Coffee Enema

Few scientists have studied coffee enemas, but one publication described an experiment where coffee enemas caused the liver and gall bladder to release bile. The liver processes various metabolic wastes and toxins, then puts them into the bile for disposal. Therefore, by stimulating bile flow, the coffee enemas can help the body clear wastes.

You may be surprised to learn that coffee enemas have been around for more than a century. Physicians used coffee enemas in the 1800s and early 1900s to treat poisonings and shock, and in postoperative care. Dr. Max Gerson used coffee enemas as a part of an alternative treatment known as the Gerson Therapy. He first used coffee enemas to treat his migraines. Gerson believed that cancer developed when toxins overwhelmed the body and thought it was possible to restore the body by repairing the liver. Coffee enemas were also recommended by Dr. William Donald Kelley, another alternative cancer practitioner.

Coffee enemas involve introduction of room-temperature coffee into the rectum with the use of enema equipment. The coffee should be prepared by carefully following the directions, filtering to remove the grounds, and cooling before use. Once introduced into the body, the caffeine in the coffee is absorbed through the rectal wall and enters the veins. It is then taken to the liver, where it can open bile ducts, encouraging flow.

As with any procedure, you should know about potential risks and side effects. Get medical advice before attempting a self-administered coffee enema. It is also wise to read the coffee enema instructions carefully. You should not share enema equipment with others, and you should clean it as directed by the manufacturer.

Coffee enemas may be harmful if you are sensitive to caffeine, or if you are taking medications that could interact with caffeine.

While everyone should discuss coffee enemas with their medical provider before trying them, patients with the following conditions should take special care:

• Immune suppression or dysfunction
• Colon conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, or severe irritable bowel syndrome
• Fluid retention or use of diuretics
• Recent abdominal surgery
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal or anal tumor

The medical literature includes case reports of injuries with coffee enemas such as rectal burns, colon perforation, and infection. Generally, these issues can be avoided by the use of good quality equipment and coffee that is not boiling hot. And, never force the enema tube into the body. If you encounter resistance, stop, and discuss with your doctor.

Little scientific research has been done, and there are no studies that support coffee enema use as an alternative to modern treatments for cancer.