Manufacturers of natural colon cleansers are quick to point out that chemical cleanser or synthetic products contain harsh ingredients which can cause allergic reactions, defeat the purpose of removing artificial substances from the body in the first place, and by and large do not work as well as the substances that are time honored by our ancestors.

Up to now there was precious little documentation that proved these claims to be incorrect, and thus far they stood and even became part of the collective subconscious. In recent months, however, the word has leaked out that natural colon cleansers are not always what they are cracked up to be, and some of the most commonly included ingredients are actually not as safe, healthy and even natural as they are purported to be.

Take psyllium, for example, which is a staple in many a natural colon cleanse regimen. Sold in powders, caplets, tablets and a variety of other concoctions, psyllium husks add fiber to the diet to such an extent that an emptying of the colon is inevitable. Although water soluble, these husks cannot be digested by humans and as such act like brooms that will sweep out the colon and take with them anything in their paths. As such they are hailed as being the answer for anyone suffering form constipation, diarrhea, and any other gastrointestinal ailment that might call in question the regularity of the colon.

Purveyors of colon cleansers that do not tout their natural properties are now crying foul and citing instances when a natural colon cleanse makes you break out in hives. Psyllium, they assert, is not as safe a substance as has been claimed.

• Allergic reactions to the husks have been reported. They take the forms of hives, labored breathing, minor skin rashes, and intermittent itching.
• Esophageal problems have been noted that are usually related to ingesting psyllium husks without sufficient wetting agents. This may refer to choking, uncontrollable coughing, and also difficulty breathing.
• The absorption of vitamins and minerals is also thought to be somewhat inhibited with the presence of psyllium, since the intestines do not have the time needed to extract all these substances from the food sources prior to their being swept out of the colon.
• Most importantly, those who look to a colon cleanser for the relief of chronic constipation may find that psyllium actually adds to their constipation rather than relieves it simply because too much of the substance in too little liquid has been known to form an obstruction.

For these reasons it is always wise to discuss colon cleansers you consider undergoing with your physician. Take a bottle of the colon cleanser you will be using to your doctor's office and have her or him take a good look at the list of ingredients and then help you decide - in light of your medical history and with the help of the individual doctor's professional expertise and understanding - if the particular ingredients contained in the cleanser will be advantageous for you personally. When it comes to colon cleansers, one size does not fit all.