Dr. Stool writes: Since there has been a lot of discussion on this site about colon cleansing, we wanted to share more about Enemas:
 
The act of instilling a liquid (usually water) into the rectum has been around for centuries. Historically known as “clysters,” enemas were the preferred treatment of the bourgeoisie for a wide variety of gastrointestinal ailments. The medical history books are filled with examples of unusual uses and types of enemas. In fact, the expression “to blow smoke up her ass” comes from the practice of imparting tobacco smoke into the rectum of a fainting woman in attempts to revive her. Lest you think these practices were solely found in the eighteenth century, enemas consisting of coffee, alcohol, and even milk and honey are widely touted today by certain homeopaths as having beneficial effects on colonic health.   
 
While medical professionals sometimes give patients enemas to help with constipation or inflammatory bowel disease, we have included some useful information if you want to give yourself an enema at home. The theory is that doing an enema at home provides you with a comfortable setting, an economical alternative, and a valuable means of helping your body to pass an impacted bolus of stool or to soothe inflamed intestinal mucosa.

After the jump: How enemas work!

 
How enemas work:  The lower segment of the colon, called the rectum, is thicker and narrower and ends on the outside of the body at the anus.  Waste gathering in the rectum causes stretching which sends a message to the brain and the rest of the intestines that its time to have a bowel movement.  Enemas stimulate these same reflexes and in that way exercises them, especially if the reflexes are decreased (due to poor bowel habits) or need to be increased (i.e. constipation).
 
Enema Menu (as served up by Bastyr University Natural Health Clinic):
 
Saline:  Into 2 quarts water add 1 tablespoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon baking soda.  This solution can also be made in 2 quarts of herb tea:  boil water,  steep 2 tablespoons of herbs in a non-aluminum container, cool, add salt and soda.  Suggested herbs are catnip, chamomile and peppermint.
 
Coffee:  Organic, fresh ground, caffeinated coffee (Altura brand) is used.  Brew it with non-aluminum utensils.  Use 2 tablespoons coffee grounds per quart of water (use less if coffee makes you jittery).  Allow to cool before using.
 
Bentonite Clay:  1 tablespoon clay per 2 quarts of water.
 
Glycothymoline:  Edgar Cayce formula for dissolving mucus.
 
Charcoal:  1-5 tablespoons charcoal per 2 quarts water.
 
Goldenseal:  4 tablespoons of crushed leaves per 2 quarts water.  Steep for 15 minutes, strain, cool and use.  This is an astringent enema.
 
Cornstarch:  Do a saline enema first.  Make a paste of 2 tablespoons cornstarch in water, then dilute into one pint warm water and use this as an enema to decrease irritation.

Ed.’s note: Use of image is by no means endorsement of Blink 182.