Bowel problems are a very uncomfortable subject, in more ways than one. No-one is particularly comfortable discussing anything bowel related, but constipation, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and piles are four of the most debilitating conditions. There are many different factors that can cause any of these, but one way to have a bit more control over your bowels is to undertake some colonic cleansing.

Colonic cleansing conjures up images of all sorts of tubes and bags of water and general cringe-worthyness all round. However this isn't the case, there are many clinics offering colonic cleansing and they are all highly trained professionals in their field, who will welcome you into their clean, neat comfortable treatment rooms which give the impression of being a beauty salon rather than a colonic irrigation centre. Cleansing is becoming more and more popular as people realise the importance of having a clean, well-functioning bowel. Without regular bowel movements we become sluggish and toxic, feeling unable to take on the world. It is our high paces lifestyles that have lead to much greater consumption of processed foods and fizzy drinks that lead to a toxic build-up on our colon walls, slowing down the digestion of our food and the absorption of our nutrients.

We can help our bodies without the need for full colonic irrigation, and if the thought really doesn't appeal to you then these simple foods can help you on your way to better bowel health.

Constipationis something everyone suffers from, and most of us will remember being given syrup of figs at some point in our d - the logic behind this is that both figs and prunes act as natural laxatives. Cooked cabbage or carrot juice can also offer great relief from constipation. Strawberries have a gentle laxative effect and are most useful when constipation is due to excess meat or fat in your diet.

Diarrhoea can be helped in many ways - rice pudding is one of the oldest remedies for diarrhoea and a home baked recipe is the best cure. Oats also have a calming effect on the bowel and starchy fluids tend to stop vomiting and reduce fluid loss - making a thick oatmeal drink can help greatly. Blueberries contain compounds called anthocyanosides which help control diarrhoea, so a spoonful in a bowl of porridge is a winner. Lastly but not leastly, grated apple that has been left to go brown, which means the pectin has oxidsed acts in the same way as many over the counter remedies.

IBS reacts very well to peppermint, so peppermint tea or chewing fresh peppermint if it grows in your garden. Potato's can help reduce stomach acid, so washing and dicing a large potato and leaving it to soak overnight in salt water will give you a good drink to have in the morning on an empty stomach. A two day diet of potatos will flush out toxins and waste from your body and can help purify the blood, but as with all diets you should not undertake this without speaking to your doctor first.

All of these remedies can help you with colon cleansing and allow you to maintain regular bowel activity and a healthy colon. Of course there is always the option of full colonic cleansing should you find you are suffering repeatedly from any of the above ailments, despite trying the remedies.