People's Pharmacy

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Colon Cleansing Can Be Overdone

Posting Date: 10/24/2005

Q. I have a friend who is convinced that constipation causes cancer. She is fanatic about cleansing her colon regularly.

Not only does she use an enema a couple of times a week, but she also drinks laxative tea containing senna all the time. She is constantly running to the bathroom.

This just doesn?t seem natural to me, but she insists that it rids her body of toxins. Are there any dangers to colon cleansing?

A. Regular use of laxatives and enemas is not advisable because the colon may lose its ability to empty normally. Even though it is natural, senna is harsh and can irritate the lower digestive tract. Diarrhea can lead to mineral imbalance.

Constipation can be caused by many things, including medications, thyroid problems or diabetes. The best way to prevent problems is to treat the cause.

We are sending you our Guide to Constipation with tips for natural solutions that do not involve laxatives or enemas plus a discussion of colon cleansing. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No.GG-30, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I would like to start taking guggul to lower cholesterol, but I saw on your Web site that it might lower the effectiveness of certain prescription medications. I take Diovan for high blood pressure. Would guggul pose a risk?

A. Guggul is extracted from the resin of a myrrh tree. It has been used in the Ayurvedic medicine of India for over 2000 years to treat inflammation, atherosclerosis and obesity.

Animal research and some human studies suggested that this herb might lower cholesterol. A well-controlled trial published in JAMA (Aug 13, 2003) contradicted those results. Guggul did not lower total cholesterol and actually raised bad LDL cholesterol compared to placebo. Some patients also developed a rash from this compound.