Step Fifteen: Everything You Need to Know About Colon Cleansing

Have you ever gotten a colon cleanse? In this post we’ll discuss the benefits and potential risks, and side effects of the various types of colon cleansing methods, including:

• Colonics
• Enemas (including coffee enemas)
• Natural antimicrobial herbs
• Magnesium
• Herbal teas
• Laxatives
• Enzymes
• Probiotics

And at the end I’ll also share my favorite at-home colon cleansing kit!

This is the 15th post in a 20-part series about how to detox your body, life and spirit. Make sure to check out the first post in the series, which also lists all 20 steps of the detox program. You can also subscribe to be notified of future posts, and sign up to receive my free 67-page detox e-book.

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This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you were to purchase through one of my links, I would make a small commission at no extra charge to you. 

COLONICS

Colon irrigations work somewhat like an enema but they involve much more water. While you lie on a table, a low-pressure pump or a gravity-based reservoir flushes several gallons of warm water through a small tube inserted into your rectum and entering the colon.  The pressure promotes a reflexive contraction of colon muscles, called peristalsis. The contraction as well as the fluid pressure flush waste out of the colon.

Potential Benefits:

• Colonics are said to improve the body’s absorption of water and nutrients, as well as fight the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast in the colon. 
• Clears the colon for more efficient regulation of absorption and excretion.
• Allows for more bile dumping and release from the liver and gallbladder. 
• Enhances overall health.
• Healthier skin and luster.

Potential risks:

• Vomiting, nausea, cramps
• Dizziness, a sign of dehydration
• Mineral imbalance (which can be remedied by adding magnesium and potassium)
• Potential interference with medication absorption on day of procedure. Administer colonic away from medication intake.
• Depletion of helpful normal bowel flora unless replaced (i.e. probiotics). Replace via oral probiotics and rectal probiotic implants.

ENEMAS

Clinical evidence has indicated that enemas can treat or prevent a number of health issues that can arise from the  buildup of waste in the colon. Health issues include but are not limited to the following:

• Allergies
• Bad breath
• Back pain
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Indigestion
• Sinus problems
• Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

A coffee enema is a type of colon cleanse used in alternative medicine. During the procedure, a mixture of brewed, caffeinated coffee and water is inserted into the colon through the rectum. 

Research indicates that coffee enemas increase bile dumping in the intestines and release glutathione from the liver. There is also evidence to a broad range of increases in Phase 2 detoxification enzymes. (Source)

Coffee enema advocates list the following additional benefits:

• Boosts immunity
• Increase energy
• Stops yeast overgrowth
• Treats autoimmune diseases
• Removes parasites from the digestive tract
• Removes heavy metals from the body
• Treats depression

Colonics and enemas are each said to enhance overall health, promote detoxification, protect against constipation, improve digestion, and support weight loss.

Always ask your doctor if treatments are right for you. Certain treatments work best in collaboration with a healthcare professional to monitor and avoid potential harmful risks.

Risks & side effects of coffee enemas:

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Rectal and colon irritation
• Nausea
• Bacterial infection due to improper cleaning of equipment.

ADDITION COLON CLEANSING SUPPORT:

Antimicrobials

Natural antimicrobials include oregano oil, slippery elm, caprylic acid, black walnut hulls, bearberry extract, grapefruit seed extract, Pau’ D arco, Cat’s claw, coconut, kefir, kombucha, and apple cider vinegar.

Magnesium

Aside from being nature’s muscle relaxant, magnesium also has detoxification properties. Magnesium helps cleanse the bowels and clean out the colon most commonly found in the form of magnesium sulfate. I prefer the more absorbable form, magnesium bicarbonate. 

Herbal Teas

Milk thistle, burdock root, dandelion root, Licorice root and rosemary teas are great for assisting the colon as well as supporting the liver. 

Laxatives

There are many commercially available laxatives, I prefer natural 

mild laxatives over drug store brand laxatives. Examples of natural laxatives include:  Senna, apple pectin, leafy greens, aloe vera, psyllium husk, fennel seed, cascara, castor oil packs (externally over the abdomen), magnesium (Epsom salt), chia seeds and coffee.

Enzymes

Enzymes are one of the most natural ways to cleanse your digestive system and detoxify the body. Enzymes also support the immune system and assist in rebalancing of gut microbes

Probiotics

Probiotics are essential to gut health, when we have sufficient probiotics and healthy gut microbes are immune system can function properly and are guts remain in symbiosis. Dysbiosis occurs when our healthy flora is taken over by overgrowth of bacteria and/or fungi that colonize and infect the colon. By taking regular probiotics we can assist in the homeostasis of the microflora of the gut and eliminate dysbiosis. 

COLON CLEANSING OPTIONS AVAILABLE: 

My personal Favorite is an at home kit called the Implant-o-Rama, which is a product made of glass and silicone tubing.  When putting coffee, which is an acid, next to substandard plastic or rubber defeats the detoxification process as it leeches xenoestrogens and other toxic chemicals into the liquid. This system is completely non-reactive to coffee acids or ozone. The pump attached to the Implant ‘O Rama allows the liquid to be pushed in with a small amount of force, delivering the liquid to areas higher in the colon.

The alternative is to find a local colon hydrotherapist and schedule a series of appointments to get the flow going, pun intended. Always ask your healthcare professional when starting a new regimen to see if it is right for you!

If you enjoyed this 15th step in Dr S’s 20 Step Detox Program, make sure to:

• Subscribe to be notified of future posts
• Check out the first post in the series to read the full list of 20 Ways to Detox
• And download the free 67-page e-book to learn the entire program in full!

Dr. S, ND