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Frequently asked enema questions
- What is the purpose of having an enema?
- Why do people take
enemas?
- What makes an enema so special?
- If enemas are so good, why haven't I heard about them before?
- What about children and enemas?
- What is the
difference between an enema and colon hydrotherapy?
- What else can I do to
clean my bowels?
Health Benefits
- How can I tell if I would personally benefit from an enema?
-
Suppose I have been suffering from constipation, will an
enema
help?
- Will an enema clear up my skin?
- Are there any additional benefits I might expect from an enema?
- Can I lose weight using
enemas?
Possible Worries
- Will an enema make me constipated or give me
diarrhoea?
-
Some people say that enemas wash out intestinal flora and valuable nutrients.
Is this so?
-
With all this talk of bacteria, I wonder what effect enema has on
our immune systems?
-
I'm worried that I could become dependent on enemas. If I have too many, the
colon may stop functioning on its own. Are enemas habit-forming?
-
Are enemas safe? What are the rules of safety when it comes to cleansing
your colon?
- Are enemas dangerous in any way?
- Is it embarrassing to have an enema?
- I'm still scared. Does it hurt?
Colon
-
What
are the characteristics of a healthy, well functioning colon?
- How can I tell if I have toxic material in my colon?
-
It sounds to me as though intestinal toxicity is a common condition?
-
But the colon isn't the only organ of elimination, what makes the enema so
important?
-
It appears to be important to cleanse the colon, but why not use suppositories or laxatives instead?
Technical Questions
- How expensive is an enema Kit?
- Is there anything I need to do to get ready for an enema?
- How long should a enema take?
- What is the best kind of water used for an enema?
- How will I know when the colon is empty?
- Will one enema completely empty the colon?
- How often should I
clean my colon or take an enema?
- Will it be okay to eat after having an enema?
- And what can I expect after having an enema?
- What is the purpose of having an
enema?
a. Waste material, especially that which has remained in the colon for some
time, (i.e. impacted faeces, dead cellular tissue, accumulated mucous,
parasites, worms, etc.), poses several problems. First this material is quite
toxic (poisonous). These poisons can re-enter and circulate in the blood stream
making us feel ill, tired or weak.
b. Impacted materials impair the colon's
ability to assimilate minerals and bacteria- produced vitamins. A build-up of material on the
colon wall can inhibit muscular action causing
sluggish bowel movements, constipation, and the result of these disorders.
Once impacted material is removed, your colon can begin again to co-operate as
it was intended to. In this sense a enema is a rejuvenation
treatment.
c. It exercises the colon muscles: The build-up of toxic debris weakens the
colon
and impairs its functioning. The gentle filling and emptying of the colon
improves peristaltic (muscular contraction) activity by which the colon
naturally moves material.
d. It reshapes the colon: When problem conditions exist in the colon, they tend to
alter its shape, which in turn causes more problems. The gentle action of the
water, coupled with massaging the colon helps to
eliminate bulging pockets of waste and narrowed, spastic constrictions finally
enabling the colon to resume its natural state.
e. It stimulates reflex points: Every system and organ of the body is connected to
the colon by reflex points enemas stimulate these points, thereby affecting
the corresponding body parts in a beneficial way.
f. It can help to release old emotions that are stored in our 'gut'
- Why do people take
enemas?
Cleansing the colon goes back thousands of years. It is as wholesome as
brushing your teeth. Many people, many more than you realize, would greatly
benefit from taking an enema once a week or going to a Holistic colon therapist once a
month. I really do think that, optimally, most of us should be having at least
one evacuation, with 6-12 inch long stools, leave our colon daily. I see so
many people who are afraid to talk about their bowel habits with others,
even those close to them. There are many reasons for adults to take
enemas or implants. These
reasons include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and other related chronic
illnesses, to reduce a fever, to overcome the flu or other acute
illnesses, to relieve constipation during pregnancy, in combination with a fast,
imbalanced colon flora, and in preparation for a colonoscopy or other medical
procedures. This is just a short list.
- What makes an enema so special?
Because you very gently flush the colon with up to 2 litre of water and
massage and stimulate pressure points at the same
time, you will be able to work loose and eliminate far more toxic waste
than any other short-term technique.
- If
enemas are so good, why haven't I heard about them before?
In a way, the answer to that is a commentary on our present-day lifestyle.
Historically, artefacts and records show that people have regularly purified
their bodies, including cleansing the colon. Around the turn of the 20th
century, the present-day colonic machine was developed, providing a
significantly improved method of accomplishing colon cleansing. Up to the
late 1920's many doctors had colonic machines in their offices, and machines
were found in hospitals as well. Enemas were used frequently. Articles
dealing with colon health frequently appeared in prestigious medical and
scientific journals until the early 1930's. At that time modern man began a
50 year love affair with drugs and surgery. These seemed to offer relatively
instant relief for body ailments, resulting in purification and prevention
techniques becoming less attractive. Recently, however, there has been a
resurgence of interest in using natural approaches for healing the body, and
enemas and colonics have rapidly been regaining the respectability they had
before.
- What about children
and enemas?
We all love our children very much and want the best for
them. When we are faced with a constipated child, it is sometimes confusing to
figure out what to do. For instance, moving the bowels on a regular basis is
crucial to optimal health and often solutions in the realm of alternative health
do work, but your child starts screaming anytime you mention an enema.
Or, you have a constipated baby, moving her bowels less than once a day and you
are scared at the thought of giving her an enema. Enemas can be great for any age; and yes, it can be a tricky activity to take
part in. With the very young, I use diet and
homeopathics daily or when needed and
enema only very occasionally and of course with very
little water or a ayurvedic oil enema. With older
children, I have found that taking things slowly, and
exchanging ideas with them, so they can take the tool on as their own, really
works the best. You have to look at it as a long-term project and be relaxed
and warm. Best is to consult with your doctor, naturopath or holistic colon hydrotherapist.
- What is the
difference between an enema and colon hydrotherapy?
The bottom line is that you have access to a lot more water during a colon
hydrotherapy session (40-80 litre) versus the 2 litres that your average enema
bag holds. Colon Hydrotherapy, done well, is often a better tool to get the
intestinal muscles to start pumping or 'peristalting'. Often, the number one
goal of colon cleansing is to get the gut muscles to expand and contract
rhythmically, just like the heart. This action is the key to getting out the right
amount of stool daily. When a colonic is taken using the 'closed system' you
can use the tubing to stimulate peristalsis in an effort to
retrain the colon.
Enemas, done well, can be nearly as effective as colonics
and
are much more cost effective. Given experience and patience, enemas can clean
out the entire colon just as a colonic would. It just takes some work and you
have to know what you are doing.
I promote both for different
reasons, which include effectiveness, cost, personal preference of the client,
health goals, how often one needs the treatments, etc. I think both are very
useful and often best used in conjunction with each other.
- How can I tell if I would personally benefit from an
enema?
Does your colon now exhibit the signs of a well functioning colon? If not, some
enemas or one
or more sessions with a knowledgeable holistic colon therapist may bring you great
dividends.
- What else can I do to
clean my bowels
There are some excellent products available that will clean your whole
intestinal system. I mainly recommend
AIM Herbal Fibreblend
because of it's effectiveness and ease of use. It
takes about 3 month. If you are after a faster solution I recommend Oxy
powder a cleanse based on magnesium oxide. It is one of the best cleanses
around.
Click here for more information on Oxy Powder.
Other
more complicated solutions (because they require more or less strict diets)
are Nature Sunshine Cleanse, Arise & Shine, Dr. A. Vogel or Hulda Hemmes.
-
Suppose I have been suffering from constipation, will
an enema
help?
Constipation can almost always be successfully treated with natural,
harmless techniques, including the use of enemas and colonics. Constipation is one of what
may be termed "civilized man's diseases". There are three factors involved in
having a well functioning colon: diet, exercise and attitude. All three must be
in balance for the colon to function well. Often, however, because the colon has
been sluggish for so long, it has become severely weakened due to being
constantly bathed in toxic waste, stretched from holding excessive amount of
stools, or frequently, constricted by chronic tension in the colon. Enemas in
this case can be helpful if it is a short term problem. For chronic
constipation I suggest a few sessions
of colon hydrotherapy in combination with the right herbs first, as it is excellent for cleansing and healing the
colon
sufficiently so that changes in diet, exercise, and attitude are then able to
produce their effects. Many people find the relief provided by this
stimulates the motivation and enthusiasm to institute positive changes in their
lifestyle.
- Will a enema clear up my skin?
Your skin actually "breathes" and is an important organ of elimination of waste
material. Sometimes, if the colon, liver or kidneys are functioning poorly, the
skin will be required to make up the difference. Surface eruptions on the skin
of various sorts may occur due to toxins being released. Cleansing and healing
the colon diminishes the burden placed upon the skin as well as the other organs
of elimination: lungs, liver and kidneys. As elimination is accomplished through
its proper channels, the skin will very often clear up. Coffee enemas are great
for the skin.
- Are there any additional benefits I might expect from an
enema?
Enemas can start you on a very beneficial educational process. You
can learn to expand your awareness
of your body's functioning by including signals from your abdomen, your skin,
your face and even from that most taboo of natural products, your eliminations.
You will find that you can spot the beginnings of developing conditions through
clues from these body regions and functions before they become serious. You can
deal with them sooner and more easily than you otherwise might if you waited
until they produce effects seen elsewhere in the body. Also, the solar plexus is
the emotional center of the body and the transverse colon passes right through
it. If an emotional event is left uncompleted, it often results in physical
tension being stored in the solar plexus, which affects all organs of the
area, including the colon. This ongoing tightening of the colon muscle results
in diminished movement of faecal material through the colon, which is
experienced as constipation. Not only can enemas alleviate the constipation, they can
assist you in creating a fully holistic view of your body's functioning, leading
to a better quality of life.
- Can I lose weight using
enemas?
Colon cleansing, combined with diet and a cleansing program,
are excellent tools to achieve and maintain your ideal weight. The crucial point
to understand here is that when you diet you often release toxins into the colon
that are reabsorbed by the liver. This is one of the factors that makes you
crave the foods that you are trying to stay away from, that makes you feel kind
of crummy. When you move waste out of your body more quickly and often more
efficiently with enemas, you feel better; this tends to increase the motivation
to stick to your program. I highly recommend enemas as part of a successful and
healthy weight loss program.
- Will an
enema make me constipated or give me diarrhoea?
For a short time (up to one hour) after an enema, you might need to be close to the toilet,
depending on how much waste got loosened up during the enema and how much
water you used. The most frequent post-enema experience is to have a slight delay in
your next bowel
movements and then a resumption of a somewhat larger, easier to move stool.
Sometimes, if the colon is weak and sluggish, there may be no bowel movement for
several days following a enema. However this is not due to the enema (if done
correctly), but
rather to the weakness of the colon, and should be interpreted as an indication
that the colon requires strengthening and healing. Most people go back to normal
and improved bowel movements after a series of enemas.
-
Some people say that
enemas wash out intestinal flora and valuable nutrients.
Is this so?
The truth is that the washing out of putrefied material in the large intestine,
increases the good intestinal flora. Good bacteria can only breed in a clean
environment, which has been washed free of putrefaction and its accompanying
harmful bacteria. This is why the intestines of a newborn baby immediately begin
to grow good intestinal flora. Each time you clean out the putrefying rubbish
and make a better environment for the good flora, they start to multiply
immediately in their natural media. It also stands to reason that valuable
nutrients can better be absorbed in a clean environment than in a putrefied one.
If there is Candida present I recommend an implant
with bifidus bacteria.
-
With all this talk of bacteria, I wonder what effect
enema has on
our immune systems?
The removal of stagnant waste material and hardened, impacted toxic residue
can rejuvenate the immune tissue that resides in the intestines. Recent
European studies speculate that 80% of immune tissue resides in the intestines.
This is much higher than previously thought and makes it logical to believe that
this type of therapy could positively influence immune deficiency diseases.
Enemas are not a cure-all, but an important adjunctive therapy in your overall health care.
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I'm worried that I could become dependent on
enemas. If I have too many, the colon may stop functioning on its own. Are
enemas habit-forming?
The enema is a tool intended to be used to create a clean and healthy colon. You
should set a goal of having a well-functioning colon. Your fulfilment comes from assisting
yourself in healing your colon, not in making yourself dependent upon enemas. Actually,
one of its features is that an enema (if done correctly!) can be used to tonify the colon muscle so
that the colon doesn't perform so sluggishly. Many people have sluggish colons.
It can take sometimes days for bowel movements to return after a good enema. This is
when people think they are becoming "dependent" on enemas. A good
enema can be
worth 2 or 3 regular bowel movements, so it may take some time for faecal
material to build up in the colon once again if one has a sluggish colon. When
the colon is sluggish and bowel movements do not return for a few days after one
enema, it is an indication that extensive colon work is needed to remove the
debris that the bowel has built up over the years. This build up of faecal
material has decreased the muscular action in the colon. Enemas can give you a feeling of being lighter, cleaner and healthier
with a sense of well-being. Cleansing and building programs offer preventative
measures so that you can be in control of your own health. Dietary changes are
often necessary to ensure long lasting and vital health.
Important: Always do an enema after your natural bowel motion!
Enemas are not intended to replace mother nature's call! If you suffer from
serious chronic constipation enemas alone are not the solution - see your
holistic colon hydrotherapist or health care provider!
-
Are
enemas safe? What are the rules of safety when it comes to cleaning
your colon?
With both enemas and colon therapy, the rules are the same. The most important
rule is: Don't share your equipment. It may be ok to share a bag, but never
share a nozzle or speculum. Even though the risk of transferring bacteria from one
person to the next is low when the equipment is well cleaned. Therefore, don't share nozzles or tubing.
You should at least have your own nozzle and tubing.
Wash your bag
and your nozzle well before and after each use. Also, with enema bags, make sure
they dry out fully between each use. This will assure that you don't get a build
up of mould inside your bag, causing you to have a lot of health problems.
You can think of your colon in the same way that you think of your mouth. In
both, there are living organisms and soft tissue. You put water and other
even more disturbing substances, in your mouth all the time. Both the
organisms and the soft tissue maintain their integrity. The same is true of
your colon. The fears around these healing tools are based on
misinformation. There is a very long history of using water to cleanse the
body internally and externally.
- Are enemas dangerous in any way?
Being an essentially natural process, there is virtually no danger with an enema. Make yourself familiar with the correct use
of an enema and educate yourself as much as possible.
- Is it embarrassing to have an
enema?
I guess, this depends if you feel that it is embarrassing to go to the toilet.
It is a very natural process after all. You can make a little mess if you are
not doing it right or are not very experienced with the procedure - but it's
not worse than changing a nappy from a baby. Also, when you go to the toilet
you usually generate a smell which can be worse when you eliminate toxic
waste. So I suggest you make sure that you have an hour of uninterrupted time.
Lock the door, take the phone off the hook and tell your partner that you are
going to have an enema. Be honest about it, there is nothing to be embarrassed
about. You are doing the right thing, looking after your health.
- I'm still scared. Does it hurt?
Many people are scared of enemas and colon hydrotherapy. Truly, you don't
need to be. Of course, your experience is influenced by which of the tools you
use, who you are with, how many times you have done it, and the state of your
health. But, most often, people feel great after they have an enema. If you
don't feel great, this is a sign that your colon is struggling. I hope this
motivates you to really take your health seriously.
Done thoroughly, you will eliminate fully enough during the enema or colonic
that you will not find yourself having to run to the toilet unexpectedly.
Most people don't have pain during the
enema but a few do in the form of cramps because of wind in the colon. Breath
deeply into the pain and tap the area lightly. Usually, painful experiences are the result of resistance and
tension.
Most people actually enjoy enemas and are
especially pleased with the unaccustomed sensation of feeling lighter, clean and
clear afterward.
Sometimes during an enema the colon muscles will contract suddenly expelling
considerable amounts of liquid and waste into the rectum. This may feel like
cramping or gas, and may create a feeling of urgency to empty the rectum.
Always follow the urge!
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What
are the characteristics of a healthy, well functioning colon?
Healthy babies, animals and adults not subjected to the "refinements" of
civilization have bowel movements shortly after each meal is eaten. So, assuming
there is sufficient fibre and water available to the colon, one characteristic
is a bowel movement shortly after a meal is eaten (we are talking full meal not
snack). Once the urge to eliminate is
honoured by a trip to the toilet, the elimination should be easy and take no more
than a few seconds. The stool will be long, large in diameter, light brown in
colour, without offensive odour and should float just below the surface or sink very slowly. When the
toilet is flushed, the stool immediately begins breaking apart by the action of
water movement. As incredible as this may sound, it is true and commonly
experienced in cultures where people live more naturally.
- How can I tell if I have toxic material in my
colon?
This condition is prevalent in all civilized societies. Common signs
include: headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad
breath, body odour, irritability, confusion, skin problems, abdominal gas,
bloating, diarrhoea, sciatic pain, and so forth. As you can see, intestinal
toxicity is part and parcel of many people's everyday experience.
-
It sounds to me as though intestinal toxicity is a common condition?
Yes it is, but toxicity is not limited to just the colon. Toxic material is
found throughout the body, particularly in fat tissue, joints, arteries,
muscles, liver, etc. Enemas can effectively eliminate small quantities of toxic
waste in the colon and as a result have an effect on the condition of the entire body. To remove larger quantities
of toxic waste a
proper cleansing program has to be followed. Ask your health care professional
about this.
-
But the
colon isn't the only organ of elimination. What makes the enema so
important?
While the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver also serve to eliminate toxins, people
have experienced throughout history that when they ensure that the colon is
cleansed and healed, the well-being of the whole body is greatly enhanced.
Enemas (and holistic colon hydrotherapy) have been found to be one of the most effective process available
to accomplish this work quickly and easily. Supported by skin brushing, kidney
and liver cleansing as well as proper breathing you will feel fantastic.
-
It appears to be important to cleanse the
colon, but why not use suppositories or laxatives instead?
Well, every thing has its proper place, but these things aren't substitutes for
enemas or colonics. Enemas are useful for short-term release of the colon. Usually, one or
two litres of water are used to do that and it will of course not work as deep as a
colonic which uses 40-80 litre in one session. Suppositories and laxatives particularly herbal laxatives, are formulated for various
purposes, such as: to undo the effects of temporary constipation, to prepare
for surgery, etc. Their frequent use can make you dependant on them.
- How expensive is an enema kit?
This varies, dependant upon the type of enema, between
(US$10 - US$300) Although cost is obviously relevant,
your health is far more important.
- Is there anything I need to do to get ready for an
enema?
Since you will be massaging your abdomen it is a good idea to eat or drink lightly in
the time immediately preceding an enema. Also , it is very important to empty the
rectum with a bowel movement just prior to the enema, thus eliminating the risk of
dependency and permiting
more to be accomplished.
- How long should an enema take?
It can take about 45 minutes, usually it will be shorter when you start using
the enema kit and it will be longer the more experience you have using enemas.
- What is the best kind of water used for
enemas?
You should use filtered water or buy filtered rainwater in the supermarket.
This kind of water is capable of absorbing
and flushing more toxins out of the colon because of its drawing effect on solid
particles, chemicals and other matter. You can also make up different
implants with filtered water.
Tap water is not used because it already
has numerous chemicals and inorganic substances present.
- How will I know when the
colon is empty?
It will probably never be completely empty, as it’s an organ in continuous use.
As more of the old impacted material is released you will actually feel the
water enter higher regions of the colon without any sense of obstruction. The
objective should not be an empty colon, but rather a well functioning colon.
- Will one enema completely empty the
colon?
Almost never. Many of us have a considerable amount of impacted faeces
in our colon. This is hardened, rubbery or wallpaper like material. Substantial
work must be done to remove it.
There is a subtle learning process
involved in having enemas. As you become more aware of what is going on in
your abdomen, and as your body learns how to allow the cleansing experience, you
are better able to enter into that process, and therefore more material is
released. One enema will remove some of the stagnant waste in the colon. The
second and subsequent enemas will remove more waste. How many you may wish to have
will depend upon your personal objectives. Remember that enemas are only a tool
to be used for a short time. Don't get dependant on them.
- How often should I
clean my colon or take an enema?
This is a question that can only be answered on an individual basis. You are a
unique individual with unique needs. In order to answer this question, one should look at
their health and lifestyle history, their diet, their goals, their economic
situation, and their present lifestyle. One very important guide when thinking
about the use of colon cleansing is to realize that it is a powerful emotional
tool that often allows the person to frame a difficult lifestyle change, thus
promoting a successful program that brings more self-directed motivation.
I highly recommend to clean your colon at least once a year with a good
cleansing program. This can be any type of fasting or herbal cleanses,
depending on your body type. During that time you can have more enemas or
see a holistic colon hydrotherapist.
Often the waste is so hard and deeply lodged in the colon that a series of
enemas may be necessary to sufficiently soften and loosen it. Properly done enemas also
stimulate the liver, kidney and lymph system to dump toxins.
Remember, enemas are not intended to replace your bowel movements. You want
your bowel to do the work.
Once your system becomes cleaner you get a renewed sense of how you ought to feel, which will help you to know for
yourself how often you should clean your colon.
- Will it be okay to eat after having an
enema?
We suggest that you eat at your normal mealtime, and consume a moderate amount
of whatever seems gentle and nourishing to you. Just as it doesn't make sense to
have your car cleaned and then immediately drive it through mud, eating a meal
known to cause trouble in your abdomen directly after a enema isn't an
intelligent choice. Something light like salads, vegetable soups or broths, fruit, or juices are the
best choice.
- And what can I expect after
having an enema?
Most likely, you'll feel great. Probably you'll feel lighter and enjoy a sense
of well-being. As soon as the
enema is finished you can carry on with your daily routine. For some, the
enema
may trigger several subsequent bowel movements for the next few hours, but there
won't be any uncontrollable urgency or discomfort.
I generally recommend to have some time for yourself in case you feel like
some quiet time after the enema.
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