What is the point of the mineral oil in some of the "funny solution" enemas?

I've seen some recipes that call for mineral oil included in a small enema, mixed with other ingredients such as glycerin, docusate and (usually) saline.

It seems as though the mineral oil wouldn't be in the bowel long enough to do anything except make a mess out of your equipment and the toilet.

Is there any point to the oil? I guess I could see it as a small enema given and retained for 15-20 minutes, but that's probably not going to happen with these, especially with ones like the one that called for 200mL each of saline, glycerin and mineral oil.

Other than being used for laxative, I wouldn't want the mess in my equipment either.

I tried one once for the thrills, never again. Believe the original purpose of these was to provide additional lubrication and stool softening in hard core impacted constipation situations. They are nasty, messy and particularly effective that way. Very prone to "accidents" even hours afterward. You may think you're all emptied out of the oil, but you're not. Beware of that "fart" you think you have coming - it isn't a fart, and by the time you realize it, you'll need a change of underwear!

What Agasmic says is correct.

I have used oils as an ingredient in enemas and even a 2.5 quart pure olive oil enema many years ago.

I HATE OILS.

They mess the bathroom, toilet, equipment/bags and hoses and its a pain in the ass to clean, not to mention anal oil leakage.

Use at your peril.

Agasmic wrote... Beware of that "fart" you think you have coming - it isn't a fart, and by the time you realize it, you'll need a change of underwear!

Years ago I read of a scary German roller coaster named "The Damp Fart" or similar when translated. Couldn't help adding this as it sums up my thoughts perfectly on the side effect of an oil enema : )

What Agasmic says is correct.

I have used oils as an ingredient in enemas and even a 2.5 quart pure olive oil enema many years ago.

I HATE OILS.

They mess the bathroom, toilet, equipment/bags and hoses and its a pain in the ass to clean, not to mention anal oil leakage.

Use at your peril.

Not planning on trying one of these, as I don't let it get far enough to become hard-core impactions, and even my worst bouts have responded to an easier-to-clean-up-after enema (or two or three). I still find it hard to believe that the mineral oil will stay around long enough to do any good when mixed with 200mL glycerin and saline - that enema is going to want out FAST!

I tried a mineral oil enema some time back. Probably won't do that again. I was in the local drugstore scanning the shelf while waiting for a prescription. I am not a fan of the saline enemas, like the Fleet, but next to it on the shelf were some Fleet Mineral Oil Enemas. If I remember, the box was orange rather than the usual green. After reading the box I decided to try one.

I remember it to be very soothing going in, and no strong urge to expel like other enemas. After at least an hour I expelled and it was easy and smooth coming out. It does indeed soften and lubricate your poop. I did not have any soapy enemas immediately after that to clean out the remaining oil. Big mistake! As others here have said, do not dare to fart. The results are not pretty. I eventually took several cleansing enemas to get rid of the residual oil. Now I just skip the mineral oil and go right to a real enema. Much better.

Mineral oil enemas can be effective if one is very impacted. While it is a pretty "old school" method, the oil can be soothing to an otherwise sore anus if one has hemorrhoids etc. I can't imagine taking a mineral oil enema without the recommended cleansing enemas thereafter.

Some old texts suggest taking the oil before bed and using a sanitary pad if leakage is likely. The cleansing enemas are then used in the morning.

I actually like administering a couple of the Fleet mineral oil enemas and holding the recipient over my lap for 15 to 30 minutes before a big, soapy enema. It helps with focus.

I've had a couple, usually coupled with a spanking, pre-"real" enema. Not my favorite, but wouldn't say no to them.

Most or all of these examples are a small oil enema on its own and retained for a while to help soften and lubricate, which does make sense if you have a very hard, impacted bowel. What I'm talking about are ones with creative names such as SMOG and Bubblegum, where the oil is mixed up with other ingredients that will provoke a rapid intestinal reaction, probably within 5 minutes, so the oil isn't going to be in the body for very long to soften the movement. Those seem pretty pointless - you'd probably be better off mixing in a dollop of K-Y for lubrication and saving the mess.

I've used mineral oil enemas several times in the past. They help to relieve hemorrhoids and that, along with some curiosity, is why I used them.

My first time using one was not good. I used 2 fleets mineral oil enemas. Everything went well, they were comfortable and easy going in and I retained for about 20 mn, maybe longer, it wasn't hard at all to hold. I expelled, and everything seemed to come out and I felt good.

I didn't do any rinse or follow up thinking the oil would help with a fissure which was bothering me and it did. I went to bed and got up and expelled a little more the next morning. I felt great and went to wk with no problems. Later in the day I had some gas, but thought nothing of it. Then, after I got home and undressed, I noticed a large spot in the back of my pants. I was horrified.

I used them a few times after that, but always used a soap sol followed by plain water to follow up. I never had any problems when I washed out afterwards, but that first time was enough to make me think twice about doing it again. Fortunately, I havnt had any problems that would lead me to use the oil in the first place and my curiosity is satified.

For years, my mother kept a bottle of mineral oil in the refrigerator, apparently to make hard stools move better. But I never was given it. Instead, a classic soapy cleanout did the trick, and faster.

I had mineral oil orally on a daily basis for many years. First the absolutely disgusting clear plain kind (I have no desire to take it ever again), then a sort of white emulsion vanilla flavored thing that was much better. Condremul or something like that (edit: it was called Kondremul). That and Metamucil, which I remember congealing into an awful mush (I'm back on that stuff now but get it down before it congeals). I'm not sure how well the oral mineral oil of either kind really helped. Based on recollections of hard, toilet clogging BMs and other measures I don't think it did much.

Never had mineral oil as an enema, though.

Like others, I've tried mineral oil Fleet enemas. As near as I can tell, the purpose of the oil is to make a mess and make your life miserable for 24 hours or so, as you have to go to the loo to fart, because a bolus of mineral oil feels just like a fart, and you'll be passing residual mineral oil for hours. The only other choice is a series of strong SSE's to wash the oil out. I learned my lesson, and you can learn from my mistakes.

Mineral oil loosens the stool and is meant to be held for awhile then followed with another enema, preferably soapy. It is injected for hard impaction and is absorbed by the stool. There is no urge to release it. I detailed the procedure in the story “Sister in law Surprise”

If you just do mineral oil better wear a diaper and don't fart because you will have an oil slick in your shorts.

The mineral oil in some small volume enemas doesn't stay in the recipient for long enough to soften the poo, which typically takes overnight, but it does lubricate the surface of hard poo and the passage, so the hard poo is easier to pass out. The glycerin or Epsom salt or soap or other stimulants promptly cause contractions which push the now slippery poo out.

My personal favorite is the mineral oil and Dulcolax enema, made by dissolving two Dulcolax suppositories in a bottle of Fleet mineral oil enema. Warming the oil helps the suppositories dissolve. Do not use Magic Bullets… they won't dissolve in the oil.

This enema works best if given in the knee chest position and becomes impossible to hold within minutes. An easy, complete poo follows very soon, even if you are pretty constipated.

My mother used to give us 1 or 2 spoonfuls of mineral oil orally to “lube up” the digestive tract. tasted terrible!

@gwhap

Mineral oil has a nasty texture and is hard to get down but is usually pretty tasteless. It is sometimes confused with Cod Liver Oil, which does taste yukkie.

There are tricks used to get mineral oil into kids to keep their poo soft. One I recall is to make grilled cheese sandwiches which can absorb a lot of the oil and apparently kids like eating them. The down side is mineral oil reportedly absorbs some at soluble vitamins and they get pood out.

@gwhap

There are tricks used to get mineral oil into kids to keep their poo soft.

A popular technique in the past was to squirt mineral oil on pop corn while it was still hot. In some instances a mix of mineral oil and butter were pressed into service.

@sean @Victoria1951

Thanks! I think i probably had each at different times I hated the oily feel and distinctly remember a bad taste so that must have been caster oil. My mom wasn’t creative enough to put it on popcorn, we got spoonfuls right from the bottle! 😊

I’ve used mineral oil as a finish on cutting boards and a wooden toy truck for my grandson mixed with bees wax. Works well and is safe.

I discovered a good recipe using a Fleet enema syringe. I fill it half way with mineral oil, then add one ounce of vegetable based liquid glycerin and fill it up with more mineral oil. The oil softens and the glycerin creates an urge to go that grows until you can no longer retain it. While waiting for it to work, I prepare a soapy enema of two or three liters. Afterwards a warm salty enema to wash the soap out.

@gwhap

Castor Oil is very different.

If you got Mineral Oil, it should have been given at bedtime. A couple of spoonfuls would have been about the appropriate dose. If you got that, it'd only have softened your poo, helping you pass formed poo in the morning. It's action is very gentle and you'd probably feel no urge from it. But, when you sat on the toilet your poo would pretty much slide out when you relaxed. It's unlikely you'd have pood sloppy stuff.

Cod Liver Oil is essentially a vitamin supplement. It has a nasty, fishy taste. If you got this, it would have had little effect on your pooing, because, I believe, the oil gets digested hence doesn't end up as oil in your bowel. The digestion products are probably not laxative, so nothing much happens.

Castor Oil is a very different matter. It isn't usually given at bedtime because it can work in five hours, or less. The oil gets digested, releasing some very irritating chemicals that cause strong GI cramping, followed promptly by an intense urge to poo. If you resist an accident is probable. If you've had Castor Oil, even in a small dose, postponing a poo soon is not an option. Castor Oil pretty much empties your bowel, end to end, hard, soft, and liquid, within minutes after it starts working. With Castor Oil, there is no question if you will poo; it's just a matter of when. It can be sooner or later. But you'll have no choice.

@gwhap My mother used to give us 1 or 2 spoonfuls of mineral oil orally to “lube up” the digestive tract. tasted terrible!

Reading this brings back a memory I had forgotten. My mom did the same thing! Perhaps doing this in the late 1940's was popular. Don't know how much it helped, as I still got soapy bulb enemas from time to time.

I've given a few oil enemas to my Love over the years… The oil enema was given after a series of SSE (3 bags). Served as a deep lube job… The oil enema was given just before anal sex; & provided she had the next day off for obvious reasons. In order to prepare such an enema, I would place a glass jar filled with oil into the center of a pot filled with water on the stove… This was to warm the oil up… Then let it cool down enough; prior to giving the enema. & I use a metal/glass irrigator to administer the ‘oil’ enema. That way I don't destroy any of my prize rubber enema bags. PS: You do NOT want to give more than 7 oz. of oil in a session; or the recipient of the enema may need to take off from work for a few days…

We have done mineral oil enemas for a “l done it” reason. Was different l will admit. We took the drugstore bottles and placed them in a sink full of straight hot water and warmed them. Refilled sink several times for temp purposes. Used one of our old disposable hospital bags to administer. Oil ran SLOW!!! Took in the shoulders down butt up position. Felt quite good. Really didn't feel overly intrusive at all. Just different. Then took a 2qt warm water enema behind it to push it deeper and held with a plug. Release was quite unique!! Took all day. After about 3 releases l was up to using a Tampax Super and pad so l would not have any stains for the day. Didn't dare go anywhere that day or night. Done it on a Friday night so we had all weekend to deal with any disasters.

We have used a Fleet mineral oil to slightly lubricate the way for a large or long colon tube before. Used the Fleet 1 time to lubricate a lady anally for my husband's cock which she really wanted to take at a party.

@paula: Didn't dare go anywhere that day or night. Done it on a Friday night so we had all weekend to deal with any disasters.

Brings back the “joys” (not) of using mineral oil. Truly a terrible experience that I will not do again!

Rectal mineral oil is asking for a YUCK day and/or night afterwards. Better use a tampon and feminine pad to help prevent a mess. Or maybe a diaper, LOL.

Taken orally, mineral oil is a safe and effective lubricant laxative which in my case does not cause any after mess. I don't use it often, but if in a couple of days Miralax doesn't get me moving again after high volume enemas, mineral oil works for me.

And yes I know it's a petroleum distillate. I would perhaps worry about that if I was 30 again. In my 70's and using it only once in a while, I am not too concerned about it.

Brings back the “joys” (not) of using mineral oil. Truly a terrible experience that I will not do again!

I've given them, usually with a can so as to not ruin a bag. Followed that up with a soapy then a rinse and didn't have any leakage problems later. They are more trouble than they are worth in my opinion.