The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemon Cleanse an the Maple Syrup Diet, was created by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 and later popularized by Peter Glickman in his book (2005) Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days. . Burroughs states that it is a detoxification program that aids in the removal of harmful toxins from within the body. People have also used the cleanse to lose weight, although that is not the aim of the cleanse.