Word at the office is that a cold virus going around, and I was starting to feel it. I wanted to combine some potential prevention with my enjoyment of a lower gut wash, so I decided last night to prep and take an herbal enema.
I picked some yarrow and started a decoction boiling I 2qts of tap water. I have a bunch of ginger on hand so I 'fig'ured, why not toss a little into the brew. The two herbs are often used together medicinally. I sliced a knob a little larger than my thumb, skin and all, added it to the pot and simmered 40 minutes.
The resulting solution strained to one quart of dark liquid. I tasted it; strong but not overpowering, the yarrow evident with the ginger in the background.
I cleaned out with a 1.5 liter Epsom and soda enema, then a 2.5 liter plain water rinse, both held for about 10 minutes.
I was looking forward to retaining the herbal preparation for 40 minutes. It was only 1 liter and I usually hold 2quarts of a mild solution like coffee for at least that long without issue.
Upon inserting the douche nozzle I felt the tingle. A moment further in I was surprised at how far up my rectum the slight stinging sensation extended. I seemed be able to sense it well into my sigmoid. It wasn't unpleasant, just a much greater sensation than most other solutions.
I moved to the bed for my planned retention, but from the onset I knew this would be a challenge. I rolled around, clenched, stretched, and braced in a desperate attempt to retain. I made it 4 minutes. I ran to the toilet beginning to spurt as I turned and squatted. There was no way that single liter was going to stay in any longer.
It was a good experience, just not what I'd planned. I've figged on a couple of occassion and found that enjoyable, so I expected warmth and tingle, but not the overwhelming urge to void. There was no cramping, but it was definitely the one of the most desperate needs to evacuate I've sensed. Could be lots of fun, another good reason for me to pick up a balloon nozzle.