There is written documentation about the use
of enemas as far back as the Egyptians. Throughout
history people have been using enemas as a tool to cleanse the colon, as a central tool of
preventive medicine. In the Bible, ancient Egyptian documents, Papyrus, the Hindus,
Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Sumerians have all used this bodily cleansing tool to make
their lives and their health better. |
Use your back button to return to the previous page.
For
qualaity enema and colonic supplies + much much more
visit Enema Supply.Com
You will be
absolutely amazed at the supply of herbs and herbal products!!
If it's about
health...we're there! Yoga for the mind and body + an assortment of great products.
Coffee enemas have amazing benefits for
detoxifying the liver. Try Wilson's.
Warning: Do not use enemas or laxatives if abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting are present
unless directed by your health care provider.
Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use of a laxative or
enema may indicate a serious condition.
Discontinue use and consult your health care provider.
Statements contained within these web pages are for informational purposes
only,
and have not been evaluated by the FDA.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
If pregnant or have an existing medical condition consult your healthcare
provider before using.
Enema Temperature:Most people find that a warm water enema can be held more easily than a cold one. I use a warm enema when I want to fill myself with the maximum amount of water possible. I use a cool water enema when I need to force out water and material that is stuck in my bowel. The temperatures given are that of the water as it is poured into the bag. It cools off some before it gets into the colon. Don't try to judge temperature with your fingers, they're too unreliable. If you don't want to use a thermometer, use your tongue! It's a fairly reliable reference for body temperature. If it burns your tongue it's to hot for your rectum ! ! Cool water is 30º - 32ºC ( 80º - 90º Fahrenheit ) Warm water is 40º - 42º C ( 104 - 108º Fahrenheit ) Hot water is 43 -45ºC ( 110 - 115º Fahrenheit ) Don't take water any hotter than 45ºC or 115º Fahrenheit or you can scald or BURN the colon. You can take it as cold as you can stand, some people take crushed ice enemas, but I suspect most people couldn't even accept water that cold into their bowel and expect to hold it. |
Anatomy of the ColonThe Anus is the external sphincter that closes off the rectum from the outside of the body. It is a ring of muscles. It can easily stretch to about 1½ inch diameter, and can be stretched further if you go about it very slowly. |
The rectum is a powerful muscular organ about 5½ to 6in inches long, with a sphincter at each end. |
The sigmoid colon is a looped section of the bowel just above the rectum. It is shaped somewhat like a question mark, hence its name. The loop occurs at about a depth of 8 to10 inches into the rectum. The sigmoid comes in two sizes in humans. There is the long sigmoid and the short sigmoid, and few are born with one in between the two distributions of sizes. Those who have the long sigmoid can probably take about a full quart of water more than those with the short one. |
The descending colon is in the left side of the lower abdomen, and can be easily felt any time the abdominal muscles are fully relaxed. It hugs the left wall of the pelvis, and reaches up to the splenetic flexure, which is just under the left rib cage. |
The transverse colon extends from the splenetic flexure to the hepatic flexure, right across the abdomen on the right. It follows a sagging course across, and in many people sags about ½ of the way down in the middle to the navel. |
The Ascending colon is on the right side of the pelvis, and the lowest part of it is called the cecum, the part of the colon where the small intestine expels its contents into the colon in a liquid form. It is the part of the colon with the largest diameter, and is most effective in absorbing water. |
After taking a large enema, stand in front of a mirror, with the light from a ceiling lamp falling across the abdomen, and the shadows will make many of these structures readily apparent. The transverse should show up as a shadow about 2-3 inches below the belly button. When lying face down on a bed, the cecum will expand to an enormous size, then lift the body a few inches with the hands and knees and the right side of the belly will clearly show the shape and position of this part of the colon. The colon narrows gradually from the cecum (about 2½ to 3 inches when distended) to the sigmoid, about 1 to 1½ inches diameter. |
Positions
There are many positions in which an enema can be taken. Two of the most widely known are the " Sims" position and the "Knee-Chest" position. The Sims position has the recipient lying on the left side, with the right knee brought up near the chest. The Knee-chest position has the recipient supported by the knees and the shoulders, with the chest sagging down, so that the chest touches the floor. This places the abdomen nearly upside down, so that the water can flow down from the rectum to the transverse colon by gravity. In cases of deep-seated constipation, this position will help the water reach up into the colon for a good cleaning out. It is also useful in a technique for floating air or gas in the colon above the water so that the air can be expelled. Standing upright requires you to hold the tube in the anus unless you use a retention nozzle that holds itself in place. Lying on the back is a favorite position, especially for the first enema of a session. You can watch the bag slowly deflate, and you can also watch the abdomen expand as the water enters the colon. You should lie down so that you can prop your head against a wall, like a pillow. You will probably be most comfortable if the knees are raised. You will first see the belly swell very low, just above the crotch, as the sigmoid expands. Then you will see the left side start to bulge as the water enters the descending colon. You will be in a position to massage the bowel as well as feel the shape and position of your colon. Lying face down can be used, but pressing the belly on the floor restricts the abdomen's ability to expand. Lying face down and arching the back by raising the upper body on the elbows is a very stimulating position, and lifts the belly up from the floor. This presses the genital area against the floor, and leaves the hands free to massage the breasts, etc. Lying on the right side is the
opposite of the Sims position, and
causes the water to flow down into the Sitting on the floor allows you to tense certain skeletal muscles, The floor helps hold the nozzle in but can kink the hose. This may not be the greatest position for filling and cleaning the bowel. Reclining is similar to sitting, but you lean back against something. Standing on the head uses gravity to force the water down into the transverse colon, which usually needs a good cleaning out anyway, but especially if you are quite constipated. Reclining in the bathtub is quite comfortable, except that the tub may be cold. You don't have to worry about leakage here. Leaning over the edge of the bathtub is similar to getting on your hands and knees, but it leaves your hands and arms free, and is a little easier to stay in that position for a while. Sitting on the edge of the bathtub is comfortable, and is the way to do a faucet enema, described in equipment.
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CapacityEvery individual has his or her own capacity, and it will change from each enema to the next. The cleanliness of the colon and the amount of gas present will have a great effect on the volume of water that can be taken. Medical researchers have determined that the average adult human colon has a capacity of 7 quarts. I believe that this measurement must have been made using colons removed from cadavers, who wouldn't complain about the pressure. It may be that the colon has this capacity, but that no one except a woman who has just delivered a baby might have that much room in the abdomen to allow the colon to expand to its fullest. You may want to experiment with this by taking the largest enema that is comfortable, and then rolling from side to side very slowly and seeing if the water runs downhill to distend the lower side more. You probably will find that the lower part of the colon will be noticeably more swollen, indicating that it is your abdomen that is unable to expand to allow the colon to accept any more fluid. Fifty or so years ago, most adult patients receiving enemas were given 4 quarts of barium solution and made to hold it during the X-ray procedure. At the same time, the enema bags sold in drugstores held 3 or 4 quarts, and many people felt that they could not be properly cleaned out unless they took the full bag. Today's drugstore fountain syringes do not hold over 2 quarts, which many feel is a real shame. For more on this topic, see The 4 Quart Enema: Fact Or Fiction |
RetentionMost people will find it difficult to retain an enema for more than several minutes. If the bowel is not clean, then the peristaltic action of the colon will push against the fecal masses and produce intense pressure. This will frequently happen with your first enema in a series. Not to worry just expel and try again. If you get a strong cramp and an urge to expel, getting up is the worst thing you can do. It makes the descending colon vertical and adds gravity to the force the water towards the anus. This is how to have an accident. If you can, wait a few seconds while lying down. The pressure will pass in 10-15 seconds as the wave of peristalsis passes the sigmoid colon and reaches the anus. Then you can get up and go expel without straining to hold it in. If you must go to the toilet, and the pressure is intense, you can hold the buttocks together with both hands. This helps the anal muscles retain it. I also like to use a folded wash cloth pressed tightly against the anus. A trick I use is to lie face down on the bed, and wait for three waves of cramps to pass. After the third cramp, I can usually walk leisurely to the toilet to expel, and I have a good expulsion. If the cramps are extreme, however, I just don't wait. Another aid in retaining the water is to get into the knee-chest position when the pressure builds. This causes gravity to help hold the water in. But separates the buttocks making it hard to hold the anal sphincter closed. Another method is to lie on your back, and massage the colon with both hands. Whenever you feel pressure building, or can feel a big bulge with your hands, massage around that area until the pressure relaxes. Some people recommend rolling from one side to the other every minute or so. The idea is that the water will flow repeatedly downhill, alternately filling the descending and sigmoid colon and then running down to the cecum. This is supposed to break up any masses in the transverse.
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ExpulsionObviously, most people expel their enemas while seated on the toilet. This is probably not the best position for expelling feces and water from the colon because of the need for the wide cecum to push the water up hill to the transverse, and then for the transverse to pump it back up its sag to get it to the descending. A large volume in the descending will cause the descending colon to slide down the left side and kink where it meets the sigmoid. This can get you stuck! If you can feel lots of water bulging on the left side, but can't get it out, you need to change positions. Get up and lie down for a moment, or get into the knee-chest position, or just turn as if you are looking over your right shoulder. These techniques can un-kink the descending colon, and get the liquid and feces passing out again. Some people prefer to expel in the bathtub, which is much easier, because the colon does not need to lift water to get it out. This is extremely messy, however, so don't do it unless you don't mind cleaning up. If the colon becomes severely blocked while holding an enema, you may prefer to do this. In the hospital, patients are frequently given a bedpan when expelling enemas, to get the same benefit of the position. If there is substantial gas in the colon, it may be very difficult for the colon to lift water when large air bubbles are present. These like to collect at the hepatic flexure, high on the right side, and can be detected by a rumbling sound when you press there. If you want to get the gas out, you can sit on the floor and make sure the gas is at the hepatic. Roll slowly onto the right side, then massage the transverse, following its course with your hands. You will know that you are moving that gas by the rumbling. When you have the gas moved to the splenic flexure, move quickly to the knee-chest position. Now massage the descending colon upward, from the ribs to the groin on the left side (you're upside down, remember) until the gas has moved to the sigmoid. Use heavy massage in the groin area, to move water out of the sigmoid, and move the gas in. When this is done, get on the toilet quickly, and you should be able to expel a prodigious gas blast. You may have to repeat this procedure several times, but when all the gas is out of the colon you should be able to expel the water quickly. Don't sit on the toilet for more that a few minutes if there is no solution coming out. Sitting too long and straining is one of the chief causes of hemorrhoids. Those will certainly ruin your enema pleasure. If nothing is coming out, lie down either face down or up, or lie on your left side, or get into the knee-chest position. These will help the water move, and soon you can go back to the toilet. |
EquipmentStandard Brands:The standard enema apparatus available in the drug store can be
divided into several types. There is the open-top fountain syringe, usable for enemas and
douches. There is the closed-top type bag, which can also be used as a hot- water bottle.
There is the four-way type, which also is intended to be used as an ice bag. Most of these
units offer 2 quart capacity. If that is the limit of your capacity, the open-top fountain
syringe is the best type to use, because it is very convenient. The enema and douche
nozzles that come with these units leave much to be desired. There are also discreet type
units sold primarily for feminine hygiene use, but some come with enema tips also. These
are good because a woman can put them in her purse. |
Special Hardware:Here are some descriptions of exotic enema equipment you can build from commonly available items. The faucet enema is not for the inexperienced. If you don't have much enema experience, I suggest that you start with a standard 2-quart open-top fountain syringe from the local drug store. When you get able to take 2 fillings of the bag at one time, then you are ready to get more exotic. Actually, the equipment for the faucet enema is available at any hardware store. It is called a shower hose adapter for the bathtub faucet. It has a rubber fitting that fits over the bathtub faucet, a hose, and a rubber shower head. Attach the faucet fitting to the bathtub faucet, remove the shower head from the end of the hose, and you are ready. Set the faucets to a gentle flow, with a temperature that feels a little warm to the tongue. Sit on the edge of the tub, and ease the flowing hose against and then into your anus. You will feel the water filling your rectum. Relax the bowels as much as you can, and you don't need to worry about spilling a little water into the tub. When the bowels feel full, remove the hose and wait a moment. The feeling of pressure should pass, then insert again. When you are full, move to the toilet and expel the water. You can repeat the process as many times as you like. Since the water is always running, you can move back and forth between the tub and toilet very quickly, and get a good cleaning out in about a half hour to 45 minutes. When completely filled, don't miss looking at your distended belly in the mirror. You can also adapt a colon tube or other nozzle to the flexible hose on a personal shower head. A few cautionary notes about the above procedure! A 4 quart enema jug can be made from a Rubbermaid 1 gallon orange-juice pitcher. Drill a hole near the bottom of the pitcher, insert an all-thread pipe nipple of about 1/8" size, and seal with nuts pressing on rubber washers sealed with RTV (bathtub caulk) or contact cement. Attach plastic tubing to exposed end of pipe nipple, held with hose clamp, and sealed with same sealant. You will have to make or order a large diameter enema nozzle or colon tube, although the end of the plastic tube can be smoothed off and used just like that. A 4 quart bag can be made from a Faultless brand ice bag. Drill a hole in the center of the plastic cap, and adapt as above with the pipe nipple, etc. Get an 8-32 Eye Bolt with machine screw threads, 2 8-32 fender washers as large as available, and 2 8-32 nuts. Poke a hole in the center of the end of the bag opposite the filling mouth just big enough to take the eye bolt. Screw one nut onto the eye bolt. Place a washer on the eye bolt. Put contact cement onto the washer facing away from the ring end. Push into the bag from the outside. Coat the other washer with contact cement, and place over the exposed end of the eye bolt inside the bag. Screw the other nut on to hold the bag between the two washers. This should provide a leak-proof hanging hook for the bag. Spread some contact cement on the inside washer and nut to help prevent rust. Voila! A 4-quartenema bag! Nozzles and tubes: There are many different types of nozzles and tubes available for inserting into the rectum. What you want is either a colon tube (a rubber tube from ¼" to ½" diameter and anywhere from 10" to 5 feet long) or a nozzle with a bulb on the end, to help you hold it in. These are called "N-Tips". Some of the better drug stores carry these items, but you will have to ask for them. Some drug stores also carry the fleet high-volume bag enema or an equivalent brand, these are made of plastic and will not deteriorate when oils are used, as a rubber bag will. The "high-volume bag" usually holds 2500 CC (over 2 quarts) but in the same series, the manufacturers make a barium enema container which can be ordered, and it has 3500 cc capacity (almost 4 quarts). Some medical and osmotic stores carry many of these items. These are considered disposable, but with a little care they will last a long time. The Colon Tube is a straight tube with a rounded end, and usually a small hole in the side near the tip. They come in many sizes, and are usually measured in "French" sizes. 28 French is a small tube, and 48 is fairly large. |
Conversion of French size to standard measuresFr. size Inches mm 18 .25 5.7 24 .30 7.6 28 .35 8.9 32 .40 10.2 36 .45 11.5 42 .50 13.4 48 .6 15.3 60 .75 19.0 The N-tip is really made to help patients hold a barium enema, but many people use them for other enemas. It is made of molded plastic. The balloon retention catheter, which has a rubber balloon (they usually come in 30 ml. to750 ml. sizes) near the end of what would otherwise be an ordinary colon tube. When the balloon in inflated with air from a bulb, it makes it impossible for the tube or the solution to come out until the balloon is deflated. These tubes are nearly always made of gum latex, and you must be sure not to use Vaseline or oil on them. Lately, some people have had severe allergic reactions to balloon-type catheters, and some models have been taken off the market. It's probably rare, however. In Great Britain one style of this tube is called a "Barium" tube. |
Enema SolutionsChart(Note 2 quarts is roughly equal to 2000ml) (105 º Fahrenheit is 40.5º C) Solution Amount Comments Tap water 2 quarts Mild cleansing. Not isotonic meaning it does not match body electrolytes time Saline Isotonic. Recommended temp is 105º Fahrenheit but is easy to hold table salt 4 teaspoons water 2 quarts Best ENEMA for frequent enema use. Soda Useful in relieving diarrhea. sodium bicarbonate ¼ cup Retain 5 min. or longer water 2 quarts Soapsuds Commonly referred to as "SSE" castile soap 2tablespoons Cleansing, irritating. Follow with tap water or saline enema water 2 quarts Saline and Soda table salt 4 teaspoons sodium bicarbonate ¼ cup water 2 quarts Soda and Soapsuds Less irritating to expel with the addition of soda castile soap 2 tablespoons Follow with warm tap water or saline enema sodium bicarbonate ¼ cup water 2 quarts Peroxide Gas expelling. Insert a rectal tube after a few minutes to help release the gas hydrogen peroxide 2 tablespoons water 1 quarts Epson Salt Epson salt ¼ cup water 2 quarts Glycerin and Water Sometimes called "G&W" enema or Small gas moving enema glycerin ½ cup water 1 quart glycerin 2 tablespoons water ¾ cup Milk and Molasses Warm milk to 110º fahrenheit, add molasses stir. let cool to 100º fahrenheit milk 1 cup 8ozs. Administer rapidly. Very strong cleansing action with brutal cramps. Follow with tap water or saline molasses (blackstrap) 1 cup 8ozs. Coffee Precede with a tap water enema for initial cleansing. coffee (ground) ½ cup Briskly boil water, add coffee and stir well. water 2 quarts Continue to boil for 5 min. then remove from heat and steep 5 minutes Strain, add sufficient water to make 2 quarts. Cool to 100º fahrenheit. Retain 10 to 20 min. Useful in relieving cold symptoms or a toxic headache. When introduced through the colon coffee does not act on the nervous system. Herbal Precede with a warm tap water enema. catnip ¼ cup water 2 quarts Add catnip to boiling water, covered steep 15 min. Strain, add water to make 2quarts,cool to 100º fahrenheit. Retain 10 to 20 min. This is a soothing calming enema. Honey Precede with a warm tap water enema. honey 3 tablespoons Dissolve honey in water and add lemon. Lemon juice (strain) ½ cup Retain 10 to 20 min. water 2 quarts Very Dangerous Wine Enema Heat to 100º F and slow administration is the key. wine (white recommend.) ¼cup water Equal amounts of water&wine Retain indefinitely Cold water Useful as fever reduction therapy. salt 2 tablespoons Solution should be 60º fahrenheit to 80º fahrenheit. water 3 quarts The enema MUST be given slowly and retained for enough time to permit heat absorption. The saline version is useful in treating heat exhaustion or heatstroke. |
Isotonic EnemasThe Salt Water enema ( Saline Enema) is just warm water with one tablespoon of salt to the quart. The salt is to prevent absorption of the water by the colon. It does this by bringing the salts content of the solution closely in balance with that of the body fluids. Thus, transfer of fluids through the colon walls is virtually halted. the best salt to use for a saline enema is Celtic Sea Salt. The baking soda enema (which can also have salt added as above) has one or 2 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in each quart of water. One teaspoon of salt and one tablespoon of soda per quart of water.
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Soapsuds EnemasSoaps: Ivory Bar soap works well. Hold the bar above the top of the bag while the water fills it. For a stronger soap solution, use a container and swish the water around to dissolve more soap. Castile Enema soap in pre measured packets. Standard packet is ¼ oz of soap. Instructions on packet usually say something like : Dilute contents of packet with 1 or 2 quarts of lukewarm water. Castile Liquid soap (Dr. Bonner's is one brand). Use about 1 teaspoon for each quart of water. Dr. Bonner's soap is available in plain (green label), with Peppermint (blue label) and with Eucalyptus Oil (brown label). Never use the Eucalyptus oil in the bowels, it will cause a very bad reaction. The peppermint oil is a cooling additive, If you use any Castile soap, you may want to finish with a plain water enema to prevent any soap from remaining in the bowel to cause irritation. Kirk's Hardware Castile Soap is a very fast dissolving bar soap.
Non-soap: Plain tap water can be used, but be warned that your colon will absorb quite a bit of the water, which will dilute the blood electrolytes. Then the various tissues of the body absorb the excess water and swell. Your brain swells, too, and there isn't any place for it to expand into. This is called cerebral edema. A few 2 quart plain water enemas won't do any harm, but if you take large volume or many enemas in succession, 1 tablespoon salt per quart of water. |
Oil EnemasThe Oil Retention enema is an injection of about 4-8 fl. Oz. of mineral oil, vegetable oil or olive oil. It is held in the colon for 1 hour or more before a soapy water enema is given. The soapy water enema can be very strong because the oil will protect the colon from irritation. The oil coats the lining of the colon, and also softens the bowel contents, making for a spectacularly powerful evacuation. When the oil is in the colon, do not be fooled by what feels like the urge to expel gas. If you do so, you will probably expel a blast of dirty oil with it, and it will be a mess. If you absolutely must pass the gas, get into the knee-chest position for one minute, and then hold a folded wash cloth or a large piece of toilet paper over the anus, to prevent the release of the oil. Expel the oil before taking the soapy water enema. You will need to take at least two or three soap suds enemas to remove all of the oil, or dirty oil can leak out of your anus for several hours. |
Coffee EnemasCoffee enemas
have been used in the past for cleansing. The theory is that the coffee assists the large
intestine, gallbladder and liver in getting ridding of the toxic substances that have
accumulated there. It does seem to work. They are still popular among certain US
naturopaths, and are widely available outside the US in specialized clinics. |
Exotic Enema SolutionsBeer (usually warm) or wine can be used. It is pretty irritating. Obviously, you will get drunk. A word of caution. Use alcohol sparingly. It is absorbed in the intestines much more rapidly than in the stomach, and once it's in the bloodstream, you can't readily get rid of it. Also, whenever alcohol and sex are mixed, there is increased risk of doing foolish things that compromise safer sexual practices. Play should be fun, so do play safely. Lemon Juice is said to help dissolve fecal masses. Use 2/3 cup real-lemon per quart, similar to a lemonade recipe. It is also said to dramatically enhance cramping; so consider lemon-juice enemas if cramping is your bag. Epsom Salts (2 tablespoons per quart) can be soothing to the colon. Also produces an excellent bowel movement. AIR can be pumped into the colon.called an Air Enema An easy way to do this is to disconnect the hose from the enema bag and insert the nozzle into the anus. Take the other end of the hose into your mouth and blow. Don't mix air and water. If you have taken enemas, make sure you get all the water out before you put the air in. A mixture of water and air in the colon causes terrible cramps. If this ever happens to you, you may have to expel in the bathtub, where the flat position makes it easier for the colon to push the water out without the large air bubbles defeating the peristalsis. Urine is sometimes used by the "Golden Showers" crowd. While you might catch something from the urine of an unhealthy donor, your own probably won't hurt you. You certainly won't contract any disease from it that you don't already have. In fact, yogis drink their own; and claim great restorative powers for the practice. No question that the practice would at least let you exercise your control over your gag reflex. |
You can Use your back button to return to the previous page.
For
qualaity enema and colonic supplies + much much more
visit Enema Supply.Com
You will be
absolutely amazed at the supply of herbs and herbal products!!
If it's about
health...we're there! Yoga for the mind and body + an assortment of great products.
Coffee enemas have amazing benefits for
detoxifying the liver. Try Wilson's.
Warning: Do not use enemas or laxatives if abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
are present unless directed by your health care provider.
Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use of a laxative or
enema may indicate a serious condition.
Discontinue use and consult your health care provider.
Statements contained within these web pages are for informational purposes
only,
and have not been evaluated by the FDA.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
If pregnant or have an existing medical condition consult your healthcare
provider before using.