The concept of cleansing the colon has been there for sometime now. In fact if we go back in time, the very first mention of colon cleansing can be traced as far back as the Egyptian civilization. In fact the Egyptians believed that the root of all physical ailments can be traced back to the colon. So, most of the treatment that they practiced was targeted in getting the colon work properly.

Practitioners of conventional medicine strongly disagree with such a theory. However, what modern practitioners of alternative medicine tend to put across is that even if not all physical ailments can be traced to an unclean colon, a significant number of diseases are caused because of an unclean colon. There are also a number of people who report a remarkable improvement in their health after a colon cleansing.

One can use colon cleansing herbs to induce bowel movements and thereby clean the colon. Projected as alternatives to commercial laxatives there are genuine risks attached to having such herbs. Some of the most popular colon cleanse herbs are cascara sagrada, rhubarb, senna, etc. All these herbs contain substances called anthraquinones. These are the key substances responsible for the laxative effects of the herbs. But the risks associated in consuming these herbs over a long period of time are serious.

These herbs used as laxatives are quite potent and they start to show action almost as soon as they are administered. Effects begin in anything between six to twelve hours after the first dose. What this suggests is that continuing to have them beyond a week in a row can really be too much for your colon to handle. Your colon should be completely cleansed in a period of seven days. Also if they are to work, they will in the first seven days. So there would be hardly any point in continuing with them if they don't yield results in a week.

There is also the possibility of you developing a dependency for such kind of products if you continue to use them for longer periods.

The colon cleanse herbs and the herbal laxatives are generally harmless and are alternatives to commercial laxatives. Colon cleanse herbs contain substances which fall under the category of anthraquinones. These would include cascara sagrada, rhubarb, and senna. That the herbs have laxative effects can be attributed to the presence of the anthraquinone substances.

If you don't think that your problem of constipation is serious and you are not facing any severe ailments which conventional medicine is not adequate to handle, then it is sensible to stay away from the colon cleansing products and therapies. Just increasing fiber content in your regular diet should work.