Resources & History
Enemas are nothing new. In fact they are recorded in most ancient cultures and medical records. Enemas, and specifically coffee enemas have gained much popularity for their use in the Gerson Therapy.
Prior to the 1950's and the introduction of pharmaceutical laxatives, enemas were the standard treatment in hospitals, for constipation (Shea, Way). They were also used to help cleanse the colon prior to surgery and childbirth in hospitals.
Doctors at the University of Minnesota showed that coffee administered rectally also stimulates an enzyme system in the liver called glutathione S-transferase by 600%-700% above normal activity levels.
This enzyme reacts with free radicals (which cause cell damage) in the bloodstream and makes them inert. These neutralised substances become dissolved in the bile, are released through the bile flow from the liver and gallbladder, and are excreted through the intestinal tract.
In the 1920s, two German professors tested the effects of infused caffeine on rats. They found that the caffeine travels via the hemorrhoidal vein and the portal system to the liver, opens up the bile ducts and allows the liver to release bile, which contains toxins. The theobromine, theophylline, and the caffeine in coffee dilate blood vessels and bile ducts, relax smooth muscles, and increase the bile flow.
At the Happy Bum Co, we do not claim to treat, cure or prevent disease using enemas, nor are we the creators of the idea. However with over 17 years of clinical experience in gut health and detoxification, we have personally experienced and witnessed thousands of case studies with positive results. We are dedicated to collecting evidence, case studies and further resources so we can see an increase in literature and efficacy that reflects the true benefits of this practice.
Resources
Learn more about enemas with these helpful resourcesCase Reports
An Enzyme-based Nutritional Protocol in Metastatic Cancer: Case Reports of a Patient with Colon Cancer and a Patient with Lung Cancer. 25(4):16-19, 2019. PMID 31202206.
Linitis Plastica Gastric Cancer: A Case Report. Dr. Isaacs, MD. Aug/Sep 2016:68-69.
Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. The Gonzalez Therapy and Cancer: a Collection of Case Reports. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 13(1):46-55, 2007. PMID 17283741. There are 31 cases, beginning on page 4.
Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. “Evaluation of Pancreatic Proteolytic Enzyme Treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas, With Nutrition and Detoxification Support.” 33(2): 117-124, 1999. PMID: 10368805.
Evaluating Anecdotes and Case Reports. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 13(2):36-8, 2007. PMID 17405677.
Theory
Pancreatic Proteolytic Enzymes and Cancer: New Support for an Old Theory.
Integrative Cancer Therapies, 21:15347354221096077, 2022. PMID: 35514109.
Pancreatic Enzymes: Not Just for Digestion. Price-Pottenger Journal, 45(4):4-13, 2021. In addition to the article by Dr. Isaacs, there are interviews of three of her patients.
Pancreatic Proenzymes and Primitive Cells, Townsend Letter, August/September 2022.
A Brief History of Glandular Therapy: More than Just Thyroid. 22(2):26-31, 2023. PMID 37363152.
Glandular Supplements Explained. 47(3):12-19,2023.
Coffee Enemas: A Narrative Review. 27(3):46-49, 2021. PMID 33711817.
Foreword to Nutrition and the Autonomic Nervous System by Nicholas J. Gonzalez, M.D.
Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. ISBN: 978-0-9821965-0-2.
Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Statistics: Why Meaningful Statistics Cannot Be Generated from a Private Practice. 21(2): 11-15, 2015. PMID: 25830274.
Isaacs LL. Dr. Franklin Shively's Multiple Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy of Cancer. Dr. Shively treated patients with intravenous enzymes in the 1950s and 1960s. The Townsend Letter published Dr. Isaacs' review of his book in their November 2021 issue.
Research Battles: Survival Tips From a Veteran. 14(5):30-2, 2015. PMID 26770164. A discussion of the mismanaged clinical trial comparing enzyme treatment with chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic cancer, focusing on the errors in the design of the study.
Further Links
Share your best answershttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12029384/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15680679/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25136541/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17351030/
University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, Coupland III, Coupland Street, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. alex.molassiotis@manchester.ac.uk
A General Practitioner. The Illustrated Family Doctor. Dunstable: Waterlow and Sons; 1934.
Allison CC. Operative Technique in Appendicitis, with Cases. West Med Review. 1896;1:152-154. Full text available at http://google.com/books?id=tOVXAAAAMAAJ.
Cachot MA. Case of Poisoning by Aconite; Enema of Coffee in the Treatment. Pac Med Surg J. 1866;9:239-240. Full text available at http://google.com/books?id=BkAgAQAAIAAJ
Dekkers R. Apple juice and the chemical-contact softening of gallstones. Lancet. 1999;354:2171. PMID 10609857
Douglas BR, Jansen JB, Tham RT, Lamers CB. Coffee stimulation of cholecystokinin release and gallbladder contraction in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990;52:553-556. Abstract available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2393014
Eisele JW, Reay DT. Deaths related to coffee enemas. J Am Med Assoc. 1980;244:1608-1609. PMID 7420666
Garbat AL, Jacobi HG. Secretion of bile in response to rectal installations. Arch Intern Med. 1929;44:455-462. Abstract available at jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/536575
Garrison RL. Home Remedy May Help Prevent Surgery in Some Patients with Gallstones. In: Rose VL. Conference Highlights. Am Fam Physician. 1998;57:785-786. Full text available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/1998/0215/p785.html.
Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Birkholz D. (2013). Biomonitoring and Elimination of Perfluorinated Compounds and Polychlorinated Biphenyls through Perspiration: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study. ISRN Toxicol. 2013:2013:483832. Full text available at www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2013/483832
Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Birkholz D, Lobo RA. Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:185731. Full text available at www.hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2012/185731
Genuis SJ, Beesoon S, Lobo RA, Birkholz D. Human elimination of phthalate compounds: blood, urine, and sweat (BUS) study. Scient World J. 2012;2012:615068. Full text available at www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2012/615068.
Genuis SJ, Lane K, Birkholz D. Human Elimination of Organochlorine Pesticides: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:1624643. Full text available at www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/1624643
Genuis SK, Birkholz D, Genuis SJ. Human Excretion of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study. Biomed Res Int. 2017;2017:3676089. Full text available at www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2017/3676089
Herron RE, Fagan JB. Lipophil-mediated reduction of toxicants in humans: an evaluation of an ayurvedic detoxification procedure. Altern Ther Health Med. 2002;8:40-51. Abstract available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12233802
Hoffman JB, Petriello MC, Hennig B. Impact of nutrition on pollutant toxicity: an update with new insights into epigenetic regulation. Rev Environ Health. 2017;32(1-2),65-72. Full text available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5489226
Kim ES, Chun HJ, Keum B, et al. Coffee enema for preparation for small bowel video capsule endoscopy: a pilot study. Clin Nutr Res. 2014;3(2):134-141. Full text available at synapse.koreamed.org/DOIx.php?id=10.7762/cnr.2014.3.2.134
Kunutsor SK, Khan H, Zaccardi F, Laukkanen T, Willeit P, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing reduces the risk of stroke in Finnish men and women: A prospective cohort study. Neurology. 2018;90(22):e1937-e1944. Abstract available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29720543
Kunutsor SK, Laukkanen T, Laukkanen JA. Sauna bathing reduces the risk of respiratory diseases: a long-term prospective cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2017;32(12):1107-1111. Abstract available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28905164
Margolin KA, Green MR. Polymicrobial enteric septicemia from coffee enemas. West J Med. 1984;140:460. Full text available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1021723
McClain ME. The patient's needs: Enemas. Scientific Principles in Nursing. St. Louis, MO: The C.V. Mosby Company; 1950:168.
The Medicinal Employment of Coffee. Sanitary Record. 1897;20:105S-106S. Full text available at books.google.com/books?id=tS0TAAAAYAAJ
Mississippi Valley Medical Association Society Proceedings. West Med Review. 1896;1:189-194. Available at http://google.com/books?id=tOVXAAAAMAAJ.
Richards DG, McMillin DL, Mein EA, Nelson CD. Colonic irrigations: a review of the historical controversy and the potential for adverse effects. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(4):389-393. Full text available at https://www.meridianinstitute.com/reports/colonic.pdf
Sies CW, Brooker J. Could these be gallstones? Lancet. 2005;365:1388. PMID 15836886
Stajano C. The concentrated coffee enema in the therapeutics of shock. Uruguayan Med Surg Special Arch. 1941;29:1-27.
https://www.drlindai.com/Alt-ther-5-2021.pdf
https://www.meridianinstitute.com/reports/colonic.pdf
https://www.thefinleycenter.com/uploads/3/7/7/4/37741423/how_coffee_enemas_work.pdf
https://www.risingsunyoga.com/articles/history-of-coffee-enema-and-why-it-works