Enemas expunged from books on alternative health care

Following my afternoon library search of alternative medicine publications, I could not help but notice that there was absolutely no mention of enemas in any publications printed in the past two decades. It's as though the very word has been relegated to the fetish world alone.

Then we have become a VERY exclusive group!! The world just doesn't know what it's missing!

And what a special word it is for us indeed!

I have also found that references to enemas has diminished over the last few decades. Many of the “natural” health texts still do cover the use of enemas as a viable adjunct to improving one's health. Often, coffee and herbal solutions are the more common suggestions. Those who espouse “raw” foods and “juicing” also cover enemas.

Google Books and The Wayback Machine are great online libraries that cover older as well as more recent subjects. Barnes and Noble stocks newer books and texts, as do the Natural Food Stores. One store near me has well educated clerks and cashiers who are well versed in enema usage and I've enjoyed some wonderful interactions. When approached while perusing their educational section, if asked if they can help me, I will tell them that I am interested in enemas. Some have been very helpful and outgoing, and have gone so far as showing me their available enema bags and buckets as well as soap and herbal additives. One clerk even printed a provider list of colon hydro-therapists who don't advertise in the typical public eye.

While the subject has diminished, I wouldn't say it has been expunged. Often an index check will reveal any references to enemas.

Enemas are slowly disappearing. Years ago, the drugstore had bulb enemas, traveling bag and the combination fountain douche / enema. Now, if you go to the drugstore, you are lucky to find the combination douche / enema bag. A few years ago, I found just one and it was hidden on a bottom shelf. It seems like items to be used in the rectum are slowly disappearing from the shelves.

It seems like items to be used in the rectum are slowly disappearing from the shelves.

While there are some younger members here I think for the most part the younger generation doesn't use those types of products. Medical professionals look down on their use and seldom prescribe them. They are looked upon as an invasive unnecessary procedure and have been phased out of things like childbirth and prep for surgery.

They are looked upon as an invasive unnecessary procedure and have been phased out of things like childbirth and prep for surgery.

Many times they were also found to be completely unnecessary. There's no reason for your colon to be empty before a surgery unless it's specifically colon-related, for example. I honestly can't even imagine what the purpose was.

Enemas have somewhat disappeared over the last few decades for a couple of reasons:

Our society has become “throw away” and “no cleanups”. This is evident from fast food to disposable enemas to many other products. A good enema bag is a once in a couple of decade sale and they take a lot of shelf space.

Also, the word ‘enema’ has been replaced by different, but essentially equal, words like ‘colon cleansing’ ‘detoxification’

There are certainly no shortage of good enema bags, but they are almost all made overseas. Except perhaps for car tires, the US rubber industry is dead. Most things that traditionally were made of rubber are now made of plastic.

Many times they were also found to be completely unnecessary. There's no reason for your colon to be empty before a surgery unless it's specifically colon-related, for example. I honestly can't even imagine what the purpose was.

Back in the day they cleaned you out before surgery just so you wouldn't start out needing a bowel movement. It was preventative medicine.

Back in the day they cleaned you out before surgery just so you wouldn't start out needing a bowel movement. It was preventative medicine.

I'm sure part of that went away with the increasingly short recovery periods then.

I'm sure part of that went away with the increasingly short recovery periods then.

That and they are just out of fashion

I have a book passed down to me that has an entire chapter on proper enema giving and castor oil plasters .

Its called back to Eden, I think ,I can look tommorow .

It seems like items to be used in the rectum are slowly disappearing from the shelves.

If an item doesn't sell fast enough and in a certain quantity…it isn't stocked on the shelves.

There are other less invasive ways to empty ones colon, for whatever the reason, on the market that people choose before using an enema. The results are the same, but there is less prep, less work, and can be much easier to use.

I had an IVP a few years ago (actually over 30 years ago - just seems like yesterday!). The prep was for me to do an enema the morning of the procedure to empty the bowel - the nurse even asked if I had properly prepped. I just looked up IVP prep procedures and they all specify laxative, chemical, suppository, etc. preps - no mention of enemas. It seems like (almost) all bowel prep for a medical procedures today is done chemically. Enemas seem to be out of favor for medical out-patient or in-patient prep.

Fleet enemas are available - but very rarely used - in hospitals as a last resort for extreme constipation relief. I know my wife got one once about 15 years ago.

Fleet enemas are available - but very rarely used - in hospitals as a last resort for extreme constipation relief. I know my wife got one once about 15 years ago.

In the last few years, I’ve had several doctor ordered Fleet enemas for mostly urological procedures like, prostate biopsies, prostate seed placement procedures, etc. These always work very quickly in cleaning me out!

The drug companies make nothing from enemas. Chemical enemas, so to speak, are profitable. So…between the doctors frowning on enema use, since they cannot control it and pharma companies it's no wonder simple, effective and ultra low cost alternatives are shoved off the book and pharmacy shelves. Gotta follow the money.

I would agree that there is some expungement going on..But surprisingly there's a good amount of “how to” info/videos on enemas that comes directly from genuine medical sources on the web. It's a strange Ying/Yang--like scenario. Basically it's the same 1950's--60's enema with a 2021 “socially correct” twist…

I had a prostate biopsy done a while back and elected to have it done under general anaesthesia. Yeah, yeah I know I'm a wuss! Butt (he he) getting to the point at hand, my instructions for prep prior to the procedure was to do an enema. Thinking back I believe that it called for a fleet enema. I called the doctors office and said that they had never seemed to work for me and could I just take a bag enema instead. The answer I got, nonplussed, was that they saw no reason why that wouldn't be completely satisfactory.

I've posted elsewhere that bowel prep for urology procedures has been common for me. IVP, Cystoscopy, KUB, Lithotripsy, and Abdominal CT were common over the last 30 years. My urologist usually provided laxatives and instructions for the prep. Because I didn't want to take the night off (graveyard shift) prior to an AM procedure, I had inquired about just taking an enema. The doctor agreed and explained that an empty bowel was better for spotting stones which I frequently grew. He did suggest some anti-gas pills as well.

His nurse thought it rather unusual that I preferred an enema, but agreed that it was more expedient than waiting for the laxatives to work. She said that most patients throw a fit at any bowel preps for urinary tract procedures.

Not really “Expunged”

Just not included in what is being pushed hard by the market now.

Not having done any literature search, I can't say one way or another. Don't most alternative/naturopath medical care providers still advocate enemas for cleansing, detox, and herbal medicine administration? Small town her around 100K - but 4 colon hydrotherapy specialty establishments plus maybe some more naturopath Drs. that may use or advocate them.

Retailers are just following the current medical “Truths”, i.e. enemas are of no medical efficacy except in a few narrow situations. There is no health benefit. I think most of us on Zity disagree with that opinion. Enemas are beneficial for a number of reasons, mental as well as physical. Also, if they are done with common sense caution, they are safe.

I really do not agree. I had a prostate biopsy last fall. I was told to use a fleet enema before. Go into any drug store and why some no longer sell enema bags or combination bags, there are many facings of fleet like enemas. Giving a bag a enema for most people is a “lost art”. I personally hate Fleet enemas. If forced to use one, I empty out the contents and just fill my self with 4 or 5 or 6 bottles of water if I cannot use a bag.

Retailers are just following the current medical “Truths”, i.e. enemas are of no medical efficacy except in a few narrow situations. …….. Also, if they are done with common sense caution, they are safe.

Retailers don't sell enema bags any more because they don't turn over fast enough to be profitable. The lack of demand is probably driven by the medical “Truths” that convinces people there isn't a health benefit. But if they sold - medical “Truth” or not - retailers would stock them!!

Agree that enemas are safe with common sense. Plus they are a lot of fun!!! Fortunately, the internet (currently) provides multiple sources for enema supplies.

Retailers are just following the current medical “Truths”, i.e. enemas are of no medical efficacy except in a few narrow situations. There is no health benefit. I think most of us on Zity disagree with that opinion. Enemas are beneficial for a number of reasons, mental as well as physical. Also, if they are done with common sense caution, they are safe.

Soapy4me, you're right on target! From purely a clinical perspective, enemas have helped me physically and mentally so many times since I began taking them recovering from an accident and multiple surgeries 37 years ago. Common sense, being cautious – absolutely!

Yes, I've had a legitimate GI condition (one of those “narrow situations”) where cleansing and retention enemas are in fact recommended by doctors, but my big SURPRISE through the years has been how taking an enema often helps reduce my stress when the mental affects the physical. There's a definite connection between my brain and my “gut.”

@Soapy4me and @Vicki_V

My opinion is that enemas do not have any real therapeutic benefit other than constipation relief. However, they do have a relaxing effect, enjoyable release, soothing feeling that certainly can make one feel a lot better which can be a secondary health benefit. We may differ on “why” enemas are beneficial to your health - but I agree they have can make you feel better and take your mind off other problems. Much like exercise, meditation, sex can release endorphins which make you feel better, enemas can do the same. Just my humble, uneducated, probably prejudiced, not based on any science opinion! 😡

Are you sure it's not just the word “enema”?

I think, due to a lot of advertising dollars, enema has become a dirty word. If a modern person can't poo, they reach for one of the heavily touted laxative products, like Senokot or Dulcolax or reach for a disposable like a Fleet or the generics. A package or two of either costs about the same as an enema bulb or bag and either will make someone poo swiftly for decades.

Also, the holistic people are often very open to coffee enemas, and a wide variety of equipment is touted and sold designed for them. Virtually all of the silicone bags and the stainless steel cans, as well as many of the higher quality Asian disposable bags (and kits including coffee) are directed to this market.

Finally, colon hydrotherapy is little different than a series of warm water enemas, except you don't have to sit on the toilet to poo after every fill. The holistic community certainly favors those.

Hollistic treatments are seen as a joke by the mainstream, keep that in mind. Coffee enemas are “alternative” (as in, not based in any evidence) medicine, and Wikipedia mentions there are zero benefits and can be dangerous. These things are seen as scams and money grabs, or the sorts of thing you'd expect a whackjob antivaxx naturopath chiropractor to recommend.

Though, that wikipedia page gave me some insight.

The rationale for using enemas can be traced back the earliest medical texts, to the prescientific misconception that the accumulation of faeces in the intestines can lead to autointoxication and that the "cleansing" of intestines can prevent that.

The practice of colon cleansing experienced a renaissance in the 1990s, and at this time, coffee enemas were used as alternative cancer treatments.[6] Their frequent use are features of Gerson therapy and Kelley therapy, ineffective alternative cancer therapies.[7] Their use is promoted with claims they can "detoxify" the body by boosting the function of the gallbladder and liver. Such claims are not supported by evidence.[8] In 2018, Gwyneth Paltrow's company goop.com was promoting coffee enema kits, one of a number of questionable medical products it has sold.[9]

So, basically, enemas as treatment for anything other than occasional constipation has always been pseudoscience, and for some reason in the early 1900s through the 50s there was a resurgence in belief in that having poop in your colon is bad or something. I like the use of the word “prescientific”. The era when people hadn't quite figured out cause and effect in medicine, grouping it with purging and the “humors” and whatnot.

@arika

I do agree that enemas are now perceived as a joke by many. So are douches for that matter, and the word has become a derogatory term, except in their ads.

An enema syringe is available for $15 or less and lasts decades. With little effort and time, it'll make anyone poo within minutes with little straining and is an existential threat to the $1.5 billion annual US laxative industry.

As with a number of other things, a few nonsense claims have completely distorted the factual picture.

Give me information on laxative lobbyists and I'll consider that as one of the contributing factors, lol. (I'm serious, lobbyists have control over the weirdest thing, if it really was the laxative industry we'd have information on advertising and where information to not use enemas came from.)