Khichari
Ingredients:
Rice : 1 cup
Green split mung dal : 1/2 cup
Water : 4 cups (use 3 if more solid consistency desired)
Salt : 1 teaspoon
Just the above ingredients are enough. But optional additions are given below.
Black corn pepper : 2 or 3
Ginger grated : 1/4 teaspoon
Cumin seeds : 1/4 teaspoon
Curry leaves chopped : 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander leaves chopped : a few
Raisins : 3 teaspoon
Flavor mix : 1/4 teaspoon
Preparation:
Add all ingredients and put in a pressure cooker and cover it. Cook on Medium High heat, until well cooked. Serve for lunch or dinner with or without yogurt or steamed vegetables.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Further Reading:
Castor Oil Flush: http://curezone.com/cleanse/liver/castor_oil_liver_flush.asp
Castor Oil Cleansing: http://www.uni5.co/index.php/en/earth-therapy/castor-oil-cleansing.html