Tips For Homemade Enema
Being constipated can be painful, uncomfortable, unhealthy and embarrassing. It hinders a regular, happy and healthy lifestyle. It is a symptom which may occur either due to obstructed defecation or colonic slow transit. In either type of cause, the methods of treatment are laxatives, enemas, changes in lifestyle and diet, and surgery. An enema can cleanse out the colon and evacuate the bowels. An enema is a practice in which liquids are introduced into the colon and rectum through the anus. As the volume of inserted liquid increases, the lower intestinal tract expands swiftly. This in turn, causes a bloated feeling and cramps to occur. The bowels will then be cleansed completely following a compelling and urgent need to pass bowel movement. While there are various numerous prepackaged enemas available in the market, a homemade enema kit can also be used.
While an enema can be administered in a clinic, many people find it embarrassing to be in such a compromising position and hence prefer self administration or the help of a partner. Nearly all enema ingredients are quite easily available. A homemade enema solution does not need any special ingredients, does not take time, or cost money. Hence it should not be difficult to make your own enema. While making your own enema solution, remember that it is best to go ahead with something that has been tried and tested at first, before trying out new stuff. While some of useful enema tips will help you get started, your own experience and preference will soon guide you in your own homemade enema. Please remember to prepare the location. It is best to choose a comfortable spot which can also be easily cleaned up. A bed is most generally used, but be sure to keep some towels handy. Having a toilet nearby will help. Arrange a place for hanging the enema bag. The elevation should be at least 2 feet higher than your bottom. Keep a thermometer, a lubricant, and some tap water nearby. You will need an enema bag. Disposable ones as well as reusable ones are readily available in the market. Though most disposable enema bags are sturdy enough to be reused several times, it is best not do so. You can even prepare your own homemade enema bag. You will need a good rubber tube, clamp and a clean container. Jus about any container will do, like a food or juice carton or a pastry icing bag, anything is fine. Ensure that you secure the tube in the bag using the clamp firmly. Test your bag with some warm water to ensure that there are no leakages.
In order to know how to make a homemade enema, you need to appreciate that there are different kinds of enemas and that they are all made differently. Homemade enema solutions of different types are:
- Castile Soap Enema: A castile soap is a soap which is made from coconut oil or olive oil and is hence gentler than regular soap. Castile soap can cause some irritation and cramping. Hence, it is best to follow up a castile soap enema with a regular water enema or a salt water enema. Castile soap is available in bar form or liquid form. When using a bar use approx. 1/12th of it and dissolve it in 1.5 liters of regular water. In case of the liquid variant, dissolve a 9 ml packet in 1.5 liters of regular water. Ensure that the water is kept warm. Your enema should ideally be at about 39o C, which is at about 102 Fahrenheit. Never over heat your enema. About 1 degree give or take is acceptable.
- Olive Oil Enema: An enema of olive oil can be used either with warm water or with warm milk. Use about 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1.5 liters of regular water. In case you are using milk, use 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 liter of regular water and half liter milk. Again, ensure your enema is warm at about 39o C. Olive oil enema benefits cannot be understated. Olive oil enema will help to soften hardened stool. This will allow a smother bowel evacuation. An olive oil enema will lubricate the rectum and feces which will result in an easier bowel movement. The disadvantage of using an olive oil enema is that even after the expulsion has taken place, a discharge can continue from the body for hours. This can result in stained clothes and discomfort. In order to prevent this, it is best to take a few soap water enemas in order to wash out the oil from the colon.
- Salt Water enema: A salt water enema contains salt and water. The addition of salt reduces the exchange of water to and from the colon. This, in turn, does not allow the kidney and the bladder to be filled with water. Once this is prevented, you will not feel the urge to urinate regularly while receiving the enema.
- Alcohol enema: Alcohol enemas can use beer, wine or even hard liquor. Alcohol is absorbed very quickly in the intestines as compared to the stomach. Hence you can get drunk very easily and very fast. Using alcohol in an enema can also cause alcohol poisoning which results in death. It is best to avoid an alcohol enema.
There are numerous other homemade enema recipes such as the coffee enema, milk and honey enema, barium enema, lemon juice enema and so on so forth.
Yoga has numerous health benefits. There are also yoga poses for constipation relief. The following are some yoga poses for constipation which can help to cure constipation.
Pavanamuktasana (The Wing Relieving Posture)
Firstly, lie on your back. Then, keeping your toes together, stretch out your legs. Keep your arms by your side. Inhale deeply. While exhaling, bend your left leg, and bring it towards your stomach. Hold it in your hands. Breathe deeply while raising your head and bring your chin close to the kneecap. Exhale and bring your head back on the floor. Breathe in and stretch your leg out. Repeat with the other leg.
Ardha Halasana (The Half Plough Posture)
Again, lie flat on your back. Stretching your legs, ensure that the toes are kept together. Keep the arms at your side with the palms facing downwards. Take a deep breath and press the palms down and raise your right leg slowly as high as possible. As you exhale, bring the leg down. Repeat with the other leg.
Ideally, you shouldn’t be making your own home enema unless you have been given the go-ahead from your doctor. This is because the colon is a delicate organ despite its potential and perceived strength. Should you not perform an enema in a sterile environment, you could end up sending bacteria up the intestinal tract and this can really be dangerous. Our intestinal tract allows only certain types of bacteria to set up a domicile. This privilege is given to enterobacteria like lactobacillus and E.Coli. This is because they actually serve functions like aiding in digestion. In fact, if bacteria like E.Coli were to exist in other parts of the body, a severe infection could result. This is the reason for some cases of acute prostatitis because of the proximity of the rectum and anus to the male prostate gland. Therefore, if you have to do this yourself, ensure that all the equipment is sterile first.
Enemas are used for a wide variety of purposes and some of them aren’t even medical in nature. Ideally, and medically, enemas are used to flush out the contents of the colon that might be blocked up due to constipation. Constipation is the result of digestion being so efficient that it causes feces to become so hard that the body just cannot expel it. This usually occurs due to a low-fiber diet, dehydration of the body, and low water intake after meals. In all of these causes, water is the main component to look out for. After food is completely digested, in the small intestines, the waste matter moves to the colon or large intestines, where it is processed to remove the water content from it. A small amount of water in the stool is necessary for expulsion. If for any of the reasons above, water exits the system, you end up with a condition called fecal impaction, where a plug of feces forms and cannot be expelled. Enemas are used to deal with this problem by hydrating the impacted feces to allow expulsion. It is also used to cleanse the colon in a case of diverticulitis.
Creating a home enema requires just some warm water and a home enema kit from your local drugstore. Some advice also states that you could also use baking soda with the water. Ensure that all the material goes into your colon and then sit over a WC and wait for the contents of the colon to be expelled.
