If we all ate a great diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, exercised, drank plenty of water and answered nature's call to eliminate promptly, we would have no need to talk about bowel detoxification and little need for products to accomplish it.

In our hectic lives, though, we often grab fast food, substitute a fatty latte for water and are too busy to tend to bathroom needs immediately. Our diet has too little fiber and many of us don't exercise on any regular basis, and our poor digestive systems suffer the consequences.

A sluggish bowel results in a build-up of mucoid plaque, and an unpleasant bloated feeling. A sensation of heaviness, queasiness and a real sense of being unwell may also be present. Some believe that toxins meant to be promptly eliminated can accumulate and poison the whole body. Obviously, we need some colon cleansing help.

An herbal colon cleanser can provide you with healthy, natural bowels, better digestion, and overall improved health. It could be exactly what you need. When you first start, you might need a strong mixture of herbs, but after a while you can switch to milder formulas that promotes daily health.

One thing found in nearly every herbal colon cleanser is fiber. Fiber is the bulk that stimulates the intestines to keep moving and comes in two types. One is insoluble fiber like wheat or rice bran and the fibers in some vegetables and fruits. The problem with too much insoluble fiber may be gas and discomfort, especially when a person is not used to it. It needs to be increased gradually.

Water soluble fiber is fiber that absorbs water and is gentler on your system than other types. This type of fiber can be found in oat bran, psyllium husk seeds, and other types of natural and herbal products. It latches on to fats and cholesterol and has been shown to be beneficial in combating heart disease. It also is less likely than other fibers to give you an upset stomach.

The other things in an herbal colon cleanser are herbs and extracts that stimulate the muscles in the intestines to contract, which moves the waste products along the tract and out of the body. Herbal stimulants can be just as effective as chemical laxatives and may be better tolerated. Senna and cascara sagrada are common stimulant herbs.

Some herbal colon cleanser products may common in more than one formula. One is for getting started and is stronger and more aggressive at cleaning out the bowels. Some may be combined with various colon irrigation methods as well. The second product is designed to keep things normal once the bowels have been 'turned on' and started to work more normally. They usually contain a bulk forming soluble fiber.

Always check with your doctor to be certain that an herbal product is safe and appropriate for you. Whichever product you choose, be certain to drink plenty of water and to answer that call whenever nature says it is time to 'go'!