Traditional Medicine vs Modern Medicine

The Master Cleanse is a 10-day fast that is used for detox and weight loss purposes. It has also been called the Master Cleanser Diet after the original book that described it, the Lemonade Diet, the Maple Syrup Diet, and the Cayenne Pepper Diet after some of the ingredients used, and the Beyoncé Diet after its most famous fan. Stanley Burroughs The Master Cleanse was originally developed in 1940 as a stomach ulcer cure by alternative health practitioner Stanley Burroughs (1903-1991). Glickman’s book revived the diet’s popularity. Neither Burroughs nor Glickman was a physician or medical researcher. Burroughs promoted a number of alternative practices beyond the Master Cleanse, including light therapy, deep massage, and reflexology, and he was a practicing nudist and vegetarian. Moses and Jesus both reportedly underwent a pre-Burroughs 40-day version of the diet, not involving lemonade or laxatives. Not recommending the diet is rocker Eddie van Halen, who nearly died when his “intestines exploded” during the Master Cleanse, according to the National Enquirer. Does the diet work for weight loss? As an example, if you normally eat 2,150 calories, and you choose the extreme 650-calorie version of the Master Cleanse, you will have a 1,500-calorie deficit, losing three pounds of fat per week (and perhaps some water weight also). Many reputable diets prescribe a two-pound per week loss, so in this sense the Master Cleanse is actually not that radical: it just substitutes lemonade for real food and adds the shock effect of constant colon cleansing. Master Cleanse Dangers Most medical authorities don’t believe that a few days of fasting will harm you (and the Master Cleanse is more of a low-calorie, nutrient deficient diet than a fast). There’s no evidence that our bodies contain excessive toxins of the sort Burroughs discusses, and there’s no evidence that detox diets flush out anything bad in your body. How to Do the Master Cleanse In a nutshell, the Master Cleanse is this: The only nourishment that you take is a special lemonade concoction made from the Master Cleanse ingredients: lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water, six to twelve glasses per day, each glass containing about 110 calories in sugar carbohydrates Buy Master Cleanse Master Cleanse kits are available from Peter Glickman, Coombs, Neera, and Maple Valley Syrup. The Master Cleanse Lemonade 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice. Burroughs recommends organic lemons, fresh, not bottled juice. 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Water. Burroughs recommends a 10-ounce glass of medium hot water, but also allows cold water to be used. Since Burroughs also allows plain water to be drunk during the fast in addition to the lemonade, this doesn’t seem important. An alternative to the lemonade endorsed by Burroughs substitutes 10 ounces of fresh sugarcane juice for the lemon juice and water. Burroughs allows the consumption of extra plain water and of mint tea. No other food or drink should be consumed at all, say both Burroughs and Glickman. Laxative herb tea. Internal salt water bathing solution. During the Diet Purchase lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, laxative herbal tea, and sea salt in sufficient quantities to last the duration of your cleanse. The night before beginning the diet, drink some laxative herbal tea, and retire for the evening. In the morning before drinking any lemonade, drink a quart of salt water (remain near a toilet). During the day drink 6 to 12 glasses of the Master Cleanse lemonade concoction. The lower number of 6 glasses is recommended for those seeking weight loss. In the evening drink some herbal laxative tea. Post Diet: Breaking the Fast Burroughs outlines a gentle approach for coming off the diet without upsetting your digestive system excessively. Vegetarian Transition Process Day 3: Drink orange juice in the morning, eat raw fruit for lunch, and eat fruit or raw salad for dinner. Day 1: Drink several 8-ounce glasses of orange juice, sipping slowly, diluting it if there is digestive distress. Day 4 and beyond: You may return to your normal diet, but Burroughs recommends continuing to drink the lemonade concoction at breakfast on a permanent basis. Master Cleanse Recipe: The Omnivore Vegetarian Soup Ingredients: 1 green pepper, diced 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon salt Protein and the Master Cleanse The Master Cleanse provides several hundred calories of carbohydrate per day in the form of lemon and maple sugar, and Burroughs’ recommended vegetarian diet excludes “toxic dead animal flesh.” Master Cleanse Alternatives There are other cleanses out there, and many dieters spend time looking into the Master Cleanse vs. water fast, Master Cleanse vs. juice fast, and Master Cleanse vs. Colonix. Beyond the Master Cleanse Quotations from Stanley Burroughs Stanley Burroughs: 1903-1991

Bauhinia forficata and Myrcia uniflora 

Bauhinia forficata grows in South America, and is used in Brazilian herbal cures. This plant has been referred to as ‘vegetable insulin'. Myrcia uniflora is also widely employed in South America. Studies utilising the herbs as tea infusions suggest that their hypoglycaemic effects are overrated.

Coccinia Indica ( Coccinia grandis  )

Coccinia indica is also known as the ‘ivy gourd’ and grows wild across the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally employed in ayurverdic remedies, the herb has been found to contain insulin-mimetic properties (i.e; it mimics the function of insulin). Significant changes in glycaemic control have been reported in studies involving coccinia indica, and experts believe that it should be studied further.

Ficus carica ( Ficus carica L )

Ficus carica, or fig-leaf, is well known as a diabetic remedy in Spain and South-western Europe, but its active component is unknown. Some studies on animals suggest that fig-leaf facilitates glucose uptake. The efficacy of the plant is, however, still yet to be validated in the treatment of diabetes.

Ginseng  ( Panax L )

Ginseng is a collective name for a variety of different plant species. In some studies utilising American ginseng, decreases in fasting blood glucose were reported. Varieties include Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng, American ginseng and Japanese ginseng. In some fields the plant, particularly the panax species, are hailed as ‘cure-all.’ As is the case with many of the herbs employed around the world in the treatment of diabetics, further long-term studies are needed to verify the efficacy of ginseng. 

Gymnema sylvestre ( Gymnema sylvestre R )

Gymnema sylvestre is also employed in traditional ayurverdic medicine. The plant grows in the tropical forests of southern and central India, and has been linked with significant blood glucose lowering. Some studies in animals have even reported regeneration of islet cells and an increase in beta-cell function. 

Momordica charantia

Momordica Charantia goes under a variety of names and is native to some areas of Asia, India, Africa and South America. Marketed as charantia, it is also known as karela or karolla and bitter melon. The herb may be prepared in a variety of different ways, and may be able to help diabetics with insulin secretion, glucose oxidation and other processes. Acute effects on blood glucose levels have also been reported.

Ocimum sanctum  ( Ocimum tenuiflorum L )

Ocimum sanctum is an herb employed in traditional ayurverdic practises, and is commonly known as holy basil. A controlled clinical trial showed a positive effect on postprandial and fasting glucose, and experts predict that the herb could enhance the functioning of beta cells, and facilitate the insulin secretion process. 

Opuntia streptacantha 

Opuntia streptacantha (nopal) is commonly known as the prickly-pear cactus in the arid regions where it grows. Inhabitants of the Mexican desert have traditionally employed the plant in glucose control. Intestinal glucose uptake may be affected by some properties of the plant, and animal studies have found significant decreases in postprandial glucose and HbA1c. Once again, to validate the prickly-pear cactus as an effective means of aiding diabetic patients, long-term clinical trials are needed.

Silibum marianum

Silibum marianum is also known as milk thistle, and is a member of the aster family. Silymarin contains high concentrations of flavinoids and antioxidants, some of which may have a beneficial effect on insulin resistance. The role of milk thistle in glycaemic control is little understood. Trigonella foenum graecum Trigonella foenum graecum is known as fenugreek and is widely grown in India, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean. It is also a part of Ayurverdic treatment, and is used extensively in cooking. Of the few non-controlled trials that have been carried out on type 2 diabetics, most report improved glycaemic control. Further study is certainly warranted. Further herbs that have been studied, and may have positive effects for diabetic patients include:

• Berberine Cinnamomym tamala 
• Curry Eugenia jambolana 
• Gingko 
• Phyllanthus amarus 
• Pterocarpus marsupium 
• Solanum torvum and Vinca rosea