Hello Cleansing Enthusiasts,
It isn’t difficult to find instructions on enema administration on-line or with the package inserts that come with standard enema kits. Enema kits were once readily available in most drug stores, but have largely been replaced by small volume, medicated enemas. While these may provide quick comfort by inducing an overdue bowel movement, they cannot clean out much more than the stool just inside of the rectum.
The average adult colon, or large intestine, is about 5 feet long and can hold 2-2.5 quarts of water. If you want to clean the entire colon, all the way to its junction with the small intestine, you’ll have to be able to hold a whole 2 quarts at one time. General enema instructions cannot help you understand how to do this.
It can be quite easy if your system hasn’t been compromised and your diet supplies necessary fiber and water. However, many of us, if not most, have excess gas and waste that can make the water leak out while you’re trying to put it in; this also makes for more discomfort and cramping. Patience and persistence, as well as a quiet space for privacy and a bit of trial and error are necessary.
For first-timers, a 16 oz. enema can provide softening of stool and adequate stimulation of intestinal muscles to begin to correct the discomfort of constipation. Beyond detoxification assistance, if it is your goal to restore the lost intestinal tone associated with chronic irregularity, you will need to start with 1/2-1 qt. enemas and gradually increase to 2 qts. over a period of days or weeks. Your results will vary depending on how long you’ve had constipation challenges and your level of commitment to eating more plant-based fiber and drinking ample water. Peristalsis, the muscular contractions that propel waste through your digestive tract, is dependent on adequate fiber and water intake which keep the muscles strong. It’s important to consume fiberless foods like dairy products, meats and most flour-based foods, with substantial amounts of vegetables to keep all waste moving efficiently. The longer peristalsis has been compromised, the weaker the colon is, and the longer it can take to rehabilitate it. Think of enemas and colonics as water aerobics for your colon.
You will need a standard enema kit consisting of a 2 qt. bag with hose, rectal nozzle and lubricant. These are available at Amazon for about $20 if your drugstore doesn’t carry them.
Connect the hose and nozzle to the bag. Clamp the tubing and fill bag with tap water, then play with the clamp, stopping and starting flow until you are comfortable with its operation. When you know how to control the water flow, clamp the tubing and fill the bag with warm (80-100degrees F.) filtered water. Open clamp to clear all air from tubing, then clamp again. Most oils or vaseline jelly can be used for a lubricant. It doesn’t have to be sterile – the nozzle isn’t entering a sterile place. Put enough oil on nozzle to prevent friction when inserting. Hemorrhoid creams also make good lubes.
Hang the full enema bag so that the bottom of it is about 18 inches above your hips. A sturdy string or small rope tied to the bag’s hook so it can hang from a doorknob works well. You can do the enema on the bathroom floor or in your bath tub. Old towels can provide padding and leakage protection for easy clean-up.
You don’t want to eat right before the enema but good hydration is a must. You can absorb alot of the enema water from your colon if your cells are thirsty. Lie on your back or your left side with towel under your bottom. Gently insert the lubricated nozzle into anus 1-3 inches. Open clamp so that water flows into rectum. If you can’t feel it within 10-15 seconds, reposition nozzle gently until you feel the water entering. If you’re leaking, you can slow down the water flow with the clamp, or you can lower the bag so it is closer to the level of your hips. You can start and stop the flow repeatedly as needed for comfort, or to minimize leakage until the desired volume is inside of you.
Get on the toilet and release. This can be a bit messy, and the more you practice, the easier it gets. Sometimes it’s best to try 8 ozs of water first and release, and then another 8-16 ozs and release. Repeat attempts will depend on how much stool you’re releasing and your comfort. A professional colonic can deliver > 6 qts of water over an hour, so a total of 2 qts in small doses is very safe for your home enemas.
Try to keep your hands from touching the nozzle once it’s been in the anus. Do your best to keep any waste water from contaminating other surfaces, especially your pee hole. If you do manage to splash yourself with stool, clean everything well to keep bacteria from bladder entrance.
If nothing comes out except the water you put in, try another 16 ozs. Sometimes the stool is too hard and the bowel too weak for normal evacuation of enema water and stool. (I have stories.) Some people even have large masses of stool blocking entrance to the rectum, and nothing comes out except brown water. Stool can actually plug up the nozzle upon insertion so it has to be cleaned out before trying again. Be patient and keep at it, or call someone with expertise on this subject for advice.
If you have hemorrhoids, a little bleeding can occur, just as when you push out large or hard stool. This is fine, but keep area clean and consult with a professional if more than a tiny amount of bleeding occurs.
Happy Detox!
Carla Anderson, R.N.
Colon Detoxification Specialist
All information contained in this blog post is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is neither intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment nor for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.