In one of my first-ever articles, a reader asked, “I read your piece on colonics and I have to say, I don’t get why anyone would do this. Is colonics even safe?” Here’s my answer:
Well, remember, colonic irrigation is a valid medical procedure and enemas have been around a long time. BUT, I agree with you. There’s nothing natural about it. And it’s often not performed legally.
What Colonics Is
When you go in for a colonics treatment, a technician will insert a soft nozzle into your rectum and then force liquid into your large intestine, which is what doctors call your colon. (Hence the terms “colonics” and “colonic hydrotherapy”.)
In most cases, you’ll be asked to “hold” in the liquid while the technician “massages” your abdominal area—supposedly to “release” stuck feces. Ultimately, either on your own or with the help of the colonics machine, your colon is allowed to empty itself of the liquid and you’re done.
“In my personal opinion, there’s nothing natural about filling your colon with water. It simply wasn’t designed to work that way.”
Coffee or Tea, Anyone?
Often, the liquid used is just plain water but some colonics providers use herbal teas or even just plain old coffee. And, yes, you will absorb the caffeine through your intestinal wall. (Absorbing water is your colon’s main function, after all.)
What Colonics Is Supposed to do for You
Like most people who work in “natural” health, colonics providers believe that the health of your colon is directly tied to the health of the rest of your body. This comes from a very, very old idea that seems to have found new life lately.
Is there any truth to that idea? As a matter of fact, yes. Your intestines are a vital part of your immune system and studies have found that by manipulating the bacterial colonies in your intestinal tract, you may actually be able to reduce symptoms of IBS, allergies and even some types of arthritis.
BUT, colonics themselves are of no known benefit and may be harmful. In 2003, the Attorney General of Texas (where naturopathy is actually illegal and colonics can only be performed under the supervision of a qualified medical physican) sued 6 colonics practitioners after one patient died and several other experienced infections and perforated bowels.
You Tell Me. Is Colonics Safe?
So, after learning the facts about colonics, you tell me. Is this something you would do? Do YOU consider colonics natural?
