If you are considering a longer liquid fast or are curious what a ten day lemon juice fast can do for you, read on. It is especially helpful to relieve sinusitis and congestion symptoms.
If you have followed me for some time, you know I am deeply into universal numerology. And 8 (2+6) stands for healing and purification, whilst the 6 includes the lungs. So you could say it was rather uncanny that in the beginning of January, I ended up with a bad case of sinusitis that affected my breathing to the point that that I coughed until I vomited. That took me back to my asthmatic days when this was more the norm; countless pneumonias, bronchitis and sinusitis in the winter season. However, once I changed my diet these frequent infections stopped. At that point, I ate very clean foods and rarely touched sugar.
So the obvious conclusion was that I needed to tidy up my diet, which I got slack on at some point. Coming into perimenopause also certainly affected my immunity and weight. Somehow, quite a few extra kilos just got added without me eating or living differently. So I also wanted to shed the extra weight, improve metabolism and return to a more comfortable weight.
Though as I was struggling to breathe, purging over a bucket, sweating it out, with a very foggy mind – all symptoms suggesting the body was trying to release toxins; it was super clear that I needed to commit to more sustainable health habits and to stop the bad habits. The lack of motivation that disappeared at the beginning of perimenopause, returned with a major ignition.
It was time for a major detox.
As it were, a friend who is a herbalist had just recommended a master cleanse. I had also just prayed for better health and then chanted a very sacred mantra for 24 hrs. So this didn’t seem like a coincidence. Since, I had lost my appetite due to the sinusitis, vomited for days and mostly consumed liquids anyways, I thought if there was ever a chance of me trying a longer liquid fast being a primarily pitta person that hungers for food, this was it.
The master cleanse
One of the main benefits of the master cleanse that was developed by Stanley Burroughs, is that it is supposed to get rid of mucus and toxins in the body. At the same time it also cleanses the colon, and is also good for weight loss and getting rid of fat in the body, to mention some benefits. Win-win.
The cleanse consists of drinking lemon juice with equal amounts of maple syrup and lemon with a pinch of cayenne pepper for a minimum of 10 days. To help eliminate what is being released by the lemonades, you start the day with a salt water flush, a so-called internal enema, that flushes the colon. In the evening you drink a laxative tea. Other than that you drink 6-12 glasses daily, you are allowed water and the occasional mint tea.
To my surprise, the lemonade tasted quite deliciously, and it kept me full. That was the main surprise. I never ended up drinking more than 6 glasses of 2,5 dl at any given day.
As I started, I could feel my mucus and congestion in the nose and lungs clear up in a few days. My thinking got noticeably clearer, I felt more alive and energetic. I could feel the liquids recharging me, and it was clear to me that I had been dehydrated – and that I needed to keep drinking more even after the fast.
I did feel colder than normal, more physically weak and a bit more tired, so I made sure to rest more.
Day 3 was definitely the worst. I was craving food I thought; or was that really what I was craving? I was majorly irritated and emotional. I noticed how much of my thoughts centred around food in an almost obsessive way. As in, what cafes to chill in where I was going or what I could eat, except I couldn’t.. I had my lemon juice in a bottle. In addition my sense of smell had improved immensely at this stage, so I was increasingly being drawn by good smells.
All the thoughts that had previously gone to planning what to eat, and time to cook – was no longer needed.
That was quite liberating, and a bit scary as it left a vacuum. Instead of trying to fill the space, I did my best to sit with the current moment. When I noticed I wanted to be in the future; at the end of the cleanse, I pulled myself back to the current moment. When deeper emotions came, which is a natural part of cleansing I did my best to sit with those to.
I also added some meditations to support myself emotionally through the cleanse as well as to stabilise myself. Aiming for this cleanse to be a major reset to a cleaner eating; to really prioritise what I eat to keep my prana vital.
I noticed that my thinking cleared up quickly, it was like a major fog lifted. I had more clarity, significantly so and had major insights as to where I want to go, what to-do-list. I also decluttered my space significantly and ticked off many activities from my to-do-list. In fact, I felt the cleanse almost made my mind a bit too active; a bit too pitta, as well as lacking concentration towards the end so I had to really focus on not overdoing doing. However, this effect as well as feeling physically weak and a bit sicker towards the end; I also realised that it was time to ease back on food after 10 days.
Conclusion
So what are my conclusions? That it is a great reset. Though after easing back on foods with orange juice and vegetable broths, I sensed not having bowel movements for such a long time was a bit of a shock to my system. So whilst I may do this cleanse again, I prefer to continue with a cleaner diet over a longer period (for life really) where I will allow myself to have sugar, wheat or dairy for a certain amount of time each week/month rather than go cold-turkey. To ensure that there is a slower and smoother easing into eating for good health.
Thanks to the master cleanse, I was in a good place to do just that. And to make sure I stayed, I planned the meals for the week following the cleanse. That was a great help.
So what did the 10 day master cleanse do for me:
- mental clarity increased a lot
- weight loss (5-6 kg)
- increased vitality
- less mucus and congestion
- improved lung capacity
- significantly less tension and stress in the body, especially the muscles
- improved my nervous system
- insights about my digestion and relationship to food
- less body fat
- increased water percentage
- increased muscle percentage
- colon cleansed; feeling lighter
- feeling physically weak
- improved digestion as well as awareness of digestive issues
- softer hair and cleaner skin
Though towards the end of the cleanse, it really felt like my colon had been flushed and emptied out. I was quite pleasantly surprised by how so much of the tension in my body was gone and how much easier it was to keep up with my yoga practice. It really shows how important nourishment is.
I also understood the meaning of the 8 sequence; how once you start purifying your life in any way it gives you more clarity, peace and the right action. I really realised that I don’t need to eat as much as I think to get energy. That less is more. Which is in complete line with yogic wisdom that says you have to reduce food as you get older to help with aging gracefully.
What now?
I am continuing to eat clean. That being having vegetable soups and dals, and homemade foods. Staying off wheat, yeast, dairy, sugar and processed foods as much as I can. Slowly transforming my daily habits, one by one, to help release toxins and support my liver and kidneys. The internal salt flushes is definitely a great tool that I will keep doing every now and then.
The master cleanse functioned as a great reset for me and delivered what it promised. Paving the way for purer eating habits and better prana.
Bliss kundaliniyoga 