The Digestive System

CONSTIPATION, DIARRHEA, AND COLON HEALTH

The digestive system can be compared to a particularly fragile ecosystem. There is a constant need for balance in the digestive system, just as there is in nature. Balance among the different types of healthy bacteria found in the digestive system is absolutely essential to good health. When the digestive system is not working properly, the body becomes either malnourished or toxic. As a result, all the woes of poor nutrition and/or a toxic system eventually show themselves.

95% of the absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine.  Nutrient absorption in the small intestine is deserving of an entire article of its own.  But that must be a topic for another day.

The Colon

The colon is, also a crucial part of the digestive system. The colon, or large intestine, is also a trouble spot for many people. Talking about the bowel, its contents, and its troubles, may not be the most pleasant of topics. Not understanding what your bowel needs to function properly can be even more unpleasant, however.  So, here we go.

Colon Functions

As I pondered this topic, I realized that the colon has a great many more functions than I had considered.

(1) Maintain Bacterial Colonies

The colon must maintain its myriad of bacterial colonies.  These colonies are necessary to further break down the material left after the water has been absorbed. There are over 500 types of “good” bacteria that should be found in the colon. Balance among these colonies is essential if trouble is to be avoided.

(2) Digest Fiber

Fiber is a form of carbohydrate.  It remains largely undigested as it passes through the small intestine. Fiber passes through the small intestine pretty much intact because it takes longer to digest than most other nutrients. Bacteria present in the colon digests fiber portions.  It then turns them into fatty acid chains. These fatty acids are used to produce energy within the body. This is only one simple example of the processing of fiber in the colon.

(3) Re-absorption of Water

When the digested food reaches the large intestine, it is in a very liquid form. The colon is responsible for the re-absorption of this excess fluid.  However, if the walls of the colon are impacted with fecal material, this does not happen properly.  The result is, also diarrhea.

(4) Final Absorption of Essential Salts

Minerals are re-absorbed as the colon returns water to the bloodstream. Among these minerals are various important salts. These salts are necessary for nerve transmission to muscles. The heart is a muscle. These salts are essential to the heart continuing to beat.  They are also necessary to the inflation and deflation of the lungs. Salt is also used to create proteins in the blood. Salt is necessary to the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.  Hydrochloric acid is essential to break down food.  As a result, it assists in the absorption of nutrients.

(5) Vitamin Production

The colon contains bacteria that interact with undigested food material to produce some very necessary vitamins. One of these interactions produces vitamin K. Vitamin K is necessary for the proper clotting of blood. Insufficient vitamin K in the blood causes excessive or easy bruising.  It also increases the risk of excessive bleeding.  The large intestine also processes B vitamins.

(6) Fermentation of Indigestible Materials

These bacterial colonies are responsible for the fermentation of any indigestible materials we may have inadvertently ingested. In today’s world, unless we are eating VERY responsibly, this is a very important function.

(7) Formation of the Stool

With the excess water absorbed and the nutrients removed, the colon is then able to form a proper stool.  A healthy colon rarely suffers from either constipation or diarrhea.

What the Colon needs to be healthy

• Nutrition  The colon requires a good diet that includes adequate nutrition. The diet should include, among other healthy nutrients, salt and trace minerals.
• Water  The colon requires an adequate intake of water, preferably from a good source. If the body is dehydrated, constipation is a sure thing.
• Exercise  Exercise is a huge part of keeping a colon healthy. Increasing blood flow and circulation through exercise, brings additional oxygen to the entire length of the colon. Stretching , yoga, or walking 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient.
• Short fasts  Short, infrequent fasts have been shown to improve colon health. Perhaps 24 hours once a month is a good idea, after all.
• Lymph Drainage  A healthy lymphatic system will prevent colon waste that inadvertently enters the bloodstream from becoming a serious problem.
• Regularity  The colon needs a schedule of regular bathroom visits. Don’t hold it. Not being able to, or not choosing to, respond to nature’s call immediately is guaranteed to bring on constipation.
• Nerve and Muscle Tone  For the colon to work properly, there must be good nerve and muscle tone.

The Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system is a sub-division of the autonomic nervous system. The terms second brain or brain of the gut are modern slang expressions for this system.   This system consists of a mesh-like highway of neurons that govern the gastrointestinal system.   This system is discussed in more detail in the article “The Gut Brain Connection.”

Constipation

Constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficulty passing stools. To be labeled chronic, this pattern must persist for several weeks or longer.  Occasional constipation is very common.  Many people experience chronic constipation. Chronic constipation can interfere with the accomplishment of every day tasks. It can also be the cause of some very serious health problems.

Infrequent? One definition that I came across described constipation as “having fewer than three bowel movements a week.” This is, in my opinion, a prime example of the medical world having a much less stringent (intelligent) standard that does the alternative world. My own standard is a bowel movement following every meal. For certain, there should be a least one movement of the bowel every single day.

The colon is designed to evacuate regularly and cleanly by producing a bowel movement after every meal. The action of the bowel is controlled by a nerve plexus at the end of the colon. This nerve plexus seems to be part of the Vagus nerve system. When I learned to Foot Zone years ago, this plexus was referred to as the “Olsen Point”.  When food is ingested, a signal is sent to this nerve plexus indicating that the bowel needs to be evacuated.  Snacking between meals really fouls up this signaling system. Eating between meals is as bad for us as our mothers said it was! We should stop doing this to ourselves and teach the next generation better habits!

The constipation of pregnancy is a special circumstance. Constipation is the natural consequence of hormones that relax the muscles (of which the intestine is one) so that the stretching that needs to be done can be accomplished. Increasing folate consumption will help soften the stool. Equally important, adding folate will also help avert anemia.

 

Some Possible Causes (or Aggravations) of Constipation

• Lack of Fiber in the Diet

Soluble fiber in the diet allows more water to arrive in the colon. As the fiber and water are processed in the large intestine, the water is made available. This moisture allows for the creation of a softer, gentler stool. The fiber also adds bulk to the fecal matter. Bulk hastens the stool’s passage through the colon, preventing constipation. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber.

• Not Drinking Sufficient Water

Dehydration is actually one of the most common causes of chronic constipation. The cells of the body need water for many important functions. If a sufficient amount is not being provided, the large intestine will soak up any fluid that it can when it gets the chance. This will create stools that are the hardened masses typical of constipation.

• Lack of Exercise

Exercise increases breathing and heart rate. Exercise stimulates the nerves and the muscles they communicate with. All of this helps your body, including your digestive tract, to function more efficiently. Regular exercise often brings about other beneficial lifestyle changes. As I have been heard to say, “I am not going to waste the sweat equity by eating that cookie!”  Other improvements brought about by exercise might include a higher water intake and a reduction in stress. A “lazy” lifestyle or enforced inactivity of any kind are considered extreme risk factors for constipation.

• Neglecting or Ignoring Signals

Holding in bowel movements, or just ignoring the urge to go, is one of the most common causes of occasional constipation. Holding it all in on rare occasions usually won’t cause any long-term problem. Doing so too frequently is another matter altogether.

• Insufficient Lymph Function

The appendix breaks down bacteria coming from the colon. This “trash” is then dispensed into the lymph system for removal from the body. Diarrhea can be an appendix/lymph system issue. Lymphatic issues will, eventually and without fail, contribute to constipation.  Constipation will definitely contribute to lymphatic congestion.

Additional Contributors to Constipation

Besides the ones listed above, there are a host of less well-known contributors to constipation woes. Some of these include:

• High levels of unabsorbed calcium.  This may be an endocrine system issue, more particularly of the parathyroid glands
• Low levels of thyroid hormones—hypothyroidism
• Kidney dysfunction or failure
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Injuries to the nerves of the spine that control peristalsis
• Hemorrhoids and anal fissures
• Infection of the Anus
• Incorrect defecation posture and positioning can also contribute to constipation woes
• Hormones in pregnant, menopausal and postpartum women often produce constipation
• During menopause, as responsibility for hormone balance changes from one organ to another in the body, constipation may also occur.

Constipation Alternating with Diarrhea

Constipation that alternates, or is accompanied by, diarrhea is a common complaint. A temporary shift from constipation to diarrhea, and back again, may be caused by a simple intestinal virus.  This should be cleared up immediately by the proper herbal and essential oil remedies.

Intermittent diarrhea with a feeling of incomplete evacuation may be an early indication of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Diarrhea alternating with constipation from week to week is common with IBS. Certainly, there is always abdominal pain with IBS.

Very severe constipation can cause a sudden diarrhea-like loose stool. If stools are very hard and very large and are unable to move, watery bowel contents become backed up behind them. Eventually the watery matter spills around the sides of the hard stool. The results in a form of very sudden diarrhea.

Some Possible Causes (or Aggravations) of Diarrhea

• Food allergies or intolerances. Wheat and dairy are problems for many people.
• Diabetes
• Intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. Disorders such as anal fissures or hemorrhoids, intestinal obstructions, and pelvic floor problems can also cause constipation.
• Food poisoning or infection by some other type of bacteria
• Laxative abuse
• Certain medications, among them pain medication, anti-depressives, and antacids.  Chemotherapy often results in debilitating diarrhea
• Stress, especially stress of a continuing nature that has no real end in sight, can cause both constipation and diarrhea. Learning to take some time off and do something for yourself is a good preventative of both diarrhea and constipation

Emotional Contributors to Constipation

There are a variety of emotions that impact colon health.  For example, constipation may be the result of hanging on to old ideas or behavior patterns.  There may be a tendency to hold on to old angers and resentments. Without a doubt, being “bound up” emotionally may “bind us up” physically.

Emotional Contributors to Diarrhea

Diarrhea has exactly the opposite emotional pattern. Diarrhea may indicate that a person is too quick to reject new ideas or ways of doing things. There may be a lack objectivity and an inability to see people and ideas clearly.  There may be a tendency to make snap judgments and becoming overly defensive if called on them.

Emotions such as anxiety or fear may also contribute to chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea, or frequent bouts of debilitating diarrhea, may indicate that there are emotions that we are unable to “assimilate”.  There may be an emotion or a situation that we are trying to rid ourselves of completely.

Emotional Contributors to Bowel Function in General

Problems with bowel function in general may also be linked to feelings of powerlessness or lack of control. There may be the feeling that there is no real say in one’s own life’s decisions.

Alternating between going along and standing our ground may create constipation with alternating diarrhea. Going along with other people’s opinions and then alternately, like constipation followed by diarrhea, stubbornly demanding to do it our own way, may underlay this condition.

In Deb Shapiro’s book, Your Body Speaks Your Mind, there is an insightful question for problems like this.  She asks, “What is needed for you to develop a greater trust in the unknown?”

The intestines are responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Perhaps they are also responsible for the assimilation of the details of our personal reality. It is in the intestinal tract that we all process our “stuff”.

The effects of Constipation (and other colon issues)

Chronic constipation is too often treated as a nuisance rather than as the serious medical condition that it really is. The following are just a few of the possible nasty results of chronic constipation.

Colorectal Disorders

Constipation predisposes a person to all major colorectal disorders. This may be only hemorrhoids but may lead to serious things such as colorectal cancer. The reasons for this are easy to understand. The colon is designed to hold a few pounds of feces while it is in transit. When a person is constipated, the colon is sometime holding 10 or even 20 pounds more than this.  This tremendous weight is only part of the problem. Large, heavy stools enlarge and stretch out the entire colon. They irritate the colon mucosa and harm the anal canal. The normal fermentation processes, when stalled out like this, may produce devastating toxins that then enter the bloodstream.

Destruction of Healthy Intestinal Bacteria

Constipation may lead to the diminishing or complete absence of normal intestinal flora. These healthy bacterial colonies perform several important functions. First, they protect the colon from inflammation causing pathogens. Second, they bring about production of essential B-vitamins and vitamin K. Third, they are essential to primary immunity.  Primary immunity is the body’s innate intelligent response to a substance encountered for the first time. Fourth, these bacteria help form stools and keep them soft and moist.

Quality of Life

Constipation affects the overall quality of life and causes a lot of stress. This will understandably compromise your over-all sense of well-being. One thing leads to another and becomes self-perpetuating. Eventually, toxic buildup will profoundly affect the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems.

Polyps and Colon Cancer

Chronic constipation strips the thin muscosal membrane from the colon body. This causes flat lesions (dead places) and polyps that eventually become colon cancer.

Genitourinary Health

The negative effects of colon issues happen to both women and men. Women are often harder hit because of the proximity of the large intestine to the reproductive organs in females. There may also be undue pressure on internal organs such as the uterus or the prostate. Fecal incontinence may keep the sufferer tied to home. Straining may cause an entire range of problems. Hemorrhoids, rectal or anal prolapse, and even miscarriage from straining are only a few of the nasty possibilities.

Solutions

Bathroom Habits

Being sure to sit on the toilet at the same time every day (even when there is no urge) is important. I would recommend doing this a few minutes after each meal and immediately after exercising. This is an important step so, please, don’t skip it.

Fiber and Fluids

Additional fiber and fluids will often relieve constipation.

Exercise

Consistent mild exercise (at least 20 or so per day) can greatly improve bowel health.

Bran

Oat bran consumed raw, or in good quality whole grain cereals, is excellent at gently opening the colon.  Oat bran and wheat bran mixed with molasses and coconut was a big part of my husband’s recovery from really serious bowel issues when he was a very young man.

Fruits and Vegetables

Add lots of fruits and vegetables to your diet.  Consider including prunes, at least for the first little while.

Herbs and Foods

Colon stimulating herbs include anise seed, barberry, cascara sagrada, elecampane, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, and turmeric.    Herbs include red raspberry, safflower, slippery elm, black walnut, buckthorn, chamomile, chickweed, and flaxseeds.  Stool softening foods include sweet almond or olive oil, apples, apricots, asparagus, figs, and prunes.

The herbal formula, BC, loosens old fecal matter and cleans the bowel.  Consider us BC as part of a cleansing program.

 CAC has a laxative effect on the bowels.  This formula also cleanses and purifies the blood.  CAC works best as a specially made tea, rather than as a tincture.  The book, Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies, contains instructions for making this tea.

CD (formerly Colon  Digestive) soothes inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract.  Plantain and papaya, found in this formation, soothe and heal while acting as a mild colon cleanse.

LB (formerly Lower Bowel) is a bit stronger than the CD formula.  LB cleanses the lower bowel, quite strongly, in fact.  You might consider using them alternately.

Chamomile  Chamomile regulates peristalsis.  It is used to treat both diarrhea and constipation.

Stoneroot  Stoneroot is, surprisingly, effective for the bowels.  It is useful for both diarrhea and constipation.

Red Raspberry  Like chamomile, this herb is of benefit in most cases of diarrhea, constipation, stomach and intestinal upsets, and hemorrhoids.

Essential Oils

InsideOut  ^LeInsideOut was Butterfly’s first digestive blend.  ^LeInsideOut improves the function of the entire digestive system.  It is particularly effective with the colon for constipation and diarrhea.  ^LeInsideOut’s ability to be effective for both constipation and diarrhea may seem odd.  It is not.  Natural remedies work with the body to return systems to balanced and healthy states.  They are not the administering of an “opposing” remedy.  Natural remedies always work in this way.

^LeJulia  The blend named ^LeJulia works especially well for gas and constipation in infants.  A grandbaby found instant relief of gas and cramping with this blend.  I created ^LeJulia for her when she was only a few days old.  ^LeJulia works equally well for adults in relieving gas and constipation.

^LeLetting Go  We must let go of emotional baggage in order for the our colons to function properly.  ^LeLetting Go aids us in doing exactly that, when we are ready and willing.

^LeAmbition  With coriander, peppermint, grapefruit, and lime as ingredients, it is a wonderful blend for digestive health.

Fennel  Fennel contains volatile oils that relax spasms and relieve gas pains.

Patchouli  Patchouli can help with constipation that is driven by particular emotions.  These emotions include holding on to every little thing, emotionally and physically.

Tarragon  Tarragon increases peristaltic motion in the intestines thus eliminating constipation.

Homeopathics/Blessed Waters

A great many remedies appear in the Reperatories for Constipation and Diarrhea.    There are even quite a few of them that are listed in All Caps Bold, indicating that they are true polycrests.  I am going to list just a few, for children and for adults.  Constipation and diarrhea manifest in many different ways.  My goal with these brief descriptions is to point out, once again, that the remedy must match the presenting symptoms.

In true alternative fashion, most of the remedies work for both conditions.  As a result, I have chosen to give those preference in my choice of remedies to list.

Some Polycrest Remedies for Children and Adults Constipation

Alum   Constipation brought on by artificial baby food.   Starchy foods, like potatoes, make the constipation worse.   Mood alternates between highs and lows.  The pain manifests mostly on the left side.  Even a soft stool seems to pass with great difficulty.

Bry    The constipation makes the abdomen exceedingly sore to touch.  Flatulence (gas) moves with extreme pain.  The person becomes exceedingly irritable.  Diarrhea alternates with constipation.

Cham   Flatulent colic brought on by anger or upset.  Stools become slimy and greenish in color.  The child is unusually irritable, fussy, and whining.

Lyc   Food allergies contribute to the bloated abdomen.   As a result of the allergies, the baby experiences a great deal of colic.  The child awakes irritable and out of sorts.

An Interesting Polycrest Remedy for Diarrhea in Children

Calc   Children crave indigestible things like dirt and chalk.

Some Polycrest Remedies Generally Applicable Only to Adults

Ars   Constipation comes with violent pains in the abdomen.  Gastroenteritis.  The liver and the spleen become enlarged.  The person is unusually nervous, anxious, and restless.

Caust   Hemorrhoids impeding the stools.  The stools are hard, tough and covered with mucous.  As a result, there is constipation with ineffectual urging.  The abdomen enlarges.  As a result, pain radiates to the back.

Cocc    Stools become soft, loose, acidic and sometimes take on a yellowish color.  As a result, the rectum burns  upon evacuation of the stool.  Lack of peristaltic motion brings on constipation.  The rectum prolapses after stool.  Abdominal muscles are weak.  Loss of sleep bring on mental fatigue and other ailments.

Graph   Fissures form in the anus.  Passing of stool creates cutting pains followed by constriction and hours of aching.  Chronic diarrhea that contains undigested food material and smells very foul.  Abdomen tightens.  As a result, the person cannot tolerate tight clothes around the waist.  The person suffers from periodic depression.  The sufferer becomes obstinate and moody.

Lac-D  (abbreviation may be confusing; stands for Lac vaccinum defloratum)  Constipation that is persistent and resistant to laxatives.   Stools that are large and hard and accompanied by headaches.  The abdomen feels as though there is a heavy stone there.  Depression with crying and the need to talk to someone in order to feel better.

Nat-m   Constipation alternates with diarrhea on alternate days.  Stools tear the anus and cause burning pain.  Ailments come about because of grief.  Grief is always an underlying theme with this remedy.  Severe depression and feelings of isolation.

Verat   Stools become large and plentiful before being passed by much straining.  The abdomen feels abnormally cold.  The attitude becomes sullen and indifferent.  There is no indifference about the fear of impending misfortune or death that the person feels.

Laxatives

I hate the word laxative so badly that I hesitated even to put it here.  Unfortunately, using laxatives to relieve constipation is a common practice.   However, it is not a good practice, only a common one.   Constipation almost always responds very well to healthier methods.

If you have been using stimulant laxatives, even herbal ones, you will have to teach your colon better ways of functioning.  Following the suggestions above can accomplish that for you.   But, first, you must begin weaning yourself off of the laxatives. For the first week, take a colon stimulating herbal such as cascara sagrada or another one from the list. Use the least possible dose necessary to reliably create a bowel movement in the morning. Each week, decrease the laxative dose by half. Pay close attention to diet, fluids, and exercise. Add some of the foods listed in this article as stool softening agents.  Add lots of fruits and vegetables to your diet—include prunes for the first little while.

You may experience cramping and nausea at first.  This will be especially likely if your colon is damaged by diverticula or coated with compacted fecal matter.  This will not last very long, however.  Furthermore, it may be unavoidable. Your bowels should begin moving regularly.  They should move at least once a day is nice.  However, more often is certainly better.  Maintain colon health by (you guessed it) attention to diet, fluids, and exercise. Fruits, vegetables, and fluids are the keys to colon health.  If you must use an herbal laxative.  Swiss Kriss is by far my favorite.

Herbal Cathartics

Cathartics cleanse waste matter from the liver, gall ducts, small intestines, and colon.  They affect peristaltic action, the secretion of bile, and the nerve impulses to these areas. The herbs which stimulate the evacuation of the bowel divide into two categories.  These categories are completely different.  Do not confuse these herbs with one another!  The categories are:

1.  Herbs that cause moderate peristalsis without cramping and irritation.  This type of herb generally nourishes and strengthens the colon.  They also feed the nerves
2.   Herbs which produce active, or even violent, peristalsis.  Intense cramping and purging of the bowels results from ingesting these herbs.

Cascara Sagrada is one of the best of the moderate herbs.  Aloe vera is also a good choice.  However, there are those who are allergic to it.  Licorice root also benefits the bowels.

Some stronger purgative herbs are Cape Aloes, Turkey Rhubarb and Senna.  I would have to be pretty desperate to resort to any of these.  These stronger purgative herbs usually accomplish evacuation in about 8 – 12 hours.  Take these herbs in the morning on an empty stomach for best results.

Herbal remedies bring about normal, healthy function in the body.  Treating chronic constipation by producing episodes of diarrhea between bouts of constipation does not indicate a healthy bowel.  The gradual softening of the stool and a return to normal peristalsis should always be the goal.  You will need to make long-term changes in dietary and living habits. This is far preferable to taking a remedy to evacuate the bowel from time to time.

Cascara Sagrada

Cascara is one of nature’s best remedies.  This herb improves the action and general tone of the bowel.  It does not cause reliance or addiction problems.  A person may have a serious need for the nutrients provided by Cascara.  Therefore, they may end up taking it for a long time.  That, however, is not an addiction.  It simply demonstrates the need for better nutrition from food sources.  Cascara also strengthens the liver.  In addition, it stimulates the gallbladder.

Licorice Root

The addition of licorice root to bowel formulas modifies that action of some of the more drastic cathartics.  Licorice root is especially useful for bowel problems associated with circulatory issues.  Hemorrhoids are a good example of circulatory issues in the bowel.  Caution is advised.  Licorice root is mildly contra-indicated for certain types of heart conditions.

Senna

Senna works unusually quickly – usually within 2 – 6 hours.   You will almost always have cramping, gas, and nausea when taking Senna.  If you feel that you must take this herb, take it with a little cloves, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, or fennel.  These herbs will minimize these nasty side effects, usually quite a bit.

Senna acts so rapidly that if often creates a kind of dehydration in the bowel.  As a result, further constipation is likely.  Senna does nothing to establish normal function.  It does not nourish the bowel of help establish healthy bacteria in the colon. Please use caution, especially when working with children or the elderly.

Castor Oil

There are herbs which have even more drastic action than the three that I have listed in category 2 above.  These herbs cause severe inflammation and destroy delicate membranes and tissues.  I can think of no valid reason to use these herbs.  Therefore, except for castor oil, I have not listed them here.  If  you do decide to look them up and use them, be sure to follow up with demulcent herbs.  The demulcents should be used for a very long time.  In my opinion, much harm has been done to many people by the overuse of purging and cleansing herbs.

I consider castor oil to be on this list of nasties.  Castor oil produces violent cramping as it evacuates the bowel.  The cramping is so violent that it, almost always, induces labor.   Consider carefully before putting anything this violent into your body.  Side Note:  The woman who goes into labor as the result of castor oil is often so worn out from the cramping that she is simply too spent to labor well.

Endotoxins

As much as 80% of common ailments begin in a toxic and constipated colon. Poisons from the colon can stress the heart, lodge in joints, invade muscles, cause fatigue and weakness, create skin problems, irritate the lungs, and drastically overtax the liver.

It is possible for toxins to move directly into the bloodstream from other places in a constipated and toxic colon.  A normally functioning liver filters toxins from the blood.  However, if the liver is unable to perform this function properly a host of nasty symptoms follow.  In addition, there are places in the rectal area of the colon where absorption into the bloodstream bypasses the liver entirely.   Endotoxins are circulating bacteria and toxins that enter the bloodstream from the colon.  These endotoxins are able to reach, very quickly, every organ, system, and cell that blood circulation reaches.

Endotoxins circulating in the blood cause all sorts of havoc.  Without doubt they are responsible for inflammation and cell damage that occurs in such diseases as gout and arthritis.  Endotoxins are often the underlying cause of skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema. These types of skin conditions will not clear up without an internal cleanse.  For that reason, you will need to eliminate the bacteria from the bloodstream first.  This contaminated and dirty blood may even contain cancer cells!  Subsequently, I like to take the RC formula from time to time.  This helps me to keep a handle on any possible circulating cancer cells.

Sarsaparilla as an Endotoxin Binder

Laboratory evidence strongly indicates that sarsaparilla is an endotoxin binder.  Endotoxins appear to bind to certain nutrients found in sarsaparilla.  Bound in this way endotoxins pass harmlessly from the body through the urinary system.  Consequently, many anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious formulas contain sarsaparilla.  Use sarsaparilla in small amounts, as a general rule, however.

If you found this article helpful you may also like the article on The Gut Brain Connection