In the spring of 2014, I found myself on my knees again, begging God for a solution to my 20 years of chronic illness. I was housebound, weak, exhausted, in pain and feeling very discouraged. I had tried several different treatments for Lyme Disease but nothing kept me in remission. Parasites and terrible gut health were a never-ending problem. I knew that Dr. Hulda Clark’s Bowel Cleanse was the place to start. This is an amazing cleanse that has worked well for me and for several others to whom I have recommended it. I decided to follow the following order for cleansing – with bowel first, followed by a parasite cleanse and finally, Buhner’s Protocol for Lyme Disease and co-infections. This progression made the most logical sense to me. I modified Dr. Clark’s bowel cleanse and added in the herbs milk thistle and dandelion root for liver support (I was having some liver pain and felt that I just needed this extra help). I also used magnesium citrate instead of magnesium oxide, but both will work.
“Death begins in the colon.”
Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C.
It is a known fact that 70% of our immune system lies within the intestinal tract. Bacteria enter the GI tract and bowel mainly through food and water, and can disrupt the delicate intestinal flora. Dr. Clark mentions that bowel disorders are always connected to bacteria. Harmful enteric bacteria can then invade other parts of the body and colonize a trauma site or a weakened organ. The Dr. Clark Bowel Program was together in order to remove harmful enteric bacteria. Many people report that after following this bowel cleanse program, they no longer suffer from constipation or conversely, from diarrhea; their minds are clearer and their bellies flat. The Clark bowel cleanse program was designed to help eliminate salmonella, shigella, e. coli, clostridium and other harmful intestinal bacteria. To do this, Dr. Clark used the following herbs and supplements:
TUMERIC AND FENNEL SEEDS
Possess anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Used for the treatment of digestive disorders such as flatulence and bloating. In this bowel program, turmeric and fennel seeds are used to remove shigellas and Escherichia coli.
BETAINE HYDROCHLORIDE
For removing clostridium from the intestinal tract.
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Break down components of food so that they can be taken up by the organism. They minimize the presence of undigested food particles which can aggravate a sensitive or leaky gut.
CASCARA SAGRADA
Gentle laxative for those who are constipated, restores tone to smooth muscle of bowel wall.
LUGOL’S IODINE
Essential trace element for formation of hormones of the thyroid gland. Antioxidant and removes free radicals. In Dr. Clark’s bowel program it removes salmonellas.
BLACK WALNUT TINCTURE
To remove parasites, particularly intestinal flukes.
HOT CUP OF WATER UPON RISING AND MAGNESIUM OXIDE
For constipation.
MY BOWEL CLEANSE CHART
For three weeks:
| Morning | Breakfast | Lunch | Supper | |
| Buy powdered bulk herbs and mix the following together. | ||||
| Equal Parts turmeric, fennel, dandelion and milk thistle* | 1 tspn | 1 tspn | 1 tspn | |
| Digestive enzymes with meals | 1 cap | 1 cap | 1 cap | |
| Black walnut tincture * | 1 tsp | |||
| Betaine hydrochloride with meals | 2 caps | 2 caps | 2 caps | |
| Cascara Sagrada (in case of constipation) | 1- 2 caps | |||
| Hot glass of water | 1-2 cups | |||
| Magnesium citrate or oxide | 1 cap | 1 cap | 1 cap | |
| Lugol’s iodine (do not take if allergic) * | 6 drops | 6 drops | 6 drops | 6 drops |
*Away from food – 1 or 2 hours
Mix the herbs, black walnut tincture and Lugol’s into a glass of water and follow with another glass of water.
Dr. Clark warns that it can take all of the above and the full 21 days to remove a serious enteric bacterial load.
Note* – I did the full 21 days of this bowel cleanse before I started the parasite cleanse.
Constipation
If you are constipated, take the herb Cascara Sagrada. Start with one capsule a day, use up to maximum on label. Take extra magnesium (300 mg. magnesium oxide powder or citrate two or three a day), and drink a cup of hot water (flavored is fine) upon rising in the morning. This will begin to regulate your elimination. Constipation is usually caused by clostridium botulinum, which makes its own chemicals in the colon to inhibit the neurotransmitters controlling smooth muscle contraction – the normal driving force for intestinal movement there. Use betaine hydrochloride capsules, two to three with each meal, to keep Clostridium out of your colon. Constipation can also be caused by other bowel bacteria. Certain drugs such as morphine or similar painkillers as well as certain antidepressants produce constipation as a side-effect. While doing the bowel cleanse, it is important to expel bowel contents at least once a day…if necessary, with an enema.
Laxative Dependence
I used cascara sagrada regularly for over 4 years. I had to, as I was so severely constipated. It is really critical to move the bowels daily either with the use of cascara sagrada or with enemas. If the body cannot eliminate its contents daily, it will become extremely toxic with active infections and dying pathogens. I am happy to report that I am not dependent on anything to have regular bowel movements each day. I was very concerned about becoming laxative-dependent, but once my gut flora levels were corrected to a healthy balance and nutrient levels restored, constipation was no longer an issue.
Upon completion of this cleanse, I noticed immediately that my sugar cravings had significantly decreased and constipation much improved. I knew I still had a long way to go and that the other infections would have to be treated. I was also severely magnesium deficient, anemic and experiencing the effects of a low functioning thyroid, all of which will contribute to constipation. To address these issues, I began adding magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate, fish oil, dessicated liver pills and kelp to my diet. I continue taking all of these as part of my maintenance protocol, now that I have recovered.
I still use the liver/bowel herbs (turmeric/fennel/dandelion/milk thistle mix) on occasion when I travel, if I run into intestinal issues. I find this mix does a great job of resolving intestinal upsets within a day or two.
Once I completed this bowel cleanse, I was careful to maintain a daily intake of homemade fermented foods. These offset the effects of the Lugol’s iodine, which I knew would be hard on the beneficial intestinal flora. The addition of fermented foods was an important part of the next steps I took to healing my gut. You can read more about them here.
Here is an article that details everything that I have done to recover completely from bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, PTSD, major anxiety disorder and lyme disease and co-infections.
If you are interested in booking a consult, please go to this page for nutritional therapy and hair analysis.
Blessings and Best of Health!
Brenda♥
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Faith says
March 24, 2016 at 3:35 pmHi Brenda – thank you again for continuing to share what you did to get to remission. i’m taking mental notes of everything and am learning so much! May God continue to bless you
Faith says
March 24, 2016 at 3:36 pmp.s. i’m going to do a mineral test soon and am looking forward to finding out more exactly what i need instead of just “shooting in the dark” with all of this.
Marketa says
March 27, 2016 at 2:22 pmDear Brenda,
Many thanks for this wonderful post. Very helpful, as always.
I have a couple of questions, related to the above mentioned protocol:
1/ Fennel, turmeric, dandelion and milk thistle mix – do you mean fennel and milk thistle seeds, curcumin powdered and dandelion root? I know dandelion comes in variety forms ( leaves, full plant, root only), therefore asking.
2/ Lugol’s solution – what % have you been taking – I have Lugol’s 5% at home
3/ Is HCl a must? My son and I have been taking it and our breath stank rotten fish, it was absolutely horrendous.
Thansk again and wishes of Happy Easter:-)
Brenda Cosentino says
March 28, 2016 at 4:30 pm1) The herbs are all in powder form. Fennel seed powder, milk thistle seed powder and dandelion root powder.
2) The Lugol’s that I used was 2%.
3) I took the betaine hcl with meals
Best Always! Happy Easter!
Marketa says
March 30, 2016 at 2:56 amDear Brenda,
Very kind of you to reply to all my questions.
I have one additional still , if I may – would you consider this bowel cleanse regimen safe option for a 9-year child, that has been suffering gut disbiosis and malabsorbtion his whole life? I think that powdered herbs are rather safe to use and I could capsule them for him, but what abour black walnut tincture?
Many thanks, as always!
Brenda Cosentino says
April 2, 2016 at 8:59 pmMarketa I really think children should work with an ND. It is always better to improve diet and introduce probiotics to improve the gut microbiome.
theMotoMan says
April 17, 2016 at 10:15 pmHow did you get your diagnosis of Lyme? Western Blot blood test? I have heard Lyme tests give lots of false negatives and I have had a couple of them and am still searching for answers.
Brenda Cosentino says
May 1, 2016 at 10:51 amI received a clinical diagnoses using detailed history, symptoms and energetic testing. Lyme and parasite tests are notoriously inaccurate so I decided not to waste money that I didn’t have for those.
Sunshine says
April 23, 2016 at 10:46 amHi Brenda,
1 tspn is teaspoon or tablespoon?
Brenda Cosentino says
April 28, 2016 at 5:21 pmYes 1 tspn is teaspoon.
Ylinda says
April 24, 2016 at 8:57 amDear Brenda,
Which digestive enzymes did you take?
There are so many of them and I simply don’t know which one to order.
Many thanks,
Linda
Brenda Cosentino says
May 1, 2016 at 9:43 amI have used many different kinds. Currently I am using Digestive Enzymes Ultra by Pure Encapsulations. If money is tight try the Super Enzymes by Now. I used those for a few years.
Marketa says
April 27, 2016 at 4:46 amDear Brenda,
I have been on week 1 of this bowel cleanse.
I like the taste of herbal mixture, fennel gives it a really nice sweet tang to it:-)
I have a question though – is it common to experience some intestinal cramping when taking theses cleansing herbs?
Every time I take a dose, I get really strong, painful cramps on lower region of my stomach. I can manage, the cramps ususallty last only a minut ot two but they took me by surprise.
Is it possible herbs are working like this or do they annoy “the bad guys in the gut” and these act out on me?
Many thanks for any experience shared.
Brenda Cosentino says
April 30, 2016 at 9:27 amI can only share from my own experience. When the worms die they release endotoxins that produce many unpleasant symptoms. I had intestinal upset on many occasions. Plus many other symptoms. It depends what types of parasites you are killing and the degree of infestation. Everyone will be different. Stir through the stool to see what you are eliminating.
Blessings!
Suzanne says
May 31, 2016 at 9:45 amThe Black Walnut Tincture I have it as a powder. Can you create a tincture from this or should i buy a premade tincture. If i can use the powder how much should i use
Brenda Cosentino says
June 25, 2016 at 5:09 pmHi- It is best to make tincture from fresh whole green black walnuts. There are several youtube videos available on how to make tinctures. We make it with fresh walnuts. I also use the powder in my dewormer. Both work very well.
Blessings!
Jen says
July 2, 2016 at 7:53 pmHi Brenda- I’ve divinely stumbled upon your website and am overjoyed to hear of your remission! Thank you for the plethora of valuable information.
I’m working with a ND and began an anti microbial Lyme protocol in February. My diet was already clean. I have developed methane SIBO, which I hear can be common when treating. It is frustrating as now my diet is limited. I have suffered from chronic constipation since I was at least 5 years old.
My ND would like for me to continue with the protocol, but my intuition said to stop and research. That is how I found your site.
I am now only able to eat a little SCD/low fermentable broth(no onions, garlic or other veggies added that increase symptoms) and deseeded cucumbers and zucchini to keep the bloating to a minimum and my mind clear.
I currently take Betaine HCL 680mg, Ox Bile, digestive enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, and some herbs to keep depression/anxiety at bay. All SCD/hypoallergenic friendly.
I desperately want to begin the process that you have taken starting with Bowel cleanse. What’s your thoughts on how to heal with SIBO lingering?
Brenda Cosentino says
July 6, 2016 at 9:36 pmI had SIBO also. I was diagnosed 2 years before I was diagnosed with Lyme disease by a doc in Mexico. I should really write an article about it as many of us had/have it. Like all other chronic infections it was necessary to gently kill the pathogens, clean up the diet, change the terrain while introducing probiotics. It is a process that takes a long time. I just did the bowel cleanse, parasite cleanse and then Lyme herbals. There was a time I couldn’t eat onions or garlic because the die-off was so intense. I never really worried about the Sibo. I had so many other infections going on. I just took a shot-gun approach and it worked.
Best of Health!
Millieknox says
July 18, 2016 at 11:03 amHi there, can you tell me where you buy your bulk herbs? thanks!
Brenda Cosentino says
July 20, 2016 at 9:47 pmHi Millieknox – I buy most herbs from Mountain Rose, Monteagle Herbs in Canada and 1ST Chinese. Also Starwest Botanicals. Just google bulk organic herbs in Powdered form. Check what is available in your area.
Blessings!
gorgorita says
September 13, 2016 at 11:59 amHi Brenda.
Thank you so much for inspiring us that Lyme can be cured.
I want to start as you did with this cleanse, followed by parasite cleanse and then Buhner protocol.
I have a question about measurements. Dr. Clark has same or similar protocol where it calls for 1 capsule of each and you did 1 tspn. Is 1 capsule equals 1 tspn?
Also, should the water be warm or cold?
Thank you so much,
Rita
Brenda Cosentino says
September 28, 2016 at 10:57 pmThat is because I use the 4 bulk herbs that are mixed together. I have also added in the liver herbs which I found to be very helpful while cleansing the bowel. You can by all means use a cap of each if you prefer to use capsules.