Stanley Burroughs
American writer (1903–1991)
Stanley A. Burroughs (October 9, 1903 – June 16, 1991) was an American naturopath and promoter of pseudomedicine known for inventing the Master Cleanse or "lemonade" diet, which he published in his book The Master Cleanser.
His later book Healing for The Age of Enlightenment (1976) promoted pressure points and chromotherapy, in addition to his dietary theories. Burroughs faced legal challenges throughout his career, being twice convicted of practicing medicine without a license, and charged with second-degree murder following the death of a patient; his conviction on the murder charge was overturned on appeal.
Early life
Burroughs was born in New York and raised in Detroit, Michigan. In the 1930s he migrated from the mid-west and settled in Portland, Oregon. He married and had three daughters; later he divorced, remarried, moved to California and saw little of his earlier family. He claimed to have worked at some point as a circus contortionist, resulting in an ankle injury that left him with an enduring limp. Although his original interest was in the lumber industry, he was inspired to explore alternative health theories. During his career, he lived in Oregon, Hawaii, and California.
Pseudomedical practices
Master Cleanse diet, light therapy, and other claims
Burroughs became famous as the creator of the "Master Cleanse" diet, one of numerous alternative health practices he promoted.
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