Le Lavement

Information on Lavements

A lavement, or enema involves an injection of a solution into the rectum and colon to soften feces, distend the colon and thereby cause the easy emptying of the bowel. A lavement is often given for relieving constipation. Nowadays about the only time doctors employ a large volume lavement is before or after surgery and childbirth or various medical procedures. The use of difficult barium lavement before colonic X rays are of course still used by physicians.

For centuries, lavements were a routine home remedy. Then, within living memory, the routine use of lavements has almost died out. {Thanks to the Pharmaceutical Companies wanting to sell laxatives and chemical lavements}

During the administration of the lavement, you will normally be asked to lie on your left side {This is the most commonly used position}, with the right leg flexed up towards the chest. This position will enable the administrator easy access to the anus to insert the nozzle and instill the solution into the colon.
The solution most commonly used is a mixture of mild soap and approximately 2 qts.{two liters} of warm filtered water in a lavement bag or can with tubing and lavement nozzle. The nozzle and anus should be lubricated for easy insertion into the rectum, after which the solution should be slowly administered. ( Super Salve)

But a better lavement to use would be a warm water lavement it causes less irritation to the intestinal tract.

Injecting the lavement solution slowly will also help to minimize discomfort and cramping.

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It is also helpful to breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth a few times this helps you relax and will enable you to take the lavement more comfortably. If you experience cramping let the administrator know so that the flow of the solution can be slowed or stopped to make your procedure more comfortable. Once the lavement is administered, you will probably feel the need to move your bowels. If possible, retain the solution for about 5 or 10 minutes to obtain optimum results, if you can not hold the solution go ahead and move to the toilet and release. Then start the procedure again.

Your most important safety measure while taking a lavement, as well as your most effective tool for a complete colon cleaning, starts and ends with relaxation and taking your time.
By taking your time while taking a lavement, you can can safely take up to 2 to 4 quarts of water to fill your colon.

By take your time we mean add the water very slowly, one-half to one cup{8 to16ozs.} per minute. By using this method, one does not need to insert a long colon tube deep into the colon. Also, you will be able to alleviate minor pain and cramping and minor irritation in the colon.

Water is the most important part of a therapeutic lavement because it is the main tool for cleaning your colon. A good lavement program consists of being able to infuse water deep into your colon to stimulate peristalsis {muscular contractions of the colon} throughout the entire colon, thus cleansing the majority of the colon and not just the rectal or sigmoid areas.
There are many sources of quality water. If you use tap water, make sure it has been filtered.

The temperature of the water is also very important. If the water is too cold, you are more likely to cause yourself unnecessary cramping and pain. If the water is too hot, you could damage the sensitive tissues of the colon. Recommended water temperature you use at time of injection should be 98º to 105º Fahrenheit.

Although there are many clinical facts which strongly suggest that toxins and poisons are absorbed in the digestive tract during constipation which can be alleviated by using a lavement.
The most popular lavement used today is the chemical lavement and works by drawing water out of the bloodstream and into the colon. The chemical lavement is not as safe as the warm water lavement. By dehydrating the bowel lining, a chemical lavement can cause a loss of electrolytes. {Not Recommended}

The sensory inputs from our digestive tracts can profoundly influence our emotions, our mental processes and our vasomotor balance Particularly in sensitive people the brain is profoundly influenced by afferent impulses coming from a distended, overactive bowel. A therapeutic recommendation is for lavements to relieve the pressure, in contrast to purgatives or laxatives. What is especially interesting is the broad variety of symptoms that can be caused by constipation, and relieved by a lavement.

"In cases of headache due to mechanical causes, particularly from constipation, relief is almost immediate after taking a lavement"

There is a positive effect from the lavement on the blood supply and tone of the colon. There are a few specific possible dangers, generally resulting from insertion of a stiff tube colon tubes, hard plastic nozzles these include perforation and can produce injury to the polypus, or injury to the rectal valve, and or abrasion of the intestinal wall.

A good lavement occurs when you are able to infuse enough liquid into your colon to stimulate peristalsis throughout the entire colon, thus cleaning the entire colon and not just the rectal or sigmoid areas.
Once enough water is in the colon, you then expel it, and the resulting waste, into the toilet.

You then repeat the process one or two more times. This is similar to a simple lavement, except for the volume of water you inject. Most people will find that, when done slowly, they can easily take 1-3 quarts of water during one injection. lavement bags are a perfect tool for putting water into your colon. a lavement bag can hold between 1-6 quarts of water. What follows are some simple guidelines for taking a successful lavement series*: Find a comfortable, warm area where you can lay down; yet, is easy for you to get up from and to easily get to the toilet. The bathroom floor can be ideal due to the proximity of the toilet. Many prefer to take a lavement series right in a hot bath tub. In this way, you are more comfortable and relaxed as your body is slightly lifted off the ground. Others prefer to take their lavement bag, a Rubber Matt and their IV Stand into their bedroom or sunny living room.

Taking a lavement in a sunny location is quite therapeutic, especially during the winter months. Try different locations until you find what works for you. Prepare your first lavement solution. Before you fill the bag, make sure the tubing clamp is shut tight so no water spills out as you are filling the bag. Using plain water often works well. The essential oils Peppermint, Frankincense, Fennel, and Lavender (1-3 drops of each) stimulate peristalsis and immune function. You can try them together or individually. I recommend them over soap, but if you want to use soap, use one teaspoon to one tablespoon of Dr. Bonners Hemp Aloe Vera Pure Castile Soap.
This will promote a positive musculature response, without chemical exposure, and move your bowels well. Water temperature of 98-103 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Hang the bag so the bottom of the bag is approximately two feet above the entrance to your rectum. Some people find that preparing two to three lavements using two to three different lavement bags, at the start of the lavement series, works best. For this purpose, it is an excellent idea to own an IV Stand. Use a non-petroleum lubricant. Petroleum products always take a toll on your liver. I like Super Salve the best or a similar plant-based lubricant. I will use the sterile, water soluble lubricating jellies such as KY Jelly or Surgilube. Olive oil and Vitamin E oil also work. Lie on your right side or your back, which ever makes insertion easier for you. Insert the lubricated nozzle. See article about lavement equipment to determine which nozzle is right for you.

Make sure you are comfortable and then open the clamp. Keep the clamp in your hand or nearby so you can, without difficulty, control the flow of water into your body. Go slowly! The skill needed for successful colon cleansing is to let only a small amount of water enter your colon at a time. If you add water too quickly, you will stimulate peristaltic action in the sigmoid and the rectum, making it near to impossible to get water into the transverse and ascending colon. If a hint of cramping occurs, immediately stop the flow and relax. Take a big breath and slowly let it out. When there is no more cramping, or 30-60 seconds have passed, resume filling your colon with small amounts of solution until your have taken in 1-3 quarts, or you can no longer tolerate the amount of cramping that is occurring. You do not need to force yourself to withstand any pain. If you were only able to take a pint of solution before you experience consistent cramping, sit on the toilet and let your bowel empty.

It can be helpful to gently massage your abdomen to assist the flow of the lavement solution into the entire colon. Massage your colon from the bottom left corner of your abdomen toward your chest, moving the water up the descending colon, then across toward the right, moving the water through the transverse colon and finally down the right side into the ascending colon and the cecum area. Reverse the direction of massage when eliminating the lavement solution. I use a massage tool called a Percussion Massager. It works wonders. If you have difficulty holding water or eliminating during a colon cleansing treatment, you may also want to try a massager.

Some people find that being on their left or their right side at some point during a session can make a big difference. Give it a try. Turn over onto your left side and, while gently massaging the abdomen, take in more water. This will facilitate filling the entire colon. Others find that lifting the buttocks off the ground with your body propped up on a pillow or using the yoga position of a full shoulder stand (not recommend if you haven’t tried this before) will further move the liquid into your colon. Try to retain the lavement for about 5-15 minutes on the first lavement. For the next lavement you do not have to retain the solution for a specific amount of time. Sit on the toilet and evacuate whenever you need to.
If you can't take all 2 quarts of water, that's okay. Take only what you can hold comfortably. On the first lavement, you are most likely very full in the sigmoid and rectal area. This is where the nerve endings that stimulate peristalsis are so it is very common to only be able to take a small amount of liquid on this first fill. Once you take the nozzle out and sit on the toilet. Make sure you first closed the clamp. After you have expelled your first lavement and most of the fecal matter on the toilet, you will want to repeat the procedure. This time follow the same procedure, but now try to increase the volume of water. With your colon now empty, you will have room for more water.

Taking into your colon 1-3 quarts of water is key to an effective lavement series. And, take only as much as you can comfortably hold. Do not put yourself in pain that last for more than a couple of passing seconds. Use pain as a guide to what your colon is comfortable with. Again, go slowly.