Here are some of the commonly asked questions on the Master Cleanse. If your question is not listed you may find the answer reading the book, or you can search the Master Cleanse forums that access thousands of pages of people’s questions. (Forum links located within our links page)
What is the Master Cleanse recipe?
Although the Master Cleanse recipe for the lemonade mix is relatively simple, what isn’t easy is for people to follow the Master Cleanse fast without knowing the whole deal. Like the game telephone many people attempt to go the ten days on information a friend wrote down or printed off, or off a partial mention on a website. Many times this ends up leaving out the vital information such as how to properly come off of the cleanse, how to prepare, what to expect, how to use the teas and salt, and more. It is for this reason we do not give out just the Master Cleanse “recipe” and suggest for all to buy the book. Giving out bits and pieces here and there would be doing the “would be cleansers” a disservice. Also, buying the book is a small price to pay for the wisdom given and a percentage of each sale goes to the widow of the author Stanley Burroughs.
Fasting above all is about preventative medicine and is nature’s healing therapy. Fasting is a time proven remedy and goes back thousands of years. The Master Cleanse should not be used nor was intended as a “yo-yo fad diet” Because in modern times we often eat too much, too often, and the wrong things our bodies can become overloaded. Environmental contaminants play another large role into what is stored in our bodies. Fasting rapidly releases toxins from any part of the body that is holding them, such as in fat cells, tumors, and cysts. And fasting can be very beneficial for clogged and congestive conditions, such as sinus congestion, allergies, constipation, acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions, and headaches. Excess mucus and clogging of the eliminative systems is the basis for common congestive diseases and deficiency problems that result from poor nourishment or ineffective digestion/assimilation.
It has been quoted that half of what we eat is for us and the other half is for our doctors. Modern food is heavily processed, artificially colored, flavored, sweetened, and modified in all kinds of insane ways. (90% of the US food expenditures are spent on processed foods.) Now days a high protein, high fat, and non nutritive diet is the “norm”. Foods with the bad fats, bad refined sugars, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics and more will become part of your body. What our bodies don’t recognize will not be properly digested and often times will be stored in the body’s “safe buffer” of fat cells. In order to have good health our bodies like our cars require routine maintenance, kind of a filter/cleaning of our bodies and the bloodstream. When to use the Master Cleanse…
- -When sickness has developed, acute and chronic conditions
- -When dietary abuse and excess weight has become a problem
- -When constipation and or parasites have become a problem
- -When the digestive system needs a rest and a cleansing
- -When better assimilation of nutrients and building of body tissue is needed.
- -When environmental effects are causing a less than ideal state of health
A cleaner body is a happier, healthier, body and this can affect many aspects of your overall human state. As a preventative tool your body will have stronger immunity and reaction to our environment. A cleanse can be a jump start and a clean slate to transform your lifestyle to whatever you are ready to take on, hopefully a diet of whole foods. Life is a path, what you try to experience and what you are in the future will be the decisions you made for yourself. God bless.
For what conditions may fasting be beneficial?
Juice fasting will do two primary things; it can remove toxins that hinder the bodies healing processes and it floods the body with nutrients that energize the bodies natural regenerative abilities. It can be beneficial for;
- -Digestive problems such as indigestion/heartburn, ulcers, and poor nutrient assimilation.
- -Intestinal problems such as constipation, gas, bloating, and diarrhea
- -Colds, flu, and bronchitis
- -Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions
- -Headaches, back pains, fever, and fatigue
- -Food allergies, environmental allergies, and asthma
- -Diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, and obesity
- -Arthritis, high blood pressure, unstable cholesterol levels.
- -Mental illness, cancer, epilepsy, addictions, and more!
- Some General Benefits of fasting
- -Clearer skin
- -Reduced inflamation and pain
- -Purification, rejuvenation, & revitalization
- -Reduction of allergies, asthma, and better resistance and immunity
- -More energy, better sleep, better relaxation
- -Improved senses of taste and smell (and restored taste appreciation for wholesome foods).
- -Clearer mind, focus, and desire to make positive emotional changes
- -Creativity, better planning, inspiration, change of habits, and inward thinking/spiritual awareness
- -Weight loss, control of cravings and addictions, greater flexibilty and anti aging effects
- -Drug detoxification
The author of the book suggests going a minimum of ten days. This is the average amount for a good full cleanse cycle. Many people go longer (up to 40 days) if they still feel heavy detox symptoms, desire further weight loss, or are addressing a specific ailment of disease. Ten days is usually sufficient to feel the great benefits and is the most common duration used. If you are not confident in your ability to fast for 10-days, set your goal to 5, you more than likely will surprise yourself at how easy you are able to fast on the Master Cleanse.
Can I eat or drink anything else during the Master Cleanse Fast?
Fasting with the Master Cleanse is an avoidance of all solid food and has the intake of liquids only. During the cleanse/fast your digestive system will be in a state of rest. From this the repairing begins and hunger goes away. Eating/cheating during the fasting period will stir up the digestive processes and this will end the fasting cycle and lead to hunger. And after a few days of fasting your stomach is without the normal amount of digestive juices and eating any solid food can lead to nausea, discomfort and can be dangerous. You want to end the fast properly with juices, broth (see the book for properly ending the cleanse cycle). You can drink as much clean water as you like during, and take only the herbal teas mentioned. Do not drink coffee, soda, alcohol or anything else not mentioned in the book.
The Master Cleanse recipe of lemon juice, syrup, and cayenne contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary to keep you healthy and supplies all the necessary energy during the cleansing period. Your body has reserves of protein and other nutrients as well which are used as well during times of fasting.
Will I feel hungry, bad or weak?
It is recommended to start on a weekend as some people may feel some hunger, weakness, or irritability during the first three days, (but this is not always the case). What will help minimize this is eating light vegetarian dishes for a few days before starting the cleanse. It is not the lemonade mix that causes these detox symptoms but rather the stirring up of the elimination process. By taking the lemonade mix, energy is freed up within the body (since the body normally uses 35% or more of its energy to digest food) which can now be used to release toxins and rejuvenate the body.
The Master Cleanse Fast makes it possible for people to continue working, and functioning as normal human beings contributing in society. Many people who work out regularly will often experience even more energy during their workout. For some that aren’t in the best of shape, taking enough time to relax and enjoy oneself during the cleansing process is often a great idea. Make sure you do the cleanse at a good time for you, so that should you need to relax you will be able to. Taking walks and time for introspection will be a good benefit for all.
What are the detox symptoms/ side effects?
The symptoms are considered to be a milestone in the cleansing and eliminating process and generally occur on days 1-3 and then day 7 for some. Mild exercise and drinking water can help reduce them.
Common detox symptoms-weakness/ tiredness, irritability/anxiety, boredom, headaches (usually less than a day), cravings for bad foods, white coated tongue, and hot bowels movements.
Less common detox symptoms- Feeling cold (hands and feet), joint pain, achy muscles, skin irritations, cramping, insomnia (in the first few days), nausea, vomiting (rare and very short duration), longer lasting headaches, and dizziness when standing up quickly.
Positive effects- There are many but a few are; emotional and mental clarity and focus, increased energy, feeling calm, peacefull, and happy, smooth and clearer skin, and weight loss for those that need it. Also commonly reported are a heightened sense of smell/ cleaner sinuses, fewer allergies, fewer cravings, stabilized blood sugar levels, stronger immunity, better regularity, stronger digestive system, reduced arthritic pain, more stable blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, and a desire to eat and be healthy! Fasting can also be very beneficial for self realization and change, inspiring conscious life choices and change.
Is it safe to not eat for so long?
A healthy body has reserves/ a “store house” of necessary nutrients, proteins, vitamins, minerals etc. and these can sustain life for many weeks on water alone. Although medically supervised “water only fasts” can go for 40 days, juice fasting is a much safer and easier method that does not require medical supervision in most cases. Juice fasting and the Master Cleanse Fast allow nourishment and the purging of toxins into the blood stream does not happen as rapidly as on a water only fast. Most people would detox too quickly from a water fast and would find difficulty dealing with the detox symptoms. Read below on who should not fast if you would like to know who aren’t good candidates for fasting.
Many diabetics have effectively completed the cleanse. It is important to closely monitor your blood sugar and adjust your meds accordingly. If you are concerned or have any questions you should check with your doctor. If you are a insulin dependent diabetic then there is a substitution of black strap molasses in the beginning. Click here for the Master Cleanse recipe for diabetics…
Is it safe for pregnant or nursing mothers/ WHO SHOULD NOT FAST?
- Anyone going into or coming out of a recent surgery or chemotherapy
- Anyone who is severely underweight or malnourished or has an eating disorder
- People with fatigue resuling from nutrient deficiency
- People with degenerative disease of the muscles and bones
- Pregnant or nursing women
- People with a history of heavy amounts of prescription drugs
- Type 1 Diabetics
- Those suffering from Adrenal Exhaustion
- People with a history of kidney, heart, or liver disease, or anemia
- People who have had organ transplants and are on immune suppresent drugs
- If you have any concerns with your personal health state please contact your doctor
How often can I do the Master Cleanse?
The author mentions that one can cleanse seasonally. It is important to take the several months in between cleanses in order to help rebuild your reserves of nutrients. Spring and fall are especially good times for cleansing to help with allergies, immunity from colds, and to shed some of the common winter weight gain. Some people after cleansing will also continue drinking the lemonade as a breakfast beverage to help maintain the healthy energetic feelings and for the detoxifying effects.
Although it has been called the “Lemonade Diet” it was not designed or intended to be a regular routine for weight loss or a Yo-Yo fad diet. Fasting is too temporary to be a sole solution to weight concerns. This is a cleanse and that should be the main intention in following this program, it is about much much more than weight loss. If the only intention is weight loss you will more than thank likely lose interest and motivation. For those who are overweight a side effect is losing on average 1-1.5 pounds per day over the 10 day average. Some people lose more and some less. If people are underweight they can even sometimes even gain weight.
Don’t count on losing a specific weight as the body will work on what it needs to most. Just know that you are doing yourself a world of good by addressing the possible causes for your weight and health concerns. This cleanse can be a great catalyst for change within your body and can trigger great changes in your health state and desires onward. And what is very helpful is the clean slate “jumpstart” approach where your body’s cravings have been reduced and you have a whole new opportunity to change your diet and or lifestyle.
In Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s book, “Fasting and Eating for Health” he talks about the stages that the body goes through in a water only fast. In the very beginning of a fast the body converts lean muscle tissue to blood sugar (glucose) for energy. After 2 days for a woman and 3 days for a man , the body shifts into converging fat tissue to make blood sugar to avoid burning up any more lean muscle tissue. On average this means that at most, 2 pounds of muscle will be lost in the first few days, and after that only fat will be lost. Because the body is getting some natural sugar from the Master Cleanser drink I believe that muscle loss is even less than in a water fast. This matches very well with what Stanley Burroughs wrote when he mentioned “the only other things that will be lost are mucus, waste, and disease” (p20). Also the maple syrup can be adjusted to give enough calories to help maintain a person’s weight. 6-12 glasses a day translates to around 600-1200 calories per day. In my experience people that don’t have extra weight to lose will find they stay at a certain weight for the majority of the cleanse.
Should I do anything to prepare for the Master Cleanse?
It is best to start the cleanse on your weekend and eating light before hand for a few days can reduce the severity of detox symptoms during the first 2-3 days.
It can also be helpful to put your start date on a calendar to visualize and mentally prepare for the time without food. Make sure you have a schedule that is cleared so that you won’t be tempted to say, eat birthday cake to avoid ridicule. It is often better as well to not mention to everyone what you are doing as people that aren’t familiar with fasting may try to dissuade you on your path towards health.
The author of the program recommends 6 to 12, ten ounce glasses of the lemonade mix per day. If one is trying to lose weight then a little less syrup can be used. If you do feel hunger coming on do not be afraid to drink another glass as you want to be as comfortable and energetic as possible to help stay positive and on track. Remember your goal is to stay on board and if you are low on energy or feeling hungry you may lose your motivation.
If you drink more than 6-8 Master Cleanse drinks per day you will need more syrup than just the half-gallon included in the kits. It can also be ideal to make the Master Cleanse Recipe in bulk every morning to save on time through out the day.
Can I still go to work and exercise?
Many people find they have more energy during the Master Cleanse because the body does not have to expend energy digesting food. You should be able to do normal activities during the Lemonade Diet, including physical activities. The lemonade diet supplies all the vitamins, food, and energy necessary for the full ten days or longer in a liquid form. If you start feeling hungry, fatigued, nauseous, or dizzy, drink more lemonade and plenty of water to give your body a jump and to help with the flushing of toxins out of the bloodstream.
Will I gain all the weight back?
Fasting is only one part of the total health equation. The other two integral parts are building and balancing. From the fast you have reduced not only weight and toxic load, you also have reduced cravings. These cravings and the addictions of food are reduced during and immediately after the Master Cleanser, so it of course will be ideal to eat right while it is easy for you to do so. It also will be a good time to ask yourself “what are you hungry for?” and to work on the psychological/anchored addictions and connections to food. Food will taste good, and you should have a good appetite for natural foods. What you choose to eat after cleansing will be up to you but you should have a plan. Your metabolism will be a little slower for 2-3 weeks so if you are going to eat high calorie, or unhealthy foods you should think twice about your goals. You don’t “deserve” to eat the donuts, you “deserve” to eat, feel, and be healthy!
Can I continue my medication or vitamins?
Meds–The author did not make mention about taking or avoiding medications. Some meds are likely to cause discomfort on an empty stomach or some may have stronger side effects and may be harsh on an empty stomach. If you have any specific questions on certain mediations you should check with your doctor. He/she may tell you if you can safely go off any of the medications. We have never heard of anyone having problems continuing to take birth control pills on the cleanse however.
Vitamins/supplements—The author mentions that supplements during the cleanse are not needed and that they can stir up the resting digestive system and interfere with the cleansing process. This stirring up of digestive juices could also lead to hunger. There are a large amount of vitamins and minerals in the lemonade mix and the book addresses this further.
The salt water flush is considered the rinsing cycle and acts like a “top down” internal enema. Often times this process will almost immediately help diminish some of the detox symptoms. 2 tsp of sea salt dissolved in a quart of water matches the salinity levels in the body so they kidneys do not absorb the salt and the bladder does not absorb the water. After drinking the entire mix it flows through your body in about 30 min- 1 hour. During this time you will want to be near a bathroom. The flush is not mandatory everyday but can be done every morning or every second or third morning if desired. It is a very helpful tool for washing material out of the entire intestinal tract.
Is it normal to see rubbery and smelly fecal matter?
Over time the colon can be impacted, and can be storing old waste. You may notice mucous like ropes, black and rubbery stool, and extremely smelly material exiting your bowels. Just be thankful that this material is leaving your body!
Also to note, the very nature of this detoxifying regiment is to clean you out and this will involve trips to the bathroom. Two to three movements per day are the average amount during the cleansing period, sometimes a little more often in the first two days (as your system empties stored food). After the Master Cleanse Fast it is a good idea to take a probiotic supplement to help build a strong flora balance of good bacteria in your digestive tract. We carry the Iflora brand which is of exceptional quality and value.
Can I smoke during the cleanse?
As a cleanser your first question should be do you want to remain a smoker? If not quitting now when? When you are ready to truly take charge of your health path this should be priority number 1. Smoking while on the cleanse is in part defeating the entire purpose. You wouldn’t get to feel the benefits of a clean and oxygenated body. Ten days of not smoking might be the easiest time you have ever had off nicotine and will possibly be your best chance of quitting ever! Air is our most vital requirement for good health as well as oxygenated clean blood. Might as well take the challenge, you and your health are worth it!
Can I use lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
ONLY use fresh lemons that you squeeze yourself. Most forms of shelf stable lemon juice have been made from concentrate and all of them are pasteurized and thus are void of the necessary vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients. You will need to buy 60-80 lemons, but try not to buy all at once for the freshest and most ripe produce (every 3 days or so). Leave them on the counter or in sunlight to allow them to ripen and you will get more flavor and enzyme activity when they are not refrigerated. Do not use “Meyer lemons” for the Master Cleanse as they have slightly different properties.
Do I need to use organic lemons?
Organic lemons are not coated with additives and pesticides. Organic produce usually has a higher nutrient content as well as it is grown in more ideal soil conditions. If organic lemons or limes are not available you can use conventional lemons. If you do obtain organic lemons, as the book mentions you can grate some of the peel into the lemonade for a stonger lemon taste.
Do you have to use filtered water?
It is important to use quality water (not tap water) all the time, but especially during the cleansing process. Filtering your own through a good brand filter is the most affordable method. Otherwise you can use distilled, or purified bottled water. Spring water can also be used if it is from a very reputable brand. (Some bottled water is no better than municipal tap water). Bottled water can be very expensive and is also harder on the environment so we strongly recommend filtering water yourself. We sell the filters that we found to be the best value and over the long run they will save you loads.
What is the purpose of the ingredients?
- The lemonade mix, cayenne pepper, salt water flush, and laxative tea work together to dissolve and remove disease causing accumulations of mucous, and putrefied toxic laden plaque lining the digestive system that continually leads to the poisoning of the whole body. Each ingredient plays a key part…
- Grade B Maple Syrup- Grade B is less refined and supplies the caloric energy and many of the important minerals and vitamins during the cleansing. It contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B5, B6, C, biotin, folic, and pantothenic acid are also present in pure maple syrup that is a balanced form of natural sugar. Be sure to use only pure maple syrup and not immitation.
- Lemons- Lemons a natural cleansing agent are said to have the qualities of an antiseptic, antiviral, antispasmodic, antioxidant, astringent, a diuretic, antifungal, and an immune-stimulant. They contain a large amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium and many other vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients. The juice also encourages bile secretion and can loosen and bring out mucus. Lemons are very alkalizing which helps to balance the body and blood to a healthy pH. Balancing your pH rids the body of microforms (fungi, bacteria, viruses etc.) and most disease cannot live in an alkaline, oxygenated environment.
- Cayenne- Is a blood warming herb that dilates the blood vessels/ capillaries, increases circulation and metabolism, and nutrient & waste transport. There is no other herb that increases blood flow faster than cayenne. It also helps remove mucous waste througout the body and in the digestive system, helps digestive disorders, and is often taken by athletes to increase energy. Cayenne also adds potassium, calcium, flavanoids and many of the B and C vitamins to the mix and will help build the immune system. Cayenne also helps reduce the likely hood of headaches while fasting.
- Herbal Laxative Tea- Aids in elimination of freed up toxins from the body. The natural herbs stimulate the peristalsis of the colon to expel the waste fast enough in order to avoid reabsorbtion which can lead to tiredness and a number of other problems. Because the fast lacks any kind of fiber this is an integral part to help the bodies cleansing/elimination process.
- Sea Salt- Is used as a laxative flush when mixed with water in the proper amounts. The mixture matches the salinity and specific gravity of the blood and thus is not absorbed but instead passes through your system like a top down enema. The process generally occurs over a 30 min -1 hour time frame. This is done in the mornings that you choose. When not taking the salt water flush use of the herbal laxative tea is needed.
- Peppermint Tea- Used for aid with bad breath/ mouth flavors, to help with cramping and or nausea, and is a soothing drink that can be a “pick me up” that helps break up the monotony of the other drinks. If nausea persists one can take ginger tea as well.
Why is the cayenne in capsules?
We offer cayenne in capsules for two reasons. One is that they are very convenient and can be carried in your pocket and they can be broken open into each glass of lemonade. It is ideal to put the cayenne into to the mix as herbs start working in the mouth and trigger responses in the body.
We also use capsules in our kits as some people can not seem to do the cleanse because of their intolerance to anything spicy. We want everyone to be able to deal with all the ingredients so for you folks, the capsules can be swallowed.
The Master Cleanse Fast is possibly the most cost effect diets around and will generally save you money over your normal eating expense. We buy in large quantity and pass along savings and convenience to you. To our knowledge no store packages the kits but the separate ingredients can be obtained in stores. Often this will take trips to several stores, and if you don’t have a large whole food store then you may find trouble finding the Grade B Organic syrup, or even syrup in bulk packaging. Piecing together syrup by the pint size will be very costly. Even with the shipping charges on our Master Cleanse Kits, you will most likely find that we will save you money. We also offer expedited shipping if you are in a hurry. So you could buy elsewhere but why would you want to?
Where can I get answers to more questions?
First be sure that you have read the original Master Cleanser Book. The Complete Master Cleanse is also another book we sell that can answers even more questions. And finally we have links to several forums where just about every question has been asked and answered. You can type in your question into the search box on these forums and usually will instantly find an answer. The links to the several forums are located here.
Where can I find medical doctors and scientific studies on fasting?
In the U.S. one of the famous known doctors using fasting was Dr. Herbert Shelton, who fasted over 40,000 people, in Europe Dr. Otto Buchinger, Sr. fasted over 100,000 people! Here is a link to a listing of other’s quotes from famous people and from people in the medical community…. http://www.humblebeehealth.com/humble-bee-health/fasting-quotes
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