So you want to do the master cleanse?!
I decided to put together this quick guide after having followed the cleanse a few times over the past decade. The master cleanse has allowed me to reset my eating habits, achieve more mental clarity, and release unwanted weight and patterns from my life. You can read more about that HERE.
I’m going to give you all the basics plus a few pro tips to help you move through the cleanse with ease.
MASTER CLEANSE RULES
The Master Cleanse was created by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs in the 1940’s. Originally, Burroughs created the cleanse to cure stomach ulcers and other digestive ailments. Over the years, it became a catchall detox program to help those who are feeling sluggish and would like more energy.
The rules of the Master Cleanse are simple:
STEP 1 – Select a 10 day window for your cleanse
STEP 2 – During that window consume only your cleanse “lemonade”, fresh water, and herbal tea (no other food or drink allowed)
STEP 3 – Complete a salt water flush each morning to move waste out of the body through your digestive tract
These 3 rules are easy to follow if you set yourself up for success. Now, let’s move onto what you’ll need to purchase for a successful cleanse.
MASTER CLEANSE SHOPPING LIST
You’ll need a few supplies to complete the cleanse. I suggest purchasing everything at once before you begin for one main reason. You’re less likely to waste the ingredients you’ve purchased and give up on the cleanse before it’s over.
In the past I’ve tried the buy as you go method of picking up materials for a few days as I needed them. Those efforts frequently left me with failure. My cravings for a snack would kick in before I’d make it to the store to get more goods.
However, there’s nothing like 10 pounds of lemons sitting in the fridge just waiting to be used to give you motivation to see it all the way through. Buying in advance is commitment.
For a 10 day cleanse you’ll want to have on hand:
- 20-25 pounds of fresh juicy lemons approx. (organic is best!)
- 3 liters of maple syrup
- regular sized container of cayenne pepper
- Regular sized container of sea salt
- 1 box (or 10 bags) of herbal laxative tea (Smooth Move is a great choice)
The largest cost comes from the fresh lemons and the maple syrup. You can save a little money by buying in bulk at your local Costco, farmers market (buy a whole case), or restaurant supply if they sell to individuals.
The cost of my last cleanse (in 2020) was as follows:
Lemons = $32.50 (25 pounds x $1.30 a pound)
Maple Syrup = $39.57 (3 Bottles x $13.19 a Liter)
Uniodized Sea Salt = $2.99 (1 container @ 30 ounces)
Cayenne Pepper = $3.98 ( 1 container @ 2.89 ounces)
Herbal Laxative Tea = $4.99 ( 1 box of 16 bags)
Total Spent For 10 Day Cleanse = $84.03 (plus tax)
My lemons, maple syrup, and salt came from from Costco. The cayenne pepper and tea came from Amazon.
Another item you might consider purchasing for your cleanse is a food scale. I use this simple food scale from Escali to weigh my ingredients to make sure I’m following the right proportions.
MASTER CLEANSE INGREDIENTS & RECIPE
The master cleanse recipe consist of:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons grade B maple syrup
- 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 10 ounces of fresh water
You can follow this for a single glass of lemonade. However, making single serving glasses throughout the day can take a little time. Or worse, you may be tempted to give into cravings or hunger pangs (which don’t always reflect a true need to eat) if you don’t have lemonade on hand at all times.
The recipe to make enough master cleanse lemonade to fit into a gallon container consist of:
- 10 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 10 ounces grade B maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 100 ounces of fresh water
Once made, you should store your lemonade in the fridge until your ready to drink it. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can also make your mixture without the cayenne and wait to add it to each glass. This will prevent your premixed from becoming super spicy.
SALT WATER FLUSH RECIPE
The salt water flush recipe consist of:
- 2 teaspoons (or 12 grams) of uniodized sea salt
- 1 quart (or 32 ounces) of warm fresh water
DO NOT USE IODIZED SALT. Make sure the sale is uniodized such as most sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. It needs to be raw and unprocessed.
You can make a fresh quart for your flush each morning when you wake up. It’s important to have the proper ratio of salt to water. An imbalance of too much or too little salt may not provide the “flushing” effect needed to clear your system.
It’s also important to drink the entire quart of salt water immediately. You don’t need to chug it, but get it down within a few minutes for the best results. If you find that the above ratio doesn’t produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to an hour, try using more or less salt until you find the right ratio for you.
A DAY ON THE MASTER CLEANSE
The master cleanse schedule is easy to follow.
Upon waking up complete the salt water flush. You’ll do this on a completely empty stomach before having any lemonade. After the flush has produced your first significant bowel movement you’re safe to drink a regular sized glass of fresh water.
Once your flush is complete you’ll go about your day as normal. It’s best to drink lemonade throughout the day as this will help regulate your appetite more effectively. If you’re hungry have some lemonade. You’ll can also drink fresh water as desired too.
At the end of your day, prior to bed, you’ll brew and drink a cup of the herbal laxative tea. This will help to encourage your colon to release any toxins or matter that it’s holding onto and in turn make your flush in the morning much more productive.
WHAT ABOUT THE BATHROOM?
One of the most common concerns about completing the master cleanse is what comes out. How frequently will you need to use the restroom? What should it look like? Should you have concerns? Etc…
The cleanse is… well it’s a cleanse. Most people will clear their colon of any remaining solid foods in a few days. After that, their bowel movements will be in the form of mostly liquid or mucous. This is normal.
It’s most important to stay near a restroom in the mornings after drinking the salt water flush. That is when your digestive system will be most active and productive. Many people are free to carry-on about their day as normal once the flush is complete.
As you start to ease out of the cleanse your bowel movements should return to their normal form, or improve if they were previously problematic.
This guide from TheMasterCleanse.org highlights what you should expect.
EASING OUT OF THE MASTER CLEANSE
Easing out of the master cleanse is a simple transition. Once done you can return to or kickstart healthier eating habits. You’ll want to be gentle on your system and work your way back to solid foods.
Day 1
Start working your way back to a regular diet with fresh squeezed orange juice. A few glasses on this day will do.
Day 2
Continue drinking orange juice but also incorporate a fully vegan vegetable soup. You’ll want to avoid meat, dairy, and high amounts of sodium. If you need a boost to satiate your hunger you can also add rice.
Day 3
Continue to enjoy your orange juice and soup, but also add in fresh green salads and fruit. This will introduce your system to easy to digest raw fruits and veggies.
Day 4
Resume a regular balanced and healthy diet. Your break from eating is likely to have reset your taste buds. You should find it easier to stay on track with foods that are filling and nutritious without tons of sugar, processing, and junk.
Disclaimer:
I’m just a regular person who has found success in using the Master Cleanse for my own personal use. Nothing I’ve shared has been evaluated by the (FDA) and this information is for educational purposes only. This is not health or medical advice and I am not suggesting you complete the Master Cleanse. Be smart. Use your own judgement as to whether or not this may work for you and consult your own doctor for advice before beginning any new program.
