Unlike colonic irrigation, which cleanses the colon, coffee enemas stimulate the gall bladder to release more bile, which increases the elimination of toxins from the liver and out of the body through the digestive system.
What is the purpose of the liver?
In the modern world, we are constantly exposed to toxins, including air pollution, cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, alcohol, and other drugs, as well as toxins in our food and water supply. These chemicals travel to the liver via the bloodstream, and one of the most important functions of the liver is to remove harmful substances from the blood and then break them down into safer substances, eliminate them through bile or repackage them into a safer form.
How do coffee enemas help detoxification?
The fluid of the enema and the caffeine it contains acts in the following ways to aid in detoxification:
- The coffee in the enema irritates the gall bladder which begins to spasm and flush bile through the bile duct into the small intestine. The bile, which is normally reabsorbed nine or ten times before working its way out of the intestines in faeces, carries with it poisons and toxins. Taking a coffee enema reduces the reabsorption of toxic bile by the liver across the gut wall, improving detoxification.
- All the blood in the body passes through the liver nearly every three minutes. During a 15-minute enema, blood will pass through 5 times, providing a form of dialysis.
- The fluid of the enema stimulates the visceral nervous system, which promotes peristalsis and increases transit of toxic bile out of the body in the faeces.
If coffee is so great, why not just drink it?
The caffeine in coffee enemas stimulates the liver to increase its flow of bile, which allows poisons and toxins to be released from the body. In contrast, coffee taken orally goes through the stomach and causes the bile ducts to shut off, reducing detoxification.
The importance of coffee enemas in the Gerson Therapy®
Patients with advanced cancer are typically severely toxic and the absorption of the tumour masses increases the toxic load. Dr Gerson realised the vital importance of frequent and continued elimination of poisonous substances from the body, with the help of juices and enemas. Max Gerson said, “A patient is unlikely to die from cancer, but from the toxins accumulated in the body”.
Coffee enemas can also help with other effects of cancer including pain relief, nausea, depression, and general nervous tension.
Can you have too much of a good thing?
In the Gerson Therapy® the number of enemas per day is balanced by the number of nutrient rich juices, with a ratio of one enema to three freshly squeezed juices. For people just seeking to keep their systems clean, and who are eating a healthy, balanced diet full of fruit and vegetables, an enema once a week or twice a month should be sufficient. If you are taking enemas more often, then you should balance one to one with fresh juices. We recommend working with a health practitioner to optimise your detox programme according to your individual health circumstances and goals.
Want more information?
For more information, please see our Little Enema book, which explains everything you need to know about the use of coffee enemas within the Gerson protocol, as well as how to guides.