The Master Cleanse Explained
The Master Cleanse (a.k.a.: The Lemonade Cleanse, the Lemonade Cleansing Diet, Lemon Juice Cleanse, Cayenne Pepper Cleanse)
What it is: The program is based on a book called “The Master Cleanser” published in 1941 by Stanley Burroughs (1903-1991). It is available on Amazon.com. In this small book Burroughs advocates a 1 to 40 day fast on a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper. Lemon juice is added to alkalize the body and balance electrolytes; maple syrup is added to maintain blood sugar levels and cayenne to dilate blood vessels to allow for easier circulation. This Lemonade Cleansing Diet has become especially popular in alternative health circles over the past 15 years.
The Recipe for the Master Cleanse or Lemonade Diet Drink:
- 2 tablespoons FRESH squeezed organic lemon or lime juice (approx. 1/2 lemon) – no canned or bottled juice!
- 2 tablespoons genuine organic maple syrup, Grade B (the darker the better) – some people use agave or raw honey instead of maple syrup
- 1/10 teaspoon (a small pinch!) cayenne pepper, gradually increase (the more BTUs the better)
- 300 – 500 ml (10-14 oz) pure water
How much to drink: Burroughs suggests that you drink as much of this cleansing drink as you like, sipping it throughout the day. In 
addition you should drink a minimum of 1.5 l (50 oz.) of pure distilled or spring water for every 45 kg (100 lbs.) of body weight.
How long to stay on this cleanse: Burroughs recommends staying on this fast for a minimum of 10 days and up to 40 days.
How to break the cleanse: The key to breaking this fast, or any fast is to GO SLOWLY and listen to your body. Gradually add fresh orange juice, apple juice, salads and fruits back into your diet.
How Does This Remedy Rate?
The lemonade cleanse, like any fasting program, does support the colon to remove some mucus and old fecal matter. It leaves deeper layers of mucoid plaque untouched.
Our Experience: Several of us completed a 10 day “Master Cleanse” ind 2008. The only thing we changed was to use agave syrup instead of maple syrup. We all lost weight and felt better after the process. But we also experienced significant highs and lows of energy.Based on our experience, we’d call the “Master Cleanse” more of a fasting diet than a cleanse. In comparison to the herbal cleanses we’ve completed, the lemonade diet was more difficult to complete – not eating for 10 days or more, presents extreme physical and emotional challenges.
Summing It Up
Given how difficult it is to complete fully, if we were beginning cleansing again, we’d probably go straight for a high fiber diet, followed by a cleansing diet and a high quality herbal detox. You can get more benefits in less time and with less work with herbal cleansing than with the lemonade cleansing diet.
Recently we discovered a very helpful guide that we wish we would have had when we did the Master Cleanse for the first time. It’s called “Master Cleanse Secrets” and gives VERY valuable tips for succeeding with and staying on the program. If you plan to complete the Master Cleanse you should really consider purchasing it.
