When considering using an Herbal Laxative for The Master Cleanse, one first has to understand some simple body mechanics and what the MC is and how it works. The Master Cleanse is a liquid mono-diet, which means it is a diet of only liquids composed of only the lemonade drink; it does not require or need any other foods. In fact, other foods or supplements only hinder its effectiveness and slow down the cleansing process. However, we still need to have regularity, and that’s where the herbal laxatives come in.
Why Is an Herbal Laxative Necessary?
[easyazon_image align=”right” asin=”B0009F3PJE” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oYNctsP7L._SL160_.jpg” width=”123″]The cleansing process or autolysis requires enzymatic processes to function properly, the eating of food uses enzymes for digestion rather than the breaking down of dis-eased and unhealthy cells as well as wastes that accumulate in the body. This lack of eating then does not provide adequate amounts of fiber in the diet. Fiber is absolutely necessary for peristalsis or the wave like contractions that cause food to move through the digestive system and also finally to create the urge for bowel movements. To compensate for this deficiency while on the Master Cleanse one has to take an herbal laxative to ensure the colon functions and causes the waste to be loosened and dislodged from the digestive system.
Herbal Laxative Addictive?
But wait, isn’t a herbal laxative, or any laxative, addictive when taken for more than a week? Yes, but only when you are eating food on a daily basis does this occur. While on The Master Cleanse, if you don’t eliminate, you get sick; in fact, I have talked to many, many people who are on the Master Cleanse and either have misread the instructions and have not taken an herbal laxative or taken a dosage that does not work while cleansing. The Master Cleanse is a cleansing diet, and regular eliminations are vital to feeling well and having great success. You can only stop taking a herbal laxative if you get diarrhea. 
Now, because The Master Cleanse is a liquid-mono diet and you only consume liquids your Bowel Movements (BMs) are liquid or runny for almost all eliminations. This is not diarrhea. Only if you are running to the bathroom 7 or more times a day should you stop or at least lower your dosage until your eliminations return to 3 or 4 a day. I myself have done The Master Cleanse over 1200 days in total and I am not dependent on laxatives at all, I was constipated until I started using The Master Cleanse in 1979.
Herbal Laxative Dosage
Dosage of the Herbal Laxative is an issue that has to be taken into consideration, the right amount is dependent on many factors including your weight, state of health, and type of laxative that you are using. There are [easyazon-link asin=”B0019LXINU” locale=”us”]herbal teas[/easyazon-link], encapsulated herbs and herbal tablets that can be used for The Master Cleanse but I prefer tablets as the dosage is easy to adjust to your own specific needs. My rule of thumb is to not follow the instructions on the packaging as they are for people that are already eating not cleansing. This means the dosage will be less than necessary for someone on a liquid diet, so instead of 1 tablet I take 4 and this provides enough stimulation to generally have 1 to 2 eliminations from 1 dosage. This maybe too much for some but most require this amount or more for productive BM’s. The herbal laxative should be used every morning and evening, when using salt water flush in the morning then only laxative at night.
One last note, psyllium husks are not a laxative but a high fiber food that causes peristalsis and is not recommended on The Master Cleanse.
Do you use the laxative in your Master Cleanse routine? Which Laxative do you use? Please leave a comment below to let us know your experience.
Hi, I’m currently doing the master cleanse, however I’m concerned about taking the laxative tea every night for 10 days as it is not supposed to be taken for more than 7 consecutive days according to the dosage instructions. I was wondering if anyone has had problems with this or you have just taken the tea every night for 10 days without any problems? Thank you.
well, I gave into the swf with 2 tsp of pink sea salt. Now I wait…it is 3am and I can’t go back to sleep so I figured I would wait. SO here I am waiting. Was I the only one who thought this was toxic? Also, am I the only one who actually welcomed the salty taste after so much sweet? I liked it a lot..must mean I need it. Also, I only have grade A syrup but it seems to be working just fine. I worked out on day 2 and 3 and felt so good. I had so much energy and I had to up my dosage of juice to double. I have 2 cups of maple syrup and 2 cups of lemonade throughout the day and I still get a bit hungry…it’s crazy. I am losing inches and clothes fit better. Hope my liver cleanses. Can’t wait to see the end result. I always eat clean and vegan, so the detox is not bad. I only had a low grade headache the first 2 days. Hope hunger goes away soon..maybe I should stop working out? ugh, but I just love it.
On the page regarding vitamins and supplements it states that a capsule, pill or tablet causes a digestive action in the gut with no food to work with and therefore is not got a good thing but on this page Tom Woloshyn declares that his dose of herbal laxative is 4 tablets. Can someone please clarify whether tablets may be used instead of tea bags?
Thank you.
Tom does like to use tablets because it can be easier to get an exact dosage. But, the principal of the tablet is still the same. This is an exception. The best-practice is no tablets or capsules, use the tea, and carry on. But if you’re having trouble getting the right dosage, you can try a tablet in this case. Great question!
what if I get a bowel movement without any help from the salt flush or tea? I am starting day four and I have had a bm everyday so far. I also had one everyday for 21 days when I fasted only on water a few years ago. That was very telling to me about the body. I eat pretty well and super cleanly, but recently I have been gaining weight rapidly and not being able to lose it at all. I read about the liver and now I know it must be that, as my thyroid tests came in normal. I also want to add, I have worked out on day 2 and 3 and loved it and never felt tired, but had to double up on the drink. I have double the amount as the recommended 10 glasses a day. I still get hungry at times.
if I’m doing the salt water flush at night should I still take the smooth move tablets at night and in the morning??? And if so, for the nightly dose Should I take them after the salt water flush or before? Thank you
Hi Patrick,
You would definitely take it after you finish flushing (last movement).
You might want to try the SWF in the morning, I find it much more manageable.
Mike
I just finished my 1st day. The lemonade does not taste bad but the Smooth Move was so gross. I’m going to get Swiss Kriss tomorrow BC I had a hard time keeping the Smooth Move down. How many tabs do I take of the Swiss Kriss? I am 165lbs.
Lemonade Diet Day 1 – I was told about this diet and I had tried it before. I was doing it with someone the last time and they just told me about the lemonade and how to make it. Nothing about easing in or out nor the herbal laxative. I made it about 4 days or so and gave in. Technically this is my first time on my own and I want to do it right. Now that I am retrying I found this website and of course I didn’t ease in plus I bought the wrong tea I have the Detox tea by the makers of Smooth Move. I won’t be able to get the Smooth Move tea until Monday. I saw something on this website about start with the salt water flush for the first few days and then you can switch to the tea but that isn’t what the directions read so I’m asking. Is it okay for me to start the salt water flush this evening as I have only purchased the lemons, syrup and cayenne and then start the tea on Monday? Also, I had to either get Grade B 100% Maple or Grade A Organic Syrup. Did I make the right choice getting the Grade B or should I switch that on Monday and just start then? Except the notation I made above, I have researched my questions to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Can we use a different type of laxative? Like Magnesium Citrate instead of the tea and the salt water?
do you take the laxative every night that you are doing the MC or only the first night?
So thankful you wrote this post. I read Tom Woloshyn’s book and I was following straight laced. I didn’t know we could take more than one herbal laxative. But now readin this I feel better about taking more than just one. Thanks
I am on lemonade diet day 7 ;-)
We can use Swiss Kriss?
Yes you sure can!
Hey Mike,
New to this, I’m on day 2 and got Swiss Kriss flake form. I took the dosage last night on the box but from what I see I probably need to take more. I also did 1 tsp instead of the 2 since I was trying to ease myself into it. I felt a rumble but still haven’t had a BM and was wondering if you’ve heard of anyone trying Bentonite and it working?? I read it on a page somewhere and am thinking I may have to since I haven’t had a BM and I feel extremely bloated.
Lemonade Diet Day 1 – Started the lemonade diet this morning without doing the full ease in process. i did the ease in for 1 day rather than 3. took my organic smooth move tea (laxative) last night and a cup this morning. will be lower to 1 cup in the evening since diarrhea is occuring. hoping for a better day tomorrow.