...I'll add my thoughts for consideration.

First, read, or reread this:
http://www.plim.org/drSchulze2001BowelNewsletter.htm

Dr Schulze 2001 Bowel Newsletter

It contains VERY important information that you and your doctor within really (really!) NEED to know! If you have the time/chance, why don't you post for everybody what you found most impactful (???)

When Dr. Schulze was practicing, we need to remember that many times he was dealing with people MUCH sicker than any of us will likely ever be. He called them "the walking dead", because they were terminally ill, and were still walking around long after the doctors said they would/should be dead. THESE were sensitive people.

I don't want you to think I disagree with Raider's choice or his statement (about it being too harsh for him, after a time). I hope he either achieved 3bms daily or found something he could take that ensure that he did.

But for ALL newbies (not just you, tierra) to know & remember what to expect is very important. These herbs contain a substance called emodin (at least a few of the herbs in the capsules do) - technically, the reason why it works is because they are a slight irritant to the intestinal walls. The colon wants them off of it, so the colon starts squeezing to make that happen. YAY, this is what makes our colon squeeze & strengthen, and makes us poop more. But this squeezing is something we're not used to - and sometimes folks feel a bit crampy in the lower regions. And because there's cayenne in there too, it can burn on the way out (something, that like the cayenne powder/tincture, it doesn't take long to stop feeling).

So you're going to be stimulating muscles that aren't used to being exercised that much - and you're also going to be loosening up a LOT of "yuck" (that gives off gas). Once you've started the IF#2 (after you've achieved 3+ bms with the IF#1), the IF#2 will soak up the majority of that "yuck" and the toxins/gas, but until you start the IF#2 (and get adjusted to it), everything may seem pretty disturbed down there. That is NORMAL! That's not your doctor within telling you it's harmful, it's your doctor within telling you it's working. Of course, any major adverse reaction shouldn't be "blown off" - if you have questions/concerns, be sure to ask asap.

When you start taking the IF#2, it's "bulky". I always suggest taking a dose (a heaping teaspoon) and mixing it with about 1/3 cup of water...and then let it sit on the counter for at least 4 hours, so you can see what it does, and what it's doing in your intestinals. It swells, it gets very slimey/sticky...so you may feel heaviness or bulkiness in your intestines. It's also good to mix some and look at it so you can see what color it is...so you'll know when you do your daily "poop inspecting" what you're actually seeing the toilet. (yes, it's important to be a very thorough Poop Inspector! lol). We're being our OWN doctors now, and it's very important we use the basic tools that we have (and need to use).

How long will it take for you to achieve 3bms daily, or a bm after every meal? ??? is the answer, but for MANY people it takes a year or more. You can speed things up a variety of different ways.

--Get that liver open and flowing so lots of bile (our natural IF#1) is flowing through the intestines.
--Do as much juicing/juice fasting when doing the IF#2 as possible - the less food in there to interfere and 'dilute' the IF#2, the more effective it will be.
--Get a castor oil pack over your lower abdomen as often as you can (this is known to cleanse the bowel and improve/increase bowel activity)
--Cleanse for as long as you possibly can 'at one go'. One thirty day cleanse (with the IF#2) is FAR more beneficial than 3 10 days cleanses. Many times we just get things good and loosened up and ready to come off & out, and then we quit (argh). And when we start again days/weeks/later, what was loose has to be loosened all over again. (To me, that's a lot of work for not so much reward). It's okay to take a break (of course) but keep the cleansing going. Do some high enemas (or treat yourself to a colonic).
--When you take a break from the IF#1 (and sometimes the IF#2) you can get a bit of a "rebound" effect - the colon muscles are used to being stimulated and now the stimulant is gone (and the bulk of the IF#2) - so if you stop for a few days and it seems like you're constipated? That's NORMAL...just drink plenty of water/juices, and perhaps add a good ole dose of prune juice, and pretty soon your body will pick up it's own rhythm again. :)

Is there any reason to continue taking it? If you're juice fasting or doing any serious detoxing, the IF#2 (with it's activated charcoal & bentonite) will help adsorb the toxins being released, and help you feel better (and take the burden off your liver/kidneys).

Also, 'tis basically recommended that we all do some type of a maintenance cleanse, 4x yearly (on the solstice is nice). Recently (typical for the end of the winter, not as much outside activity, not as much fresh food, etc), I went from my normal 3 per day, back to 2 (and a couple of days, even 1 yikes!). And they started stinking again! P.U. Once you're colon is good n' clean and your diet is good? No more poop smell (YAY!). So Rocky53 n' me just finished a two week juice fast, and I did a TABLESPOON of IF#2 for each dose, rather than a heaping teaspoon. And for the first week, I added a teaspoon of activated charcoal (as I still detox heavily when juice fasting - I think it the fluoride from the 15 years on Prozac). Now I'm back to three (or more) nice odorless poops a day...and I feel SO much better.

You'll do fine - just learn lots and keep doing what is healthy!

Unyquity