An enema is the way of putting fluid into the rectum or back passage through the anus to cleanse the large intestine or bowel. It is probably the most controversial and disputed procedure to include in a detox plan .
For centuries, enemas were routinely done in homes and prescribed by medicine men and doctors for all sorts of ailments but in more recent times their regular use for health has largely died out. Although disposable enemas are still frequently used for severe constipation and they are used by doctors before colon X-rays, bowel surgery and childbirth.
Detox
It is often claimed that the use of enemas is not natural but history tells us that people in most regions of the world have discovered the use of enemas. American Indians made crude enema kits from an animal bladder and a hollow leg bone. Pre-Columbian South Americans are credited with the invention of the first rubber enema bag and tubes.
What do enemas do?
Enemas help release the waste that is in the colon. The longer toxic waste stays in the bowel the more chance there is that toxins are reabsorbed into the body making you feel ill and weak. The use of enemas during an intensive detox will help clear out toxins much more quickly. They are especially useful to help relieve detox reactions or a healing crisis. Coffee enemas can stimulate the liver to discharge more toxins and bile.
Any change of diet can bring about a change in your bowel habits and it's not uncommon for bowels to slow down during a detox diet or juice fast. Juice fasting or feasting does not supply fiber to keep the bowels moving so the use of enemas or other means of cleansing the colon is important to get the toxins out.
What to put in an enema?
Many different types of solutions have been used for enemas from plain water to herbs, green soap, coffee, Bentonite clay and Epsom Salts. Here are three good enemas to use on a detox diet.
Bentonite Clay
Bentonite has a negative charge which attracts positively charged toxins like a magnet and removes them from the bowel. Mix 2 oz. to 4 oz of Bentonite Clay into 1 quart (2 pints/1 liter) warm filtered water just slightly hotter than body temperature.
Epsom Salts
Epsom Salts is probably best known as a laxative. Epsom Salts is magnesium sulphate which draws water into the bowel and helps to flush it. It can make a nice detox bath too. Use 2 tablespoons Epsom salts for each quart or liter of pure water.
Coffee
Coffee enemas are probably the most controversial although they are central to the Gerson Therapy and the Kelly and Gonzales detox programs for cancer. They are often ridiculed by main stream medicine and bear the brunt of numerous jokes although they were apparently mentioned in the older editions of the Merck Manual, a handbook for medical physicians.
The caffeine stimulates the liver and gall bladder to discharge bile. Toxins that the liver has neutralized are eliminated in the bile so increasing the bile helps to detoxify the body. Substances known as palmitates in coffee have been shown to stimulate glutahione-S-transferase the enzymes that aid liver detox. The coffee also has a stimulating effect on the bowel and is great for increasing the flushing effect.
They can make you feel good and can be overused which causes mineral imbalances. To prevent this you should have at least 3 x 8 oz glasses of juice for every coffee enema. One enema a day during juice fasting or a detox diet is usually sufficient. If you are are sensitive to caffeine try a mixture of half coffee and half chamomile tea or make the coffee half strength.
How to make a coffee enema
Bring a quart (liter) of distilled or pure water to a gentle boil in a pan and add three rounded tablespoons of organic filter ground coffee. Allow to boil for 3 minutes and then cover and simmer on low heat for a further 15 minutes. Strain through fine muslin and allow to cool to body temperature before using.
It can take practice to hold it in for 10 or 15 minutes. If you have trouble holding it you can just try a small amount and release it when you have to and then try again. Repeat this until you have used all the solution. You might find it easier to clear your bowel first with a plain water enema. Next time you go on a detox or do a juice fast try an enema and see what difference it makes.
Detox: 3 Enemas to Use With Your Detox Plan
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(c) 2009. Sandy Halliday is a nutritionist and health expert with over 20 years experience of many different types of detoxification programs and is the author of a new Detox Plan The Definitive Detox Diet