The Lemonade Cleanse or "Master Cleanse": An Alternative to Dhauti

The Lemonade Cleanse or "Master Cleanse" is a popular cleanse for purifying the digestive track.  Many yoga practitioners have used this as an alternative for dhauti, one of the six Shatkarma purification practices outlined in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.  

You may have heard of the popular Lemonade Cleanse.  Beyonce publicly discussed her positive experience using the cleanse a few years ago and everyone became interested.  Long before this master cleanse went viral, yoga and ayurvedic practitioners have been using it to help clean the digestive track.  It's part of our Saucha, or purification, practices.

It's pretty simple to put together.  You'll need water, lemon, honey and cayenne pepper.  This cleanse is a great way to detox so that you can remove toxins from your system while improving overall digestion.  Within a week to ten days, you will notice that you're feeling detoxed and you have increased stamina.  Most people who try the cleanse describe the feeling as healthy and revitalized.  Here is the recipe:

The Lemonade Cleanse Also Known As Master Cleanse:

• 10 oz of water
• 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Drink this every day for 7-10 days, combining the cleanse with vitamin-rich superfoods.  Veggies and fruits are your friends while you're on the cleanse.  I usually drink mine first thing in the morning, but you can also drink it whenever you find yourself with cravings.  It can be pretty satisfying.  The cleanse also does not have to be done over a 7-10 day period.  You can use it whenever you want to purify the digestive tract of toxins.  

Does the Lemonade Cleanse aka Master Cleanse Really Work?

While the cleanse has been popular among celebrities, this cleanse could potentially cause problems if it's used with the wrong intentions.  We recommend using the cleanse to do what it is meant to do: purify.  This cleanse should not be used to lose weight.  If you are concerned about your weight, mindful eating is the way to go.  Using a cleanse as a quick diet can cause you more problems than anything.  Its effects won't last very long and you won't be getting the nutrition your body needs if you do this for an extended period of time.  

How does the Lemonade Cleanse aka Master Cleanse  Work?

The three ingredients in the cleanse, lemons, honey and cayenne pepper, all contain immune-boosting, anti-fungal and detoxification properties.  Lemon juice and honey are both helpful in improving digestion, ridding the body of bacteria and purifying the body's systems.  They support healthy liver and kidney function and rid these organs of toxins.  Cayenne pepper aids in digestion and assists with regulating blood sugar levels.  When combined, this is a healthy cleanse that can be a great substitution for dhauti!