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What is a Saltwater Flush?

Margo Upson
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Updated: Feb 15, 2024
Views: 171,734
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Salt has been used to cleanse germs from the body for centuries. Rubbing salt into a wound will prevent infection, although it will sting. The same idea is used for a salt water flush, which is a natural way to clean the intestinal tract. A saltwater flush is a safe and inexpensive alternative to enemas or colonics, and does a better job of cleansing the whole tract.

A saltwater flush work by moving through the body and breaking up fecal matter, which is then carried out of the body with the water. The salt and water don’t separate, and it has the same specific density as blood. The kidneys, therefore, can not collect the water, and the blood cannot collect the salt. The liquid will move through the body uninterrupted and clean toxins from the intestines as it moves through.

The night before performing a flush with saltwater, drink a cup or two of tea that has a laxative effect. This will help loosen everything up before the flush. Saltwater flushes should be done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This should be scheduled for a day off of work, with no other plans. Staying home is advised, for your convenience.

It is easy to make the flush. First, heat one quart, or one liter, of water on the stove. It needs to be warm, not boiling. Second, add two teaspoons of sea salt to the water, and stir until dissolved. Don’t use processed table salt; you won’t get the same affect. Lemon or lime juice can be added for flavoring. Pour the water into a glass and drink it. It should taste very salty, and may be difficult to get down. The next step is to lay down on your right side for thirty minutes. This allows the saltwater to enter straight into your small intestine.

After performing a saltwater flush, your first bowel movement should be within two or three hours. Expect several more throughout the course of the day while your body rids itself of toxins. Some people may feel some discomfort or bloating before their first elimination. This is normal, as your body is working the saltwater through the intestine at this point. Stretches may help speed the process up by allowing the body to more easily break up any clumps in the digestive tract.

Saltwater flushes can be carried out daily for up to a week straight. After cleansing the intestinal tract, yogurt should be eaten to help repopulate the healthy bacteria in the intestines. These flushes are not necessary, but can be useful to help with constipation. Although occasional saltwater flushes aren’t dangerous, the body’s natural waste removal system generally works fine on its own.

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Margo Upson
By Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education, Margo Upson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role as a WiseGeek writer. Her wide-ranging interests and skill at diving into new topics make her articles informative, engaging, and valuable to readers seeking to expand their knowledge.

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Discussion Comments
By anon956576 — On Jun 14, 2014

I used it today: 1 tablespoon of pink Himalayan salt, 1 liter of water, and 1 lemon wedge squeezed into the water. It tasted so good. I love the lemon salt flavor.

I had to use the restroom 10 minutes later and was there for two hours with only five minute breaks in between each bowel movement. I decided to do it because I get heartburn all the time. My belly looks like I’m pregnant, too. But other than that, I have normal bowel movements every day with occasional gas.

I woke up at 12:30 (noon) and I did it at 1:30 pm. I was in the restroom for like two hours. My last bowel release was like at 3:30. I’m hungry, but I don’t know what to do. I’ve been reading online that people fast after this. I have dinner plans with some friends at 6:30 at Olive Garden. I’m freaking out about what I will order so I don’t mess with the benefits. Let’s see how this goes!

By anon942835 — On Mar 29, 2014

This works. I did my first flush the other day, and boy does it make you go! It is like peeing out your bum, literally. I've read a lot that you know you've flushed your system once it has become clear. I noticed my flush becoming more lighter, or a yellow/brown. Do you think I should continue to flush until it is more clear (like the next day and so on for a week?). Any recommendations or experience with this would help thanks!

By anon933902 — On Feb 18, 2014

I've done this a few times and when it works, it's very effective. I'm probably one of the healthiest people I know. I eat relatively healthy and try to exercise regularly. There was one time I did the flush during a particularly stressful point where I was super busy and eating irregularly. I had a blockage in my stomach for like two weeks (!) that was almost painful and I was about to go to the doctor when I tried this. Worked like a charm!

A few things -- like I said, I've done this a few times and recommended it as well. It's not worked for me some times, and this is what I've found.

Make sure you are properly hydrated. Drink plenty of water the day before. I sometimes have issues with dehydration (and I am someone who likes to drink lots of water). Besides water, the only other things I really drink are green tea and alcohol on occasion, and sometimes if I don't purposely remember to drink enough water (a little over half my body weight in ounces), I find I'm usually dehydrated (dark urine, dry chapped lips). I drink a lot of green tea, usually every morning before I go to the gym (five or six bags per cup brewed for seven to 10 minutes), and that is super dehydrating, especially first thing in the morning. So is coffee. Any type of caffeine is, so make sure you drink lots of water the day before you plan to do this.

Only use basic sea salt. Not refined sea salt. Not iodized sea salt. Not fine sea salt, and obviously not table salt. I never realized how many different types of sea salt there were until doing this. It absolutely will not work if you don't use pure, basic, plain sea salt. That should be the only thing listed in the ingredients.

Use warm water.

2 teaspoons (not tablespoons) of salt, with 32 ounces of water. I have a 32 ounce water bottle that's labeled.

I think it is affected by menstrual cycle. I have done this twice around my period and it didn't work and I couldn't figure out why. I researched and found that information. I did it afterward, and it worked. You can take your chances and test this theory, but the thought of drinking all that salt for no reason might make you just want to wait it out! It does for me!

Drinking green tea after seems to move things along for me. I did this once when I didn't think it was working, and I got tired of waiting. Presto change-o! I've done it a few times since now. It definitely seems to help. I do drink my green tea strong, though (three to five bags in a cup).

By anon355327 — On Nov 15, 2013

You don't have to do it at any particular hour, just do it in the morning before you have eaten anything. You need to have an empty stomach. I do this about once every three months and it works great every time. If you don't expel anything, do it again the next day; you just needed the salt.

You are supposed to drink lots of water after the first bowel movement so you don't become dehydrated and to keep the water moving through you until you are expelling nothing but water. Plan on staying home.

By anon319211 — On Feb 11, 2013

I did the flush, but have not had to go to the bathroom. I didn't know if maybe my body needed the salt so it absorbed it. Should I do another flush?

By anon304557 — On Nov 20, 2012

I did this a few times over the years and it worked very well. Yesterday, when I tried it, I only had two small movements at about 30 and 60 min. resembling oat-mealy diarrhea that stunk. The volume wasn't there, nor was the nasty brown liquid I had remembered. Possibly I was a bit dehydrated. Besides, I did it around 1 p.m., having had no food.

I wasn't hungry much all day, eating some pecans around 6 p.m., then a meal of steak and eggs and turkey sausage, grits, peas and grilled potatoes around midnight.

I didn't sleep much of the night due to a bunch of stressful things going on right now. So, this morning I was leery of trying it again, but felt that I needed to. So, at about 10 a.m., I did it again. I used two teaspoons of sea salt to a quart of warm water and lay on my side for 60 minutes. After feeling rumblings around 20, 30 and on, I got up after about 75 min and parked on the toilet for about four movements in about 30 minutes. They all stunk and were watery. I made some yogi tea and drank it, ate some plain yogurt, then made some oatmeal with powdered milk, raisins and ground flax seeds. I feel pretty well now, just tired because I had about an hour of sleep last might.

By anon302088 — On Nov 07, 2012

I used it after seven days of constipation and within an hour my system felt it was being flushed out. It was definitely worth it and I feel much better.

By anon297453 — On Oct 16, 2012

I have done three salt flushes every second day for the last week. I am on anxiety medications and they can have a constipating effect on my body.

It took about two hours for it all to pass through, and it set in within 15 minutes each time I drank the water. Yep, it's nasty, stinky and you will do best to keep a book in the loo to pass the time, but by the last movement, the water had become clearer.

It is important to drink plain water about an hour after drinking the salt water solution. Although no salt is absorbed into the system, neither is any of the water in the flush. You can resume normal eating and drinking within four hours of the flush.

I also suffer from premenstrual bloating where I can gain up to 5 kgs in the days before my menstrual cycle begins. I have found that this time there has been no bloating at all and it has relieved all of the discomfort that comes with it.

Please use the right type of salt and don't do this too often. Eating clean and healthy foods will restore the system with the necessary nutrients to your system after a flush.

By world — On Jul 20, 2012

I'd like to do a one day salt water flush. The only thing which stops me that article does not provide what kind of preparation should be done before the day of flush (what eat/not eat) and when I can resume eating after flushing and what kind of food.

By anon279537 — On Jul 13, 2012

I have done this flush twice. The 1st time I was doing the master cleanse detox and it didn't work so well. I did it this morning. I drank my salt water. I did 3 tsp of salt at 5 a.m., fell asleep on my right side 30 minutes. At 6:30 a.m., it worked like a charm and worked a lot better than when I was detoxing. I feel better, no longer bloated and no pain. It just feels great.

By anon239728 — On Jan 10, 2012

I'd really like to try the salt water flush. Is this treatment safe to do if you're on a med (Lisinopril)for high blood pressure? I hope so. I'd really like to try it.

By anon170522 — On Apr 26, 2011

@anon131867 The flush needs to be done in between 5-7AM.

By anon163141 — On Mar 26, 2011

I have been using this remedy for about two years and I love the results. It's not like other laxatives where you wait and wait; it gets right to the point fast and thoroughly. I definitely recommend it.

By anon152706 — On Feb 14, 2011

Started the flush yesterday and plan to do it daily for five days. It has worked perfectly and is clearly flushing my system completely out. Yesterday it took about two or three hours to take effect. Today it took about 30 minutes. This is clearly the easiest way to eliminate build up in the intestine and colon. --TG

By anon151967 — On Feb 12, 2011

i have did the salt water flush over two hours ago so nothing? Have i done something wrong? I found it really difficult to swallow but will definitely try again if it works? Does it have any weight loss effects?

By anon148015 — On Jan 31, 2011

I tried the saltwater flush yesterday. I suffer from constipation and must say it work like a charm. I have to admit that I only used half the recommended ingredients, one teaspoon of non iodine salt and one cup of warm water. I only went once after but felt great after. I almost want to try it again today but don't want to overdo it.

By anon143547 — On Jan 16, 2011

Tried the saltwater flush yesterday, and oh how I regret it. It is probably one of the most terrible things I have done to myself. I followed the instructions exactly and started drinking the solution at 7:15 a.m. I lay down on my right side and watched a movie while sipping it. 30 minutes later, I had to go. And I had to go every few minutes for the next hour and a half.

It was liquid and stinky. I thought it would pay off, but I don't feel like it did. Granted, I have no digestion problems other than occasional indigestion, but no issues with constipation. My bum hurt very bad and I am pretty sure a movement around 2 p.m. had a decent amount of blood in it (either that or the red Gatorade was making its presence known).

I felt sick all day and my skin looked gray. I actually thought I might need to go to the doctor or something. I felt okay the next day, but no miracles.

Anyway, maybe it works for some people, but for me it was absolutely terrible without beneficial results so I don't think I'll ever do this again unless instructed by a doctor.

By anon131867 — On Dec 04, 2010

I tried the salt water flush this morning at 8 a.m., before breakfast, but it did not work. It's now 6 p.m. I added 2 tablespoons of sea salt to 1 liter of water. Did i do something wrong? I will try again tomorrow.

By anon112706 — On Sep 21, 2010

I have done a salt flush, and it worked superbly. I used pink himalayan salt 4smal teaspoon to one liter of lukewarm water and a dash of lemon juice. Drank this lay on my right side and within half an hour to an hour it was through my system. I had about five or six flushes drinking mineral water in between each and after about one hour felt absolutely fab.

I am healthy with no medical contra-indications and I eat healthy too. If on any medication or known medical conditions I would not do this.

I would get exercising and eating healthy and after a few months with no medication and an all clear from your Doctor go ahead with this salt flush. All the best.

By megaMouse — On Jul 22, 2010

The saltwater flush is a great way to quickly expel toxins and food waste from the body if the flush is performed correctly. It's often recommended to fast from solid foods for two to three days before the flush. This allows the saltwater flush to work more effectively and eliminates the possible discomfort that can occur during the body's expulsion of waste.

It's also important to note that the saltwater flush should only be performed once a month to keep the body from becoming dehydrated.

By ChickenLover — On Jul 22, 2010

@Kamchatka - This method works quite well when paired with a drink with a laxative effect. You should be cautious, though, that you don't consume too much of the drink as it will defeat the purpose of the saltwater solution the morning after.

By Kamchatka — On Jul 22, 2010

This is a very interesting and informative article. I always thought that the only way to cleanse was through herbal medication or medical applications. It's relieving to know that there is a home remedy, but I'm not sure I'll try it without some kind of feedback. Has anyone used this method before? And if so, how did it go?

Margo Upson
Margo Upson
With a vast academic background that has ranged from psychology and culinary arts to criminal justice and education,...
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