coffee enemas

Yep you read that right! An enema. With coffee in it. Yes - coffee the other end.

What are they?

The coffee enema is a thousands-year old procedure that has endless applications for vibrant health. It was once even listed in the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy until 1972 as a standard treatment. It was eventually removed but (apparently) only due to reasons of there being not enough room (and likely not mainstream enough anymore).

They are, as the name suggests an enema using coffee. 

Coffee enemas and the liver:

The liver is the body's main detoxification organ. Coffee enemas are one of the best ways of cleansing the liver and the colon, and speeding up detoxification processes in the body. All toxins must be processed by your liver, a near impossible job in our increasingly toxic world.

Coffee enemas provide a means for your liver to ‘dump’ its toxic load of chemicals, excess estrogen and other hormones, environmental toxins, our own metabolic waste, alcohol, drugs and heavy metals into the intestines for elimination. They are especially crucial if you have a chronic illness.

Why coffee?

The theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine in the coffee travel via the rich capillary bed of the rectum into the portal vein, which leads directly to the liver. These substances dilate the blood vessels and open up the bile ducts allowing the liver to release bile, which contains toxins.

Doctors at the University of Minnesota showed that coffee administered rectally also stimulates an enzyme system in the liver, which increases glutathione - the master antioxidant in the body, by 600%-700% above normal activity levels. Much cheaper than a glutathione supplement!

Can't I just drink it instead?

No. Well, yes you can but it won't have the benefits of the enema.

When we drink coffee our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated, however this suppresses liver function. When coffee is inserted rectally it stimulates a different set of nerves located in the lower colon. These nerves get 'turned on' by the caffeine which stimulates the liver via a reflex to release toxins and enhance detoxification processes. 

What are the benefits?

What coffee enemas may help with:

• constipation
• skin conditions – eczema, acne etc
• improved liver function
• fatigue – increasing energy
• headaches and migraines
• increased cellular energy
• better mood
• better sleep
• feel less toxic
• may help eliminate parasites and fungus' from the body
• brain fog – increasing alertness
• nausea (when liver related)
• stimulation and detoxification of congested bile ducts to support the liver
  

What do I need?

• *fresh organic coffee beans
• a coffee/spice grinder (a nutribullet also works)
• 4 cups of filtered water
• a pot
• a strainer
• a glass or metal jug (no plastic)
• a coffee enema kit
  

* it's really important to use organic because you are helping eliminate chemicals - not put more in.

How do I do it?

Grind 2 tablespoons of fresh organic coffee beans and place fine powder into the pot. Add 2 cups of filtered water and bring to the boil with the lid on. Let it boil for 2-3 minutes then simmer for a further 15 minutes with the lid off.

Remove from heat and pour into a jug using the strainer to prevent bits of coffee getting in. Add two cups of cold filtered water and pour into the enema bag. Use the strainer here again so it gets a double straining. Be really careful not to let the ground coffee bits at the end into the bag because it can clog the tube (awkward). You can add more cold water if you need to but you don't want it too cold, and you definitely don't want it too hot either, just warm. Obviously make sure the clip on your bag is secured so it doesn't run out all over the place before you're ready!

Now you're ready to go (“wahoo”, I hear you say with enthusiasm!)

You'll want to insert the enema in the bathroom where it wont matter if you spill some of the mixture (although don't worry, this generally is not a messy affair), and you need to have it hanging up high so the gravity allows it to flow easily. The shower curtain rail if you have one is ideal. 

Some people make themselves comfortable in the bathroom and lie down immediately after inserting it but you can go lie on your bed or somewhere more comfortable. Don't worry, you won't leak on your way there!

It's easiest inserted while you're on your hands and knees, and you'll want to lubricate both yourself and the end of the tube a bit first using coconut oil or something similar.

Once it's in, find a comfortable place to lie down for 15 minutes. Lie on your right side with your knees pulled up. If you feel you need to let it out before 12 minutes, try and hold on if you can. It's normal to feel like you need to release it but if you can get past this, it's ideal to leave for at least 12 minutes. You can go a little longer if you like 15-20 minutes. Distract yourself with a book, a podcast or some other soother. Try and relax - enjoy the good excuse to lie down and do nothing!

On your first few goes you may want to divide this mixture into two. Inserting half, lying down for 15 minutes, expelling and then repeating. Once you've done it a few times, and you feel comfortable you can do it all at once.

When should I do them?

The morning is best and preferably after you've been to the loo (if you're a morning person). If you're caffeine sensitive and prone to sleep issues don't do it too late in the day. If you're just starting out and never done one before, my advice would be to do it on a non-work day, so you're not rushed.

How often should I do them?

You can do 2-3/week when you're first starting out, possibly for the first month or two and then you might like to just do 1/week as a maintenance. If you feel better doing more than 1/week, go back to 2-3 for another month. Really you can do them as you feel you need. The Gerson therapy for cancer patients do 4/day, just to give you an idea of how often they can be done, but this is for chronically ill people.

How will I feel afterwards?

Honestly the thing you'll feel most immediately, is just that little bit clearer in the head. You may notice more energy, a spring in your step and you could feel lighter. While there are many immediate noticeable effects, it's really the long term benefits you're reaching for.

So there you have it, all you need to know about coffee the other end!

Give it a go, take the plunge(r).