FAQs

How long should I stay on the programme?
It really depends on your own goals. It is recommended to do the full detox fast for 3-5 days if it is your first time. If your body is more accustomed to fasting than you can stay on the programme for 5-7 days. If you are wishing to continue any longer it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Why shouldn't I use maple syrup instead of the Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup?
Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup was formulated specifically for the detox with the right mineral concentrations and nutritional value. It uses premium grade C+ maple syrup (not just ordinary maple syrup), mixed with a special blend of highly nutritional palm syrups.
Using regular maple syrup alone will not give you the correct balance of minerals and nutrients your body needs.
So, is this the diet Beyonce did?
Many nutritionists working with celebrities (especially in the US) have run programmes that use The Lemon Detox, taking advantage of its huge benefits. But because this detox has existed in various forms for over 30 years, we do not want it portrayed by the media as just some celebrity fad, hence we have chosen not to publicise our celebrity followers.
Can I drink anything besides The Lemon Detox drink during the programme?
If you feel the need for variety, then once or twice a day you can drink a cup of herbal tea. Peppermint, rosehip and chamomile teas are useful complements to The Lemon Detox drink and make a nice contrast in taste.

Peppermint tea especially supports the cleansing process, offers relief from headaches, cleanses the palate and neutralizes any mouth or body odours that may arise. Teas and juices should only be sweetened with the Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup, if at all, and don’t use or add any dairy products.

Can I change the mix of The Lemon Detox drink?
Yes. You can change slightly the amount of syrup, but don’t change the amount of lemon juice. You can make the slightly less sweet by using 1.5 tablespoons of syrup to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, or if you are especially hungry, you can add more syrup. Find a mix that works for you.
How much should I drink per day?
Depending on your body size, you should drink about one gallon of liquids, including The Lemon Detox drink, per day. Most people drink 6 to 8 glasses of The Lemon Detox drink in one day. This ensures that waste material will not be too concentrated in the organs of elimination as the body goes through the cleansing process. Drink The Lemon Detox drink whenever you start to feel hungry. Don’t limit the amount you drink or try to drink too much. Everybody is different and their requirements differ. Listen to your own body.
Won't I put the weight right back on after the detox?
Most of the time, the weight stays off. Unlike many diets where the weight loss is mostly water weight, most of the weight lost during The Lemon Detox comes from the loss of diseased cells and fat tissue. Also, one of the greatest benefits of The Lemon Detox is that people usually kick their “bad food” addictions. As you probably know, eating foods that aren’t good for you are usually the same foods that make you overweight. “Junk foods,” processed foods, sugary foods, and high carbohydrate diets can all cause the body to gain weight as a way of storing these excess carbohydrates. A lot of these foods become addictive. Studies have shown that long-term high sugar diets and high processed-carbohydrate diets become addictive. We literally crave sweets and other highly processed, high carbohydrate foods.

When you go on a cleansing detox like The Lemon Detox, your body can overcome these addictions by getting a break from your normal diet. By the third or fourth day of The Lemon Detox, you’ll most likely feel really good, healthy, vibrant and clear because your body is cleaning out all the junk in your system. When you come off of The Lemon Detox you won’t want to go back to your old diet because you feel so good, and the mere idea of eating junk food will seem repulsive. Once you break these addictions your body literally tells your mind, “I don’t want this stuff in my system.”

Most people who perform The Lemon Detox do it as a way of starting a new, better diet and lifestyle. The detox cleans you out. You’ll lose excess weight and then feel so good that you’ll want to launch into a consistently better diet and lifestyle. We constantly get feedback from people who reconfirm this. For more information about using The Lemon Detox to launch into a healthier more natural diet please see our Maintaining Good Health page.

Apibal bee pollen (a special freeze-cracked bee pollen that is the only one we can find that is 100% digestible) is also highly recommended for those that have just finished the detox. It contains a huge array of mineral and nutrients that will help the body maintain optimum weight and health.

Can anyone do the detox?
If you are under the age of 18, currently on any medication, or have suffered or prone to suffering from eating disorders, please consult a doctor or relevantly qualified health care practitioner. The programme should not be done if you are pregnant, diabetic, breastfeeding or have a history suffering from eating disorders. If you have any doubts, please consult a doctor.
Can I drink coffee or caffeinated beverages during the detox?
We recommend that you try not to drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages during The Lemon Detox. Coffee is very toxic to the body, as are most caffeinated beverages. Since you are trying to get rid of toxins during The Lemon Detox, drinking coffee during the detox is counter productive. If you really feel the need for caffeine, tea is better than coffee, and green tea is better than black tea.

If you are going to go “cold turkey” off coffee during the cleanse you might experience some caffeine withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability. This is because coffee is very addictive and really not very good for most people. If you have coffee withdrawal symptoms they usually last 1 to 3 days. You might want to slowly wean yourself off coffee before the detox or be prepared to take extra rest the first few days.

By the time you get to the fifth day, you will hopefully feel so good that you will probably question whether or not you really want to go back to drinking coffee. At least it will give you some perspective on it.

Can I keep taking vitamins and supplements during the detox?
We recommend that you minimise the intake of vitamins and supplements during the detox. Remember, any thing that you take into your body has to be digested and eliminated. Any vitamins or supplements that you take during the detox add to the digestive load of your system, diverting some of your body’s energy from cleansing to digestion. If you are taking any vitamins or supplements on the advice of a health care practitioner for a particular ailment or deficiency then you may wish to keep taking them. However, if you are taking vitamins or supplements for just general health we recommend that you stop taking them during the detox and then resume afterwards.
Can I keep exercising?
Stay fit but take it easy. Avoid strenuous exercise as intense exertion may encourage toxins to be reabsorbed rather than eliminated. When we engage in vigorous activity the body is forced to call upon extra reserves of energy and synthesizes energy from protein and fat. This is a demanding process distracting the body from its cleansing priorities and when compounded by the release of lactic acid from muscular activity only increases the toxic load.

Nevertheless, gentle exercise is very helpful to the cleansing process. The key is finding the right balance of activity and rest. Adequate rest is crucial during The Lemon Detox. While resting, the body performs its vital cleansing tasks.

Athletes in training may experience a reduction in stamina and are advised to cut back 60-70% of normal training intensity for the duration of the detox. Far from interfering with your training The Lemon Detox is a wise investment for any athlete. Most athletes return to full training after the detox with renewed energy and enthusiasm. There are world class athletes who perform The Lemon Detox several times per year as part of the “recovery phase” of their training. You’ll find that your body performs more efficiently when it is cleansed and purified, experiencing higher energy levels and performance.

Should I refrigerate the syrup after opening the can?
Like all tree syrups, Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup has a long shelf life un-refrigerated, about 3 years. Once the can is opened it will still have a long shelf life but we do recommend refrigerating the can to maximize its life span.
Is there anything else I can do to help the cleansing process?
Take extra time to rest if needed. Be gentle with yourself while your body is going through the cleanse. A warm bath with mineral salts is a nice addition to the detox or a Sauna, especially if you are experiencing aches from the detoxing process.

Some people like to dry brush their skin during the cleanse. Dry brushing promotes lymphatic drainage and helps to loosen the toxins stored in fat pockets under your skin. Use a natural bristle brush or a loofah to brush the skin of your entire body starting from the feet, moving upwards towards the heart. Repeat this every morning and night before your bath.

The main thing is to be patient with the whole process. It sometimes takes more than a week to cleanse the body fully. Some people need to repeat the detox to fully cleanse their body, especially if they were particularly toxic to begin with. Remember that just by trying the detox you are doing your body a tremendous favour and it will reward you for it. Enjoy!