Coagulating Ingredients

I recently received (first time I’ve ever been given an enema by someone else - a story for another time) an enema containing 1 quart Dr Bronners peppermint solution, one quart Epsom salts solution and one quart glycerine solution.

Apart from being a tough enema to ride out I also noticed that all the ingredients seemed to cause a sort of coagulation (not sure if that’s the right word) where the solution left fairly thick residue inside the bag and hoses. Obviously I had to clean them afterwards, which was a pain, but I also wondered whether this might have an impact internally too?

Why does this happen and are there any other mixtures that cause the same results?

The epsom salts with the glycerine and epsom salts with soap will cause a white precipitate to form.

It ISN'T the combination of the three ingredients. The culprit is the epsom salts.

Thanks Suzie. Do you think this will have any impact on my insides or the effectiveness of the enema?

Are there any other solutions to avoid this kind of thing?

If you want a strong enema to really clean you out, use Susie's Very Rough Ride Enema. It forms a solution where everything dissolves with no precipitates.

The precipitate you have noticed is more a pain in the butt when it comes to cleaning the bag or mixing vessel. It doesn't hurt the body at all.

The precipitates are a result of the magnesium from the Epsom salts replacing the sodium or potassium in the soap, leading to (in your case) likely magnesium cocoate and sodium sulfate. Magnesium cocoate, tallowate, stearate... etc. are not soluble, so they precipitate out. There is nothing you can do to prevent this with these ingredients - it's the same as trying to find a way to mix baking soda and vinegar and not release carbon dioxide bubbles.

As Susie noted it is not hazardous, but it is a mess to clean up because the precipitate is insoluble.

If you want to have a similar effect without the reaction you can use a sodium compound. A couple tablespoons of baking soda per quart can work as long as you watch things, as holding on to high strength sodium chloride or bicarbonate solutions for too long (don't have times, but probably over an hour) can potentially lead to hypernatremia (too much sodium being absorbed). Reports I have seen have been for 1/4+ cups of baking soda retained for several hours in a older patient that wasn't in good health.

Another option that wouldn't absorb as much would be to use sodium phosphate. Easiest way would be to pour a Fleet-type enema or two in the bag. Again you don't want to hold onto it for more than about an hour, especially if you are not in good health.

Alternative 3, which would be safe for long holds but not as powerful, would be to use baby shampoo instead of soap.

Alternative 4, which is inconvenient but would be very powerful, would be to use docusate sodium in the enema. Recipes tossed around on here have up to 2 gms per liter or thereabout, which is just about the definition of "ass kicking"

The main reason for coagulating ingredients is calcium in the water. Also known as hard water.

Water softening systems from reputable companies DO work, and will typically need replacing about every 20 years.

If this is not practical for you then buying distilled water might be another option.

The main reason for coagulating ingredients is calcium in the water. Also known as hard water.

I’ve not had issues with any other ingredients before so I’m inclined to follow Suzie’s suggestion that it is the Epsom salts causing the coagulation, not hard water.

I like enemas but I’m not sure I’m prepared to install water softening kit to help with it!

I like enemas but I’m not sure I’m prepared to install a water softening kit to help with it!

We aren't going to install one either. It just isn't worth it to us.

Rain Water is soft water or you can buy a gallon of distilled water at the store pretty cheap. Get an enema rain barrel going and have it run off a tarp into the barrel. The water is also great to wash your hair with.