New Year’s Eve morning, actually. I woke up with a queasy stomach. We went to two after Christmas parties with friends. Too much “intake” for my system, not enough “going out.” I was feeling it.
How many women today, feeling like I did, bloated with an upset stomach, would consider an old-fashioned home remedy like an enema? How many women even have an enema bag these days, a “companion” they can turn to for relief when they are not feeling well? Rhetorical questions for which I have no clue.
So, in the early morning hours of New Year’s Eve, I told my sleepy husband that I would be in the bathroom for a while. I covered my yoga mat with an old comfy bath towel, laid on my left side, took some deep breaths and inserted a soft tube just to a comfortable length. With slow, deep breathing, I managed to retain nearly 2 quarts of warm water mixed with teaspoons of sea salt, and baking soda for more than 10 minutes, resulting in three satisfying releases. No extra curricular benefits, just a straightforward warm water enema to relieve some queasiness and give my G.I. system a gentle kick.
My husband asked how I was feeling after. “Yes, better.” It’s a common response among those of us who take enemas, and once again in my case, it was accurate.