Cleansing enemas are one of the most misunderstood treatments in natural digestive health — and one of the most useful when applied correctly. Many people new to colon health are unaware that an enema and a colonic are quite different treatments, each with a distinct purpose. In this guide I explain what cleansing enemas are, how they differ from colonic hydrotherapy, and how I use them therapeutically at Phenomenal Colonics in North London.
Cleansing Enemas vs Colonic Hydrotherapy — What’s the Difference?
Colonic hydrotherapy cleanses the entire length of the colon, whereas cleansing enemas reach only the lower portion — the sigmoid and part of the descending colon.
A colonic is a treatment I administer as a trained practitioner. It involves multiple gentle water movements through the colon, abdominal massage, and the addition of therapeutic herbs to enhance the cleansing process. The water travels slowly in and out through the entire bowel, reaching as far as the caecum. The treatment uses approximately 50 to 60 litres of filtered water over 45 minutes to one hour. Peristalsis — which diet and lifestyle may have made sluggish — wakes up during treatment, improving bowel muscle tone and natural movement.
An enema at home uses a single infusion of one to two pints of fluid and reaches only just above the sigmoid flexure. This level of cleansing differs fundamentally from a colonic, but it serves a specific and valuable purpose — delivering a therapeutic substance such as coffee or garlic directly to the lower bowel.
For a full comparison of the two treatments, see my article Colonic Irrigation vs Enema: What’s the Difference?
The Benefits of Cleansing Enemas
The therapeutic effect of an enema depends on two things: the substance added to the water, and the goal of the treatment — whether short-term relief or part of a longer protocol.
Cleansing enemas help with stuck gas and faeces, support fasting and detox programmes, and practitioners have used them to support clients managing a range of auto-immune conditions. Max Gerson and many naturopaths before him used enemas over the centuries to support clients with cancer and other serious conditions.
I often administer an enema after a full colonic session. With less gas in the colon following the colonic, the client retains the enema for longer — which enhances the therapeutic power of the substances used. The colon then receives a final wash, and the results are phenomenal.
One caution: enemas can become habit-forming and should not be used too frequently unless part of a supervised treatment plan. Some people use them daily to stimulate a bowel movement without addressing the dietary causes of the problem. Over time this risks making the lower bowel somewhat flaccid. Used appropriately, they increase overall bowel health, muscle tone, and peristalsis.
Coffee Enemas — How I Prepare Them
The coffee enemas I administer use raw, unroasted organic coffee — never cheap instant coffee. Here is my preparation method:
Add three heaped tablespoons of coffee to just under one litre of filtered water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes. This produces a soothing, mucilaginous greenish liquid rather than the sharp drink you might expect. Filter, strain, and cool to body temperature before use.
None of the caffeine absorbs into the body in the way drinking coffee would. Instead, the chemical constituents travel through the small haemorrhoidal capillaries in the anal area, through the portal vein to the liver and gallbladder. This detoxifies an overworked organ and increases bile flow — bringing significant relief to the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. Clients who have undergone chemotherapy, general anaesthetics, or heavy medication find coffee enemas particularly supportive.
When I travel long-haul, I always take a kit. Some of my clients have done the same — even investing in a travel kettle. If nothing else is available, a few herbal tea bags — chamomile, fennel, or peppermint — make a perfectly effective alternative. I always travel with a small bottle of garlic juice. Which brings instant relief, particularly when visiting countries where digestive upsets are more common.
Garlic Enemas — What They Do
Marijke’s garlic enema is particularly effective for Candida and for clients experiencing persistent excess gas. That horrible bloated, cramped feeling after a rich meal. Rather than enduring a night of discomfort, a self-administered garlic enema brings rapid relief and supports a comfortable night’s sleep.
For more on the therapeutic properties of garlic, see my article The Power of Garlic for Gut Health.
For guidance on the broader therapeutic use of enemas in naturopathic practice, the British Naturopathic Association provides useful context on the history and application of natural therapies.
Book a Cleansing Enema Treatment in North London
If you feel uncertain about colonic hydrotherapy or enemas, I recommend experiencing a session professionally before attempting anything at home. I would be delighted to help you feel fabulous at Phenomenal Colonics. Please visit Balance On The Lane, 16 England’s Lane, Belsize Park, London NW3 4TG.
Book a session or contact me directly on +44 (0)7982 831239. WhatsApp is welcome.
About Marijke Vogel
Marijke Vogel is an ARCH and CNHC-accredited colon hydrotherapist and qualified naturopath, herbalist, and iridologist with over 25 years of clinical experience, practising at Balance On The Lane, 16 England’s Lane, Belsize Park, London NW3 4TG.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP before beginning any new health treatment.
