Reviewed By Susan Schenck

If you have not heard of the Master Cleanser, it is a very popular way of fasting/cleansing created in 1941 by the author’s mentor, Stanley Burroughs. The author has spent a total of 1,000 days on the cleanse since 1979 and has successfully guided others on it. The healing benefits are remarkable and include better sleep, mental clarity, weight loss, freedom from addictions, hair no longer falling out, more energy, and much more.

The cleanse consists of four items. Lemon juice is used because lemons contain many minerals, as well as acids that help break down calcified substances in the body such as kidney stones and gallstones. Lemons are also alkalizing. Maple syrup is recommended above all other sweeteners because it is rich in minerals and vitamins. (Agave was, if used more than 10 days, found to cause demineralization!) Cayenne pepper is added because it purifies and thins the blood. (The book also states that when cayenne is placed under the tongue in tincture or powder form, it can even stop a heart attack!) Of course, water is also used in the drink, and the author discusses the various forms of water (distilled, reverse osmosis, etc.)

In this complete guide to the Master Cleanse, we are told what to expect during the cleanse and reminded that a healing crisis is good—it means your body is doing its cleansing thing. The author assures women who are pregnant or nursing that it is safe for them to also participate in a 7 to 10 day cleanse. Children and the elderly too! Even people who have had various organs removed.

We are also told how to end the cleanse, and how to eat to maintain the benefits. (Eat raw as much as possible, and alkaline; avoid processed foods, go organic, etc.) There is a list of 21 things to do to enhance your results, as well as 17 common mistakes to avoid (ex: you should drink the juice within 10 minutes to get most of the nutrients). The author also gives health tips for your lifestyle after cleansing, such as starting out every morning with some fresh squeezed lemon juice, and experimenting with mono diets, juice diets, water fasting, parasite cleanses and liver/gallbladder flushes. There is a discussion of the advantages of vegetarianism, the importance of staying alkaline, and more in-depth talk about water.

The last part of the book discusses emotions and emotional eating. “There is not enough food on the planet to make your feelings and emotions go away,” he tells us. “Eventually, the gnawing away of some past experience or pain that just won’t dissipate may suddenly break through into your conscious awareness and motivate you to step up and make a change.” We are also given tips and info on the importance of filtering the bath or shower water, as well as having nontoxic skin care products and even clothing.

Beyond the Master Cleanse (Ulysses Press/ 2009) by Tom Woloshyn is a great, easy-to-read little book, a complete guide for cleansing inside and out, and staying clean. Even though I have read hundreds of books on health and nutrition, I found many new little useful tidbits such as suppressing the appetite with essential oils of lemon, ginger, peppermint and spearmint and how to make a concentrate for when you are traveling.

Book Review: The Daylight Diet By Paul Nison

Susan Schenck is author of The Live Food Factor

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