About a year after first reading about coffee enemas and seeing a disturbing how-to video on YouTube, I swore I would never attempt such a thing. It wasn’t until a physician (and more research on my part) was able to convince me otherwise.

Coffee enemas help remove a variety of toxins from the body and colon and are incredibly beneficial when going through treatment or healing so the doctor was adamant I begin a coffee enema regime. She sent me a link to a pack of 45 disposable enema bags on Amazon along with a few organic coffee options. I thought she was out of her mind if I needed 45 bags. “What on earth am I going to do with 45 bags?” I thought to myself. “I will maybe do two, max.” I settled on a pack of 4 and a small bag of coffee. [This is not your regular morning coffee coffee- the coffee used for enemas is a specific type.]

I had severe anxiety before, during, and after my first enema and all the worst-case scenario fears flooded my mind. After doing my second one, the anxiety about putting coffee into my colon diminished and I realized that this process is really not a big deal at all. Plus, I reminded myself they were far too beneficial to write-off as a no.

The reason why coffee enemas can be such a vital part of healing if you have any form of gut issue [parasites, candida, etc.], heavy metals, toxins, mold, Lyme disease, and/or cancer, is that it helps detox not only your colon but also your liver. It can also relieve constipation, bloating, and gas and be useful in reducing headaches and migraines (especially ones that come from treatment herx in Lyme and Cancer). If you're thinking this is some new health trend, think again. Coffee enemas have been around since the 1800s becoming more famous in the 1950s when the Gerson Institute used them for treating cancer patients.

Here’s how it works: The caffeine travels via the portal vein from the colon to the liver where it aids in opening up the bile ducts and dilating blood vessels. By doing this the liver is able to release toxins through bile. [1]

The coffee also activates a super important enzyme in your body called glutathione s-transferase [GST], which binds to harsh toxins and poisons in your body with the amino acid reduced glutathione. [2]

The key to all of this is holding the coffee enema for 10-15 minutes to ensure ample time for your blood supply to pass through your liver. For me, the first few times were very difficult to hold for 5 minutes let alone 15! I would be moaning and squealing so much so that my husband would come running to the bathroom door in concern. Luckily, it got easier and the squealing stopped. Depending on where I was in my treatment cycles, I would be doing enemas sometimes daily, as it is crucial to remove toxins through all systems possible and keep drainage pathways open. I also noticed it helped tremendously with my headaches and migraines.

Below is detailed how-to-do-a-coffee-enema which is very helpful. I've seen over-complicated guides online and on You Tube and it can be overwhelming. I am going to keep it super simple for you. [If you have hemorrhoids, wait until they settle before doing enemas- otherwise it can irritate them and/or be very uncomfortable].

One of the most important things when doing enemas is to be sure to take some sort of binders! A lot of toxins get released and you’ll want something to help pull them out in a safe way.

If you have never done an enema, please read the instructions slowly and carefully! I also include a common list of concerns below as well as other types of enemas that can be beneficial.

Tools:

Either a disposable enema kit ( I rec these* or these) or a reusable kit *
Organic enema coffee. This is a great brand as is this one.
A hanger
A saucepan
Highly filtered/distilled water
A fine mesh strainer or french press
Cooking thermometer
*Coconut oil for lubing the end of the tube as these are not pre-lubed

Instructions:

Early in the morning, bring 2-4 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
Add one tablespoon of coffee per cup of water. [It is recommended you start with two cups, working your way up to four. If you are very sensitive to caffeine, lower the amount of coffee used.]
Allow to boil for about another minute, then simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Remove liquid from stove and let cool to room temperature or no more than 100°F
Meanwhile, lay a towel on the floor in the bathroom and place the wet pad [if it comes with the kit] over the towel. [Sometimes there is leakage which is totally normal]
Set a pillow or rolled up towel where your head will be. This ensures comfort during the process-You don't need a neck ache on top of everything else. Put your phone next to the pillow for entertainment and for a timer.
Strain the cooled liquid into glass jar/cup/pitcher or pour into french press.
CLAMP THE TUBE on the enema bag! [This is super important otherwise your liquid will go everywhere].
Pour liquid into enema bag and hook the bag through the top of the hanger.
Hang the hanger on a doorknob [the ideal height/distance] or cabinet knob. Just make sure it is 12-18 inches above your body.
If using a kit that does not come pre-lubed, apply some coconut oil to the end of the nozzle without blocking the holes.
Lay on your left side with your knees tucked. Insert the tip of the nozzle into your rectum about 1-2 inches. [A little wiggle of the nozzle helps.]
Release the clamp and watch the coffee flow. If it starts to get uncomfortable while entering your colon, plug the nozzle for a few seconds to let any gas shift and then start again. Allow all the liquid to flow out of the bag.
Remove the nozzle from your rectum and replug it with the cap so that no excess liquid escapes.
Set your timer for 10-15 minutes.
Usually, halfway through, I will lie on my back and sometimes turn on my right side to get the liquid moving through the colon as much as possible. It also helps to be on your back or right side when it starts to get super uncomfortable, which at times, it might. You can also gently rub in the reverse direction of your colon (see image below) to get the fluid moving.
You might feel cramping and bloating in certain areas.
If it gets uncomfortable, try playing some Beyonce, bang your hands on the floor, and keep breathing. If it’s just too uncomfortable for you or you cannot take it one second longer, then release into the toilet. There is no prize for holding it in past a certain amount of time.
FYI: You may continue releasing liquid an hour or so after the enema. Do not be alarmed if it is green- that is just the color the coffee can turn as it is not processed). If parasites are an issue for you, you may also see some post enema.
Discard the disposable kit or if using a reusable kit , clean well with an all natural, non-toxic cleaner.
Be sure to drink a ton of water and get electrolytes in your body. I also always take extra binders than I already take the days I do enemas.

- DO NOT SAVE any extra coffee liquid in your refrigerator! After 24-hours things begin to grow bacteria and you do not want that in your body. You should be making fresh coffee liquid every single time you do your enema.

Common concerns

The enema makes me jittery: Begin with less coffee. Try 1 tablespoon per quart and work your way up slowly each time.

I can't hold it: There could be a few reasons for this:

1. The first few times can be difficult to hold. Start with less liquid, even as little as a cup is a good start. 2. You could have a lot of inflammation which makes it very difficult to hold. I have gone through months of not being able to hold the enema more than two minutes because of this. It's OK. Do what you can if you feel the enema can be useful to your healing. You can also start with small, short holds for a minute or two. Sometimes I repeat this a couple times. Once released, I follow up with a full hold of the rest of the enema. [You should also be doing the coffee enemas in the morning after a bowel movement if possible]. 3. Be sure the coffee isn't too cold. Sometimes the warmer the better (just keep it under 100 degrees!) 4. There is air in the tube. It’s common for air to be released from the tube before the coffee. The issue is this can make you feel very gassy. You can release the air before doing the enema by releasing the clamp on the tube and letting the air out along with a small amount of liquid (do this in the sink/toilet).

No poop is coming out: You could be very backed up and/or very dehydrated. Drink lots of fluid before and after the enema. If you are super constipated and have never done an enema or colonic, I highly suggest getting a colonic first to get the ball rolling.

It hurts to insert the tube: You could have hemorrhoids. If that is the case try to clear those before doing enemas. Also, be sure the tip of the tube is properly lubricated.

When should I do the enemas? Time of day: In the morning! In terms of frequency, it all depends on you and your body. I did enemas daily anytime I was deep in a treatment cycle for Lyme, co-infections, parasites, mold, candida, and heavy metals. Then I would bring it down to about 2-3x a week for coffee enemas specifically. I use them a lot even when not in treatment as I am still detoxing things and need the support. Additionally, I always do a coffee enema whenever: I have a migraine or days of headaches, feel constipated, need to take pharma meds, after lymphatic drainage or body work, after flying, etc.

Gently massage in this direction while on your back: