The Master Cleanse is the name of a cleansing fast created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941. Since then, thousands have tried it and many have found it to be a helpful way of losing weight and getting your body to a healthier place.
What is it?
At its most basic, The Master Cleanse is simply a liquid diet with a minimal daily calorie intake. Stanley Burroughs actually described it as a detoxifying diet, one that removes toxins and built up wastes from the body. Your daily food consists of only one thing, and that is a simple “Lemonade” made from fresh lemons, maple syrup and purified water. Aside from the lemonade, the only other things you ingest are copious amounts of fresh water, and a daily “flush” that is little more than a salt water laxative.
The Master Cleanse usually lasts anywhere from three to ten days, with most proponents suggesting that optimal health is only reached by going for at least the ten day mark.
How does it work?
1) You stop ingesting solid foods, many state this allows your digestive system to “relax” and allows your body to focus on eliminating toxins.
2) You cleanse your body, especially the intestines of long built up wastes. Since you are no longer pushing sold foods through your insides, the daily flushes should in theory help break up and flush out any waste material you have in your gut. This is also assisted by the mucus membrane stimulating effect of capsaicin found in the lemonade.
3) Many of the people that stick to a diet plan such as the Master Cleanse, report that it helps them gain some level of mental clarity and at once the fasting period is over, and that it is easier to focus on a healthier diet and lifestyle.
How do I do it?
Many suggest that you start off your cleanse with a day or two “ease-in” period and finish up with a day or two “ease-out” period.
Ease-in
Easing into the Master Cleanse usually consists of slowing moving from solid foods to more liquid based foods, and ending with a day of juice (usually Orange) so that you become more adjusted to daily regimen.
Ease-out
The Ease out step is generally the reverse of the ease-in period. You slowly reintroduce solid foods into your diet, starting with a day where you only take in juices and other clear liquids. Most people seem to suggest a two to three day ease out period.
The Lemonade Diet (3 – 10+ days)
The Master Cleanse is very simple, mainly because you are limited to a single food source, which is simple lemonade. This is the source of all of your daily calories, vitamins and nutrients:
The Lemonade Diet (Daily Mixture)
60 ounces of filtered water
12 Tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup
12 Tablespoons of organic lemon juice
1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
In addition to the lemonade, once per day you also mix up a laxative which is simply an indigestible salt water drink. You drink the flush all at one time, and usually within one to three hours, experience one or more “eliminations”. (NOTE: Once you drink the flush, do your best to remain near a bathroom until you know the flush is mostly out of your system, the urge to eliminate can come on very quickly)
The Salt Water Flush (SWF)
1 quart of lukewarm or room temperature water
2 level teaspoons of sea salt
Additional Information:
You can visit our forum here, where I have documented my week long adventure with The Master Cleanse. There are also many online resources for information on the Master Cleanse, one such site is The Master Cleanser, which has a good online forum that offers support and guidance.