ENEMAS: How To Do An Effective Home Enema Safely and Effectively

Pooping is a very important part of our day and if its not going as planned an enema can be just the right thing!

Did you know that your colon is basically your body’s sewage system?!

Included in the waste matter (poop) there will be “food waste” but also metabolic waste from the cells, tissues and organs. When the colon is functioning smoothly it is heaven but when its behaving badly it can be “hell!” The colon can very quickly stagnate and then it can become a toxic, putrid, cesspool causing all kinds of digestive and elimination issues. (e.g. gas, bloating, pain, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea, etc)  The majority of Americans have the latter due to an unwise diet.

Home enemas, when done correctly, are an easy, effective and extremely cost effective way to gently flush out the stagnant colon and help to being it back to health and vitality.  As remedies go, self-administered home enemas are the bargain of bargains. 

The basic enema kit consists of the classic 2 qt. enema/douche/hot water bottle combination bag or enema bucket. Smaller bags are fine too. There are also “Fleet” enemas which are small plastic “squeeze” bottles with a saline solution. (You would be advised to buy at least two Fleet enemas as they are quite small). It is recommend that an enema device should have a soft flexible nozzle so that it cannot damage the anus /rectal tissue is a good investment.

 Another key consideration is to make sure your enema device is BPA free

BPA free enema bags, buckets, “Fleets” or stainless steel buckets can be bought at the pharmacy section of the grocery store or online.

If you are interested in learning about the benefits of a coffee enema click here

How to administer your home enema

  1. Pour either distilled or pure water (at room temperature) into your BPA free enema bag or enema bucket.  IMPORTANT NOTE: You do not need to use large amounts of water to cleanse your colon. In fact, if you use a smaller amount of fluid, you will have a more effective enema and not stress your colon. I suggest using between 2-4 cups of water. There will be less pressure and the fluid will be able to move around the colon better. ( if you are doing a coffee enema use 2-4 cups of room temperature regular organic coffee as described in the coffee enema article)

  2. Carefully hang the enema bag on a towel bar, window hinge, door handle or whatever works in your bathroom. Use string or whatever is necessary to hang the bag about 4 feet off the floor.  If you are using an enema bucket then you can stand it on the bathroom counter top.

  3. Put a towel on the floor and lay on the towel on your back (face up). Make sure you are close enough for the hose from your enema device to reach you!

  4. Begin by gently massing your abdomen. You could use some lotion or massage oil but its not necessary. The best way is to massage your colon is to start from your right hip - up to your ribs - across your abdomen to the left rib area - then down to your left hip. You can massage very gently just below your belly button to if you wish. Massaging will help to increase circulation and if there is gas it will help to loosen it up. If you are suffering from gas you could try bringing your knees to your chest and rocking back and forth. Then pretending to “cycle” your legs. Do this on your back so the gas can be expelled out of the anus.

  5. Lubricate the insertion nozzle or tube with e.g. coconut oil, olive oil, organic lotion, or similar.

  6. Lie on your left side to take advantage of the fact the colon makes a left hand downward turn shortly after the rectum (Sigmoid flexure). Insert the rectal insert (shorter insert) approximately two inches into the rectum/anus. If it hurts, try lifting your “butt cheek” up to open the anus more so the nozzle can slide in easily. Do not force it.

  7.   Open the clamp valve on the hose and allow a small amount of enema water into the rectum/colon -- approximately 1/2 to 1 cup enema water (or coffee). Whatever the amount do not create excess pressure or discomfort. It’s important to be comfortable with a small amount of enema water ( or coffee) If in doubt: "Less is more."

  8. Remaining on your left side massage the water gently along the left of your abdomen (descending colon). Work the water up the descending colon to the next turn of 90 degrees called the splenic flexure just below your left rib cage.  This should disperse the small amount of water inserted so that you feel no pressure or perhaps a little pressure. Then add a little more enema water -- slowly -- and continue to gently massage the water as described, retaining (holding) the previous intake of enema water (or coffee)

  9. As you continue, roll over on your back. If possible, lie on your back with your legs up against a wall or side of bath. You could put pillows underneath your butt or use a slant board. The idea is to get the water to flow “down hill” into your colon using gravity!  Gentle massage will help as well (emphasis on "gentle") When on your back, if pressure is minimal, open the valve to introduce more water and repeat the process -- let a little water in and massage it along the length of the abdomen from left to right under your right rib cage (the transverse colon to the hepatic flexure).

  10. OPTIONAL / ADVANCED TECHNIQUE! While on your back, depending on your flexibility, roll over on your right side attempting to direct the enema water into the last section of your colon along the right side (the ascending colon through the last 90 degree turn, the hepatic flexure). From here the ascending colon goes down to the cecum and appendix.

     If you cannot do this then you are fine to stay lying on your back or tilted up for as long as you can hold that position. Again, gentle massage will help.  

  11. Do whatever you can to help disperse the enema fluid through the length of the colon…using gravity and gentle massage. Be patient, take your time and don't force anything.  You may hear the enema water slosh around in the colon and that’s a good sign!

  12. Continue to introduce small amounts of enema water ( or coffee), massaging as you go. You will eventually finish the enema fluid. Relax and breathe. Take some time for yourself.

  13. If a retention enema is your goal then hold the enema fluid for between 10-15 minutes only. Longer is not necessarily better as it can strain the colon.

  14. When you are ready or get the urge to sit on the toilet, you can roll on your left side and gently take out the nozzle/ tube. Sit on the toilet to discharge the waste and gas. If you need to sit on the toilet soon after starting that’s fine. Just take out the nozzle and relieve yourself then continue with your enema. Keep going and finish the remaining water. Don't be shocked if your enema discharges mucous, mucous ropes, fecal stones and other putrid debris. It may really stink!

  15. After practicing doing a few initial enemas soon you'll find what works for you. It doesn't take long to sort this out and get good at self-administered home enemas. If you are not agile or healthy enough to follow these instructions then be sure to seek out professional help. There are many highly skilled colon hydro-therapists throughout the US. 

 REMEMBER! Don't force things. Be patient, make yourself comfortable with comfortable clothing and a comfortable floor mat / towel.  Only introduce a little water at a time to reduce the build up of pressure in the colon. Massaging gently helps to disperse fluid and release gas. Always “lube” the nozzle. Follow the directions! You may be pleasantly surprised how invigorated you feel and how much less bloated or “full” you feel in your abdomen!

This is an anatomically correct picture of a colon. not all colons will look like this as over time and dietary issues or even pregnances the colon can become mis-shapen. but you can clearly see the sections of the colon described - the ascending colon, transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid “S-bend” and rectum.

Precautions: If you’ve experienced complications from using enemas in the past, it’s best to talk to a doctor before trying to perform an enema on your own. If you are not careful, enemas can come with certain side effects, including tears in the colon and dehydration or even electrolyte imbalance especially if they’re over-performed or performed incorrectly. If you’ve experienced hemorrhoids or tears in the past, you might find inserting the nozzle painful and should not force the procedure.

You also don’t want to perform more than one enema weekly until you monitor your reactions and make sure you aren’t experiencing any signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, muscle cramps or weakness, due to increased bowel movements. Drink plenty of water when using enemas to help flush your system.

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