Enema for Cold or Flu

I don't care of it helps or not. If it makes an enema happen, it can't be bad.

This is akin to enemas in the 50's.

"Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning", seemed to be age old responses when the doctor was called regarding a sudden illness or injury. In our house in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, when mom or grandma called the doctor's office towards the end of the usual workday, the response from Dr. Ross or his nurse Marge was, "Take/or give a couple of aspirin and an enema" and call back in the morning.

Dr. Ross was not adverse to making a housecall. We kids seldom saw him at the office, except when a regularly scheduled exam was needed. Nurse Marge handled many of the phone calls and knew what the doctor's schedule looked like. She was also a strong advocate for those treatments that we kids often resisted, but expected. One topic always covered early in any visit or call was, when was his or her last BM. Mom wanted to have an answer in all cases. She knew that a BM was expected to occur daily, and we kids were expected to deliver, or else it was "ENEMA TIME".

I realize that enemas have become the bane of many people, and that they are relegated to the status of "last resort" in homes, clinics, and hospitals. To say their use has been debunked as a viable treatment, or an old wives tale in dealing with illness or health concerns, is just as overbroad as our belief that an enema is a "cure all" for whatever ails us. Times have changed, but many of us still find that simple solution to many of the symptoms we endure in sickness and in health. I've posted many times that an enema sure beat those blue and yellow pills when virility was a challenge. It has been said that I exhibited "animalistic" reactions in bed after a wonderful session as part of foreplay.

I peruse Wayback Machine & Google Books now and then. It's amazing how the medical profession, prior to the 80's, believed in the efficacy of enemas!

@Jacana I’ve also wondered why water from the bottom up seems more hydrating than water from the top down, because this is something I’ve noticed even when I’m not sick and think I’ve been reasonably hydrated.

The job of the large intestine is water recapture. I have to guess that water introduced that way is pulled into circulation more quickly because it doesn’t have to go through the stomach and small intestine first. Volume-per-volume, maybe it’s just a faster absorption rate? Meanwhile, I’m still drinking the amount of water I normally would, so the enema gives me a leg up on total hydration volume, too, or so I think.

I know when I take a maintenance enema my skin looks better for the next 4 hours or so; I assume that’s related.

I’m sure your enema solution matters here. I should note I don’t use anything that would pull water out of my body and into my gut. Since childhood I’ve had a very twitchy vagus nerve; osmotic laxatives or a Fleet have me counting bathroom tiles between dry heaves and wishing for the angel of death. I do use baking soda in my enemas, but I measure more like a chef, less like a baker, and will guess the concentration is a little less than isotonic. This works for me as I don’t do true series, long holds, or heroic volumes, and I think I pick up a refreshing but not brain-endangering volume of water.

When sick with a viral infection and definitely feeling dehydrated, I decrease my enema volume (so less urgency) and increase my hold time by 5-10 minutes. I think this makes me absorb even more water. Then I take a little more warm water when my hold is up to aim for a smooth and comfortable expulsion. I really do end up feeling at least somewhat better when done.

Not a cold or 'flu, but four decades ago, in Africa I contracted jaundice. I recovered so much more quickly than everyone; doctors, health homr care etc expected. The reason? Enemas ...

All ways got enemas if ill from my mother

I grew up in a home where my mom and grandmother thought enemas were the "cure all/prevent all" for what might ail you. I was given an enema every Wednesday and Saturday growing up and was hardly ever sick. Although Medical Science would likely disagree with me, I think enemas do keep you healtly. I continued the two per week enema practice as an adult for my husband and myself. Both of us have not experienced any form of illness for many years.

However, I recently began having the typical symptoms of a nasty cold after being exposed in close quarters to hundreds of people some of which were coughing and sneezing. That same day I was absolutely drenched in a nasty cold rain and not able to change out of my wet clothes until that evening. Add in a flight home with coughing and sneezing people in close proximity, I evidently caught at least one person's cold.

When I got home I took an extra enema series (soap and rinse) before going to bed and the next morningand the cold symptoms had disappeared completely and I felt great.

Bottom line at least for me, is that twice a week enemas seem to keep me healthy. There are of course very desirable "side effects" as well. Denise

Feel a lot better every time after a good clean out.

@Sweetest_Relief I think it’s the combination of hydration and deep rest that a good enema provides that helps me get over colds or flu a little faster.

For many years, my family's primary care doctor was a woman who we affectionally called "Dr. Grams." She was a family physician for 51 years until she retired. Whenever one of us was sick enough to call her or needed an office visit, she reminded us to "rest and hydrate," especially if running a fever. She always asked, "Is (the patient's name) comfortable?" It wasn't unusual that she would suggest an enema to clear the lower bowel, which would help the one of us who was sick to relax and rest.