I want to start by saying that everything I am sharing in this post is from my own experience. Each person is unique. What works or may have benefits for one person may be detrimental to another. Keep that in mind as you continue to read this post. This blog post is not medical advice.
Now that we have that out of the way lets chat salt water flushes!
WHAT EXACTLY IS A SALT WATER FLUSH
Salt water flushing has been around for a long time but is being talked about a lot more recently. The basics of a salt water flush are you consume a large quantity of salty water in a short period which results in an emptying of the bowels.
When you consume a large quantity of warm saltwater it has a laxative effect and helps to cleanse the colon and draw out toxins. This may sound very unpleasant but typically you won’t get a stomach ache or cramping. You will just have a feeling of urgency to use the bathroom. How many times you have to use the bathroom is specific to each person and could be different each time you do a flush. So, don’t flush on a day when you have plans.
QUALITY MATTERS
The quality of the salt and water you consume for a flush is critical. You want to use a high-quality salt like Redmond Real Salt which contains trace minerals. The water you use should be filtered or spring. You do not want to use iodized salt or tap water.
If the thought of drinking straight salt water seems unbearable you can add the juice from one organic lemon to help offset the taste.
BENEFITS AND RISKS
Benefits of salt flushes include improved digestion, relief of acute constipation, and a reduction in bloating. Some also report it helps to improve skin issues and even chronic pain.
As with anything there can be risks and not every person will have a positive experience with a saltwater flush. So, you need to speak to your doctor before trying one. If you have high blood pressure, chronic digestive issues, kidney issues, or any other serious medical condition you should avoid salt water flushes. Also, if you are pregnant or nursing salt water flushes are not appropriate.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FLUSH
How often you do one is up to you. I do a flush a few times a year at most. I like to do them the first day of an extended water fast or after a vacation when I have consumed things I typically don’t. You definitely don’t want to be flushing every week or even every month. Too much of anything is not good.
READY TO GIVE IT A TRY
If you feel flushing is right for you and you have talked to your doctor and want to give it a try keep reading.
RECIPE:
- 2 teaspoons of high-quality non-iodized salt. I recommend Real Salt by Redmonds, Pink Himalayan, or Celtic Sea Salt.
- 1 quart (four cups) warm filtered or spring water
- Optional: Freshly squeezed lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
- A salt water flush should be completed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Heat the water so that it is warm enough to dissolve the salt but not so hot that it would burn your throat. If needed you can always let it sit to cool a bit if it gets too hot. However, you want the water to be warm when you drink it.
- In a large jar add water and salt and mix or shake until the salt is fully dissolved. When you are using salt such as Redmond Real Salt there will be some sediment on the bottom of the glass. This is the trace minerals in the salt which won’t dissolve. The body will still be able to use these minerals so drink up.
- Add lemon if you like. I go without.
- Now here is the hard part. You want to drink the entire 4 cups as fast as you can. Five minutes at most should be the goal. Before you start drinking look at the clock and then pace yourself to make sure you drink it all within that time.
- Once you have finished drinking all the salt water all that is left to do is wait. It can be helpful to lay on one side and massage your stomach for 10-15 min and then flip to the other side and repeat. I also find walking around is helpful vs. sitting down. You want to hold the saltwater in for at least 30 minutes before going to the bathroom. Know that it could take an hour or longer before experiencing anything. For me, it takes much longer than 30 min so just be patient as everyone’s body is different.
TIME TO WAIT IT OUT
At some point either within 30 min or longer, you will feel the urge to go to the bathroom. How many times you go until your colon is fully emptied is specific to you. It may be a few hours before you finally stop needing to go to the bathroom so don’t do a flush on a day when you have plans. Instead, complete the flush on a day when you have a clear calendar.
POST FLUSH
Post flush you want to focus on consuming organic, whole foods, as well as probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods. If you need more info on this you can find an article here. When you flush your colon you can flush out good bacteria along with the bad so it’s important to rebuild the good bacteria in your gut and feed it.
Salt water flushes can be a beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind they are not a quick fix for anything. There are many videos of people sharing that they have lost upwards of 10lbs after a salt water flush. While a flush can certainly result in a drop of weight on the scale I would not recommend you do one solely for weight loss. Quick fixes for weight loss are never a healthy option. However, if you are kicking off a weight loss journey, starting to eat clean, feeling bloated and sluggish, or planning to do an extended fast they can be a great option.
Have you tried a saltwater flush or do you have questions? Please share in the comments section below.
In Love, Heath + Gratitude
Katie
All of the information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. The information on this site is not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, and cure a disease or medical condition. By reading this website you acknowledge responsibility for your own medical decisions.