Talking to people about enemas, or anything that has to do with the bowels in general, might be awkward. However, introducing coffee enemas to a protocol could help in a wellness journey and reinforce healthy habits someone may be already implementing.

Enemas have been part of medicine for thousands of years. The first reference of the use of enemas for health was by the Egyptians in 1550 BC. A Greek physician from the first century thought ailments could be addressed with the right food, drink, and enemas. (1)

Coffee enemas came onto the scene in WWI. During WWI, patients were often prepped for surgery with an enema. The rationale was to reduce the chance for infection. When water was in short supply, a nurse used coffee for a wounded soldier’s surgery prep enema. The soldier commented that his pain was reduced and he felt better. So the coffee enema rather than the water enema became standard practice. (2)

Later, functional medicine adopted this procedure as a way to increase the health of chronically ill people. Now the coffee enema protocol is being used by healthy individuals as well to optimize their vitality even more.

The reason for patients or clients to do a coffee enema is to move the liver and bile ducts to purge the bile. It’s another aid to open up the drainage pathways and clear the colon during detox. They may also help activate the vagus nerve, while increasing glutathione and decreasing pain. (3, 4, 5)

Health Properties of Coffee

Coffee contains some unique constituents that can be helpful to the body. Two of the main constituents can increase the level of glutathione in the intestines and the liver: (6, 7)

  • Cafestol palmitate
  • Kahweol palmitate

It’s important to note that coffee is the only known source of these two constituents. (8)

As a vital detoxification antioxidant, glutathione helps to prevent damage from heavy metals and reactive oxygen species by breaking apart chemical carcinogens so the body can remove them. Kahweol palmitate seems to increase glutathione more than cafestol palmitate, but both raised it. The less roasted the coffee beans, the higher the amount of these two powerful ingredients. These constituents may also help to suppress cancer growth. (7, 9)

Because coffee is a significant source of antioxidants, the lighter the roast, the more the antioxidants. This can help lower inflammation in the liver and assist the liver cells to regenerate. (10, 11)

The caffeine in coffee may help to prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and liver problems. Coffee can also inhibit fibrosis of liver tissue and help dilate blood vessels. (12, 13)

If patients/clients are resistant or react to the addition of coffee in their enemas, remind them that caffeine has no effect on the adrenals or mitochondria when it is administered rectally in an enema. So no need to worry about caffeine high and crash.

Coffee enemas benefits for the liver

As you know, sometimes toxins can build up and create a sludge that blocks the bile duct. If the bile cannot flow freely to the intestines, these toxins build up in the liver. This causes inflammation, leading to more health issues. It also can impair digestion and the ability to absorb nutrients fully. 

A coffee enema detox can help unblock the bile duct so this backup in purification does not occur. Doing regular coffee enemas can also help get these coffee constituents to go straight into the liver and upregulate glutathione. 

This nutrient uptake happens much faster than drinking the coffee, and acids from the stomach haven’t changed the components. Because of this, the coffee is processed by the liver differently.

About six inches inside the rectum are the hemorrhoidal veins that directly connect to the hepatic portal, which leads straight to the liver. That’s why for coffee enemas, the tube should be inserted six inches in the rectum for the coffee to be absorbed through the hemorrhoidal veins to the hepatic portal vein to go directly to the liver. The caffeine in the coffee dilates these blood vessels, increasing the absorption of the coffee and its valuable constituents. The liver contains around 10% of the blood, cleaning it by filtering about 1.4 liters in a minute. (14, 15, 16)

This process with the liver stimulates the release of bile, depositing all the waste products that need to get out of the body into the bile. Then this waste material gets removed in our stools, assisting in the drainage portion of detox.

Coffee enemas for the intestines

The main coffee constituents can also have potent detoxification effects in the intestines as well. Different chemicals and enzymes control all the genes within the body, and the rate of detoxification in the intestines is no exception. (17)

The cafestol and kahweol palmitates can double the amount these genes are expressed, and 70% of both of these palmitates can be absorbed in the small intestine. This suggests that coffee enema protocols could double the detoxification rate in the intestines while also helping reduce inflammation. (17, 18)

Since glutathione has also been shown to increase with these palmitates, it’s important to note that glutathione is more than a powerful antioxidant in the body. While it’s performing its detoxification action, it also helps to inhibit neoplasia, or the growth of abnormal, new, and uncontrolled tissue. These new tissues can eventually become tumors (both cancerous and non-cancerous masses). Blocking tissues from this abnormal growth could be vital in preventing disease and also help to create optimal function of the intestines. (19) 

Another health promoting part in coffee, theophylline, reduces inflammation in both the liver and the intestines and might be especially useful for ulcerative colitis. (20)

Coffee enemas benefits for anxiety and depression

True health is a delicate balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Both have important roles, but in anxiety and depression, the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response) is working too hard. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response) is too low. (21) 

These imbalanced responses can heighten anxiety and depression as well as the response to pain. Coffee enema benefits include helping to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps with depression. (22)

Part of calming the nervous system is having the feeling of satiety. Coffee enemas stimulate the gallbladder to contract, which helps to open the bile duct. The coffee can improve gallbladder contraction by around 33% or more. This really helps to move out the toxins the liver wants to expel. (23) 

The coffee enema increases plasma cholecystokinin, which helps to produce a “satisfied” or relaxed feeling. This activation of the gallbladder might help individuals avoid gallstones as well. (24)

The body recycles bile that can be reused up to 18 times. However, it takes a lot of energy to make, and the body wants to be efficient. Unfortunately, sometimes the toxins that the liver tries hard to remove can get reabsorbed. Getting the liver and gallbladder to release bile might not be enough for your patient/client. A coffee enema detox can help get these toxins out of their body, so they are not reabsorbed.

Complete a Coffee Enema

The first coffee enema might seem like a daunting task. But once this process is completed a few times, it will be much easier.

The first thing to do is gather the equipment and supplies. This includes:

  • The coffee. Choose organic, light roasted, or air roasted whole coffee beans (not decaffeinated coffee).
  • Coffee enema bucket or kit. We recommend the bucket since it is easy to clean.
  • Coconut oil or some other lubricant. This is for the end of the enema hose.
  • French press. This is to retain the important cafestol and kahweol palmitates.
  • Organic blackstrap molasses. Optional (to help retain the enema).
  • Paper towels
  • Soft towels. for the bathroom floor.
  • Water. Use distilled water to remove chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals.

The best time of day for patients/clients to do this is in the morning after already having a bowel movement. Also, doing this too late in the day could hinder sleep patterns.

For the first one, have them choose a day that they are not rushed and can take their time with this process.

Tips For Common Issues

Patient/Client can’t hold it for 15-20 minutes

First of all, tell them not to stress about it. Twenty minutes is ideal, but they will still get benefits with shorter times. They will feel different every time they do this, and the sensations of it might take some getting used to.

Second, make sure they have emptied their bowels as much as possible before they start. This includes both an actual bowel movement but also any trapped “air.” Have them get as empty as they can before they begin.

Also, your patients/clients may not have the right equipment and not put the tube far enough in. The liquid may be too much and flowing in too fast as well. 

Also, taking some slow breaths can help to ease that “urge” and help them to hold it for a bit longer. Wiggling toes or something else to take their mind off things helps too.

Patient/Client feels worse after

Feeling worse after a coffee enema detox is revealing that the liver bile duct system is extremely stagnant and backed up. Nothing was done wrong. A lot of times, it’s important to slow down with this process, especially if there are parasites and other issues with toxins. 

Have patients/clients decrease the coffee enema concentration amount by making the coffee with fewer grounds so it isn’t as strong. Decreasing the amount of liquid may help as well. Start with a tablespoon and work your way to the full four tablespoons. It may be more comfortable to hold the enema for a shorter amount of time and work their way up. They can also lower dosages if they are using mineral supplementation. 

The vast majority of people feel better and energized after, but a small group of people don’t. This means that the bile duct was indeed clogged up. Releasing those toxins can make them feel worse for a short time. Infrared heating pads can also help soothe afterwards by putting it on the liver area (front right lower rib cage).

After the enema 

Your patients or clients may tell you that their body absorbed the coffee enema but nothing came out. This is usually a sign that the body is dehydrated. This also may be a colon muscle reaction from sucking all the liquid. Complete absorptions often happen if the coffee enema is done before bed. Evening is more of an absorptive time whereas the morning is more excretive. 

If patients/clients are visibly upset, remember to be understanding and encouraging. Remind them to relax and hydrate. The body will clear it out, and it will get easier with repetition and practice.

Cleaning the equipment

Remind individuals that it’s crucial to clean the equipment used for the enema. Bacteria or mold could begin to grow on the equipment if not properly cleaned. Thoroughly wash the bucket with hot water and gentle soap, and that it has completely dried before storing. 

The hose should be washed as well with one additional step. Disinfect the end of the hose that was used in the rectum with hydrogen peroxide. Again, make sure it is thoroughly dry before storing it.

Do coffee enemas deplete minerals?

Remember, coffee enema benefits primarily aid in the purging of toxins to help take the burden off of the liver. It’s important for individuals to keep in mind that other substances get purged as well, including minerals because it can be removed along with the toxins with traditional enemas. Coffee also contains selenium and zinc, but make sure the minerals are replaced the body. 

Doing three or four coffee enemas a week shouldn’t be a problem. Because they are typically energizing, some people choose to do them multiple times a day. This is too often and can cause electrolyte imbalance. The body will only release so many toxins at once. Remind your patients/clients that wellness is a journey, so patience is key to give their body time to benefit from a coffee enema protocol.

Awkward At First But Effective 

Coffee enemas are having a recent surge in popularity. Consistent users comment on better bowel function, increased energy, and weight loss. Fans of coffee enemas use it to help detoxify the body. 

But coffee enemas aren’t always an easy subject to bring up. And in the end, you don’t need to force people to do this. It’s just another tool in the toolbox. 

Coffee enemas can boost:

  • Energy
  • Detoxification
  • Digestive health
  • Liver function
  • Mood

So when your patients/clients are ready, coffee enemas just might be what they need.