An enema is a procedure in which a solution is introduced into the rectum for cleansing or therapeutic purposes. Enemas were once very common but as people began to move away from the old ways in order to live the fast paced life in pursuit of easy living and luxury, the procedure got tossed to the side and our entire alimentary canal system (or digestive tract), especially the alimentary members ‘colon’ and ‘rectum’, became clogged and a plethora of diseases resulted, diseases such as constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fistula, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rectal cancer, and colon cancer.
A ‘high in meat, dairy, refined grains and starches’ diet has greatly sabotaged health in general, colon health in particular. Chances are, if the colon is impaired, so is the rectum.
To properly fix or repair the colon, the proper procedure would be a colonic. Please read our article “Colonics” to learn more about this procedure if you’re interested in it. However, the proper and best procedure to repair the rectum would be a good old fashion enema. Enemas release water or another solution into the rectum which helps cleanse the rectum by aiding (and stimulating) the rectum in expelling old fecal waste matter and residue. The rectum pretty much holds waste that is ready for elimination. However, many times, the waste will remain in the rectum for days and in some cases (with certain people), for weeks!
Preparing For and Performing the Enema
The enema is assembled; if reusable equipment is to be use, an 18-to-20 French gauge catheter (or a speculum), a 2-to3 foot length of tubing, an enema bag, the solution, a clamp, and a thermometer are collected and brought to the place where the enema will be performed, preferably the bathroom.
It is not hygienic to perform an enema in the kitchen or bedroom.
If a disposable enema set is to be used, no other equipment is necessary. The catheter or speculum (tip) is lubricated, preferably with botanical oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, grape seed oil, castor oil, or jojoba oil. Don’t use a synthetic lubricant, especially one that contains or is made from petroleum, i.e. Vaseline, K-Y-Jelly, or mineral oil. Always keep things natural as possible!
The person is positioned in the left lateral knee-chest or dorsal position, or, as some prefer, bent over with head-to-floor and posterior up.
The lubricated speculum or catheter is then gently inserted into the opening of the rectum. Remember to slide and ease in gently the speculum tip or catheter tip. The tip should be inserted 7.5 to 10 cm into the rectum.
NOTE: You can also lubricate the anus too before injecting the lubricated tip of the speculum or catheter.
Next, you slowly open the clamp (usually by a pressing and releasing action, which you may have to get a feel for with your hands behind you feeling their way with the enema’s clamp).
The enema solution is allowed to flow from a height of 45 cm above the level of the hips. Generally, the higher the enema bag, the better the ability of the water to flow through the hose and into your rectum.
You can control the flow of water into the rectum by manipulating the clamp. The clamp will usually have about 3-5 ridges that allow you to control the flow and amount of water that comes into your rectum.
With a disposable enema, the container is squeezed slowly to force the fluid into the rectum.
The tip (of the speculum or catheter) is gently withdrawn when all the solution has been administered.
The enema solution is held in for a prescribed period of time, after which it is expelled as you sit on the toilet (which is why the bathroom is the best place to perform your enema).
After injecting the enema solution (usually herbal solution) into the rectum, lie on your left side for 3-5 minutes and massage the left lower part of your stomach. Then, turn on your back and massage the top lower part of your stomach for 3-5 minutes. After this, lie on your right side for 3-5 minutes and massage the lower right side of your stomach.
NOTE: Place a few towels on the floor where you will lie on your sides and back during your enema. You should be comfortable lying down while massaging your lower stomach.
If you are new to enemas, you may want to attempt holding the solution in for about a good minute and then expel on the toilet. Don’t try and hold it in for 3 to 5 minutes. Work your way up to 5 minutes. Start at 1 minute, then 2 minutes, and then 3 minutes and so on.
Hold the enema solution in for as long as you can before expelling on the toilet. Sit on the toilet for a few minutes and take your thumb (alternating with both hands) and press into your stomach to hit certain reflex meridians to cause enema solution to be released.
Types of Solutions
The original enema solution is plain old natural WATER! Use distilled water or alkaline water for your enema. Never use tap water because it’s too chemically polluted!
You can mix different types of enemas together in the bag: hydrogen peroxide, liquid chlorophyll, sea salt, and bentonite clay. ALWAYS use the measurements given above when mixing all these agents together. The coffee enema should always be pure coffee and nothing else!
SEA SALT
You can add sea salt to your enema water. Pour the water into a big bowl or pot and then add the sea salt (4-8 ounces will suffice). Let the solution sit over night. The salt should dissolve into the water. Then right before performing your enema, pour the salt water into your enema bag.
NOTE: Refrain from pouring sea salt directly into your enema bag before performing the enema. The salt may clog the tube and prevent the clamp from allowing water in to the rectum. Sea salt takes time to dissolve!
Sea salt is available from health food stores. All kinds of sea salt can be used for the enema, i.e. Celtic sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, etc. Coarse or granule sea salt is best, but whichever sea salt type you use must be dissolved in water overnight.
CHLOROPHYLL
Liquid chlorophyll is a great addition to enema water. It helps to alkalize the rectum and also deodorize it! You can add 2-4 ounces to your enema water.
Liquid chlorophyll is available at health food stores.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is a great add to your enema water. Hydrogen peroxide eventually breaks down into oxygen in the body and this will help to neutralize parasites and other microorganisms that may be in the rectum.
There are 2 types of hydrogen peroxide you can use for your enema: 3% hydrogen peroxide and 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
If using regular 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 ounce can be added to your enema water. If using 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide, half an ounce will suffice-it’s very powerful stuff. Use too much food-grade hydrogen peroxide and you could burn the tissues of the rectum, which can lead to rectal bleeding.
35% Food grade hydrogen peroxide is available from select health food stores. It’s not an easy item to find so you may have to search around and inquire for a while. Regular hydrogen peroxide is readily available from your local supermarket or pharmacy.
LIQUID BENTONITE CLAY
You can also use liquid bentonite clay (2-3 tablespoons) in your enema water. Bentonite clay will help to draw out toxins and impurities from the rectum. NEVER use powdered bentonite clay in your enema water, only liquid bentonite clay (also known as colloidal bentonite clay).
HERBAL TEA
Make a pot of herbal tea and let it cool down to room temperature, and then add it to the enema bag. Use laxative and colon conditioning herbs (in whole or cut and sifted form, not powdered) such as chamomile, black walnut hulls, cascara sagrada and senna leaves.
Boil the herbs in water on the stove and strain the tea into a separate container. Let them cool down to room temperature and then pour in my enema bag.
Inject the herbal solution (tea) going through the 3-5 minutes on left side, back, and right side routine, and then expelling on the toilet. Then follow up with a cool water rinse (which is really room temperature), which contains cool water and half an ounce of 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
COFFEE
The coffee enema is ideal to help cleanse the liver and also for purposes of weight release (if you need to release some excess weight or fat). The coffee enema is best performed once a month. If you do a weekly enema, the fourth one should be a liver cleanse and the other three should be coffee-free!
Coffee through the rectum is not absorbed into the bloodstream like when drinking coffee, so you don’t have to worry about anything, especially the concerns related to drinking coffee. Coffee in the rectum causes the liver to throw off toxins like a dump truck!
Only use organic coffee beans. It doesn’t matter which kind (or flavor) of coffee you use. However, the coffee beans need to be organic, preferably. You can find organic coffee beans at Whole Foods Market and other good health food stores.
How Often Can or Should I Perform An Enema?
You can perform an enema every other 2nd or 3rd day. You don’t need to perform enemas daily. Once a week usually suffices for optimal health and wellbeing. Perform an enema at least 1-2 times per month.
It’s best to perform an enema in the morning, on an empty stomach. In the morning, all the refuse and waste matter that has broken down over night during the body’s natural healing cycle (11 p.m. – 7 a.m.) is ready to be eliminated. If morning isn’t convenient, then before bedtime is the next best time to perform an enema.
If you perform an enema during the week and you work a job, make sure you wake up an hour early to perform your enema. You might fare well though to perform your enema on your day off from work.
Even if you get colonics performed, you should still perform an enema periodically.
Even if you detox 2-4 times per year with the Full Body Detox or some other Dherbs.com cleanse, you should still perform an enema periodically. In fact, it is ideal and recommended that you perform an enema during your cleanse, every other 3rd day for that matter, or once a week. It doesn’t matter what cleanse you may be performing, you can and should perform enemas during the cleanse.
Where Can I Purchase An Enema Bag?
You can purchase an enema bag at a commercial pharmacy, supermarket, or medical supply store. They usually cost under $10.00 and come with the necessary accessories, i.e. clamp, hose, speculum, etc.
Some enema bags may even serve as a douche bag. As long as the douche bag comes with the accessories that allow you to perform an enema, it’s okay.
Enemas, Babies and Small Children
Enemas could be performed on babies and small children if there is a need for the procedure, but it’s not recommended.
Thank you for reading!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
