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The Master Cleanse

Jo Anne’s Place does not necessarily endorse the Master Cleanse but offers the basic program for information purposes.  Many staff and customers perform this modified fast every year and feel it’s an effective reset.


The Master Cleanse was developed by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940's.  He was very clear in stating that it was not a “cure” for anything.  It simply minimizes the amount of energy required for digestion, assimilation, and elimination, allowing the life-force within the body to do what it was designed to do - maintain, repair, and heal.


It is recommended that for 3 days prior to starting the Master Cleanse, you consume only fresh fruits and fresh, or lightly cooked, vegetables.


Recipe:

  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice (approx. ½ lemon)

  • 2 Tablespoons real maple syrup (dark is highest in nutrients)

  • 1/10 Teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

  • 1 Cup cold to medium hot pure water 

  • Grate a small amount of lemon zest into the drink to increase cleansing effect (omit this step if not using organic lemons)

  • Consume 8 – 12 drinks per day, and lots of plain water in between.

  • Mint tea or chlorophyll water is an acceptable drink for a change.


Elimination:


It is important the bowels move efficiently every day.  Stanley B. recommends the use of natural laxative herbal supplements or a laxative tea morning and night.


As everybody responds differently to laxative herbs, it's a good idea to “experiment” with the product of your choice on your days off
before you begin your cleanse so you can anticipate your need for washroom accessibility!


Another tool for cleansing the bowel is an internal salt-water bath.  Upon rising add 2 teaspoons of unrefined sea salt to one liter of warm water.  Drink the entire liter and do not consume anything else for 20-30 minutes.  Because whole sea salt has the same specific gravity as blood, it will not be absorbed into the body but will begin to wash through the colon usually within an hour.  You may have several movements over the course of the morning.


According to Stanley, an individual in reasonably good health can safely continue on this cleanse for up to 10 days or longer. 


During the cleanse it is normal for the tongue to get heavily coated.  This is an indicator of material being stirred up in the colon.  When the tongue is pink it indicates that the intestinal tract is clean.


A tongue scraper is helpful to remove the buildup and the scraping action has a stimulating reflex action on the digestive tract.  You can use an inverted spoon in lieu of a scraper.  It’s normal to gag a little.



Breaking the fast
:

  • Break the fast as carefully as you started.  For the 1st day, consume only fresh squeezed organic orange juice with some pulp.

  • On the 2nd day, have only fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning, fresh fruit salad for lunch, fresh vegetable salad or soup for supper.

  • On the 3rd, drink orange juice in the morning, fresh vegetable soup for lunch, and any vegetable combination for supper (no meats or grains). 

  • On the 4th day resume (new) normal eating.


A phenomenon some people experience is a heightened awareness of their relationship to food and its effect upon their well-being.  Many people lose their taste for devitalized foods that at one time seemed a treat!  It’s a great time to revamp eating habits to maintain the benefits of the fast.


During the cleanse it is extremely important to get adequate rest and to spend time outdoors in the sunshine, breathing deeply in the fresh air.


*Revised February 2023


Jo Anne's Place Staff

We have been supporting the wellness of our communities since 1976.


Our highly trained staff are here to help. Our Product Educators have vast knowledge and experience with the products we carry in our stores - whether they take them themselves, have taken brand training, or have received feedback from customers. 


Please visit one of our stores to chat with them about we can help support you and get you feeling your best!

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