Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy UsedSafetyCoffee Enema KitsProcedureGetting a Kit
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Used
Safety
Coffee Enema Kits
Procedure
Getting a Kit
A coffeeenemais a type of colon cleanse. It involves adding room-temperature brewed coffee to your rectum. It is the same process as a standard enema but coffee is used instead of other liquids.
While a standard enema clears your bowels to counter impacted stool or to empty the bowels before a procedure, a coffee enema is promoted as a way to detoxify your body. There are also claims that it can stimulate your liver. However, no quality scientific research has proven that it achieves these results.
Like other enemas, a coffee enema can lead to health problems if not used the right way. An infection or tissue damage can occur with misuse. A coffee enema carries the added risks of rectal burns and excess caffeine use.
This article describes why coffee enemas are used, their safety, and who should not get them. It also explains the methods and tools used to give a coffee enema.
burakkarademir / Getty Images
Coffee Enema: What Benefits Are People Looking For?
Regarded as a treatment of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), laypeople have adopted the use of a coffee enema cleanse for detoxification therapy, often hoping to achieve relief from the following:
Research indicates that drinking coffee promotes bowel movement with a laxative effect in about 30% of people (mostly women).However, there is no well-regarded scientific evidence that suggests that coffee enemas do much more than that. Research indicates they provide no more than the average laxative results from standard enemas containing saline and water.
How Safe Is a Coffee Enema?
Any type of self-administered enema can lead to side effects. When using coffee enemas, some of these problems can be severe or potentially harmful because they remove too muchpotassium, which can lead to the following complications:
Other potential side effects of coffee enemas include the following:
In a 2020 systematic review of nine case reports, researchers reviewed the safety and efficacy of home coffee enemas. All nine case reports warned against using coffee enemas. Of those cases, seven involved colitis, and two had more serious complications.
Another review reported that coffee enemas were linked with adverse effects that included sepsis, electrolyte balance, andproctocolitis, an inflammation of the rectum leading to three deaths in separate cases.
Enema Side Effects
Who Should Not Use Coffee Enemas?
Evidence from a systematic review found that the effectiveness of coffee enemas is unclear. Based on their potential adverse effects, researchers reported that coffee enemas can’t be advised without further studies on their safety and effectiveness.
Most healthcare providers warn against the use of coffee enemas.This aligns with guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has not approved Gerson therapy or coffee enemas in general for the treatment of cancer or any other disease.
While coffee enemas are a key component of Gerson therapy, the Gerson Institute warns that the use of coffee enemas is not advised for people with the following characteristics:
Talk to a Healthcare ProviderIf you are considering a coffee enema, consult a healthcare provider for advice on how it can affect your health.
Talk to a Healthcare Provider
If you are considering a coffee enema, consult a healthcare provider for advice on how it can affect your health.
Is Coffee Bad for You?
Coffee Enema Kit: What’s Inside?
Practitioners who promote the use of coffee enemas advise using organic light- or medium-roast coffee that is blended to include high amounts of caffeine for the greatest benefits. Instant or decaffeinated coffees are not recommended because they are processed and contain chemicals.
Alternatives to a Coffee EnemaWhile there is little evidence to support the use of enemas for detoxification, they can be used to relieve impacted stool or clear your colon for a procedure. While there is little evidence to support the safety of coffee enemas, the following liquids are more commonly used and accepted when an enema is needed:Saline solution: A saline or sodium phosphate enema is used to relieve constipation.Mineral oil: A mineral oil enema can relieve constipation and lubricate a sore anus in the case of problems likehemorrhoids.Bisacodyl: A bisacodyl enema is used to prepare for a procedure like acolonoscopy.
Alternatives to a Coffee Enema
While there is little evidence to support the use of enemas for detoxification, they can be used to relieve impacted stool or clear your colon for a procedure. While there is little evidence to support the safety of coffee enemas, the following liquids are more commonly used and accepted when an enema is needed:Saline solution: A saline or sodium phosphate enema is used to relieve constipation.Mineral oil: A mineral oil enema can relieve constipation and lubricate a sore anus in the case of problems likehemorrhoids.Bisacodyl: A bisacodyl enema is used to prepare for a procedure like acolonoscopy.
While there is little evidence to support the use of enemas for detoxification, they can be used to relieve impacted stool or clear your colon for a procedure. While there is little evidence to support the safety of coffee enemas, the following liquids are more commonly used and accepted when an enema is needed:
How to Do a Coffee Enema on Yourself
To do a coffee enema on yourself, carefully read the instructions that accompany your coffee enema kit. Every kit and its components can vary, affecting the results you achieve.
Common instructions for doing a coffee enema on yourself typically align with the following instructions:
To prepare for a coffee enema, do the following:
To administer a coffee enema, do the following:
How to Use an Enema Safely
Where to Find a Coffee Enema Kit
You can get a coffee enema kit from major online and brick-and-mortar retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. They are also available from online websites that specialize in organic and natural health treatments.
You do not need a prescription to purchase a coffee enema in the United States. These kits are sold over the counter with instructions and supplies intended for home use.
You may also be able to book a coffee enema treatment at a local holistic health or colonic hydrotherapy center, depending on your location.
Summary
Current research does not support the use of coffee enemas to cleanse your colon and detoxify your body. Case reports show that using these products can lead to adverse effects that can be severe.
Without studies that show coffee enemas are safe and can achieve promised results, researchers advise against them. Many healthcare providers support this view.
While coffee enemas are touted as a treatment for many health problems like cancer, proof of these claims is lacking. To help reduce your risk of adverse effects, consult your healthcare provider before using these products at home.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Enemas.Gerson Institute.How it works.Gerson Institute.Coffee enema: 8 things you need to know.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: a systematic review of case reports.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998.Iriondo-DeHond A, Uranga JA, del Castillo MD, Abalo R.Effects of coffee and its components on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain–gut axis.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):88. doi:10.3390/nu13010088Cancer Research UK.Gerson therapy.Lee AH, Kabashneh S, Tsouvalas CP, et al.Proctocolitis from coffee enema.ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(1):e00292. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000292National Cancer Institute.Gerson therapy (PDQ) - patient version.Optimal Health Network.2-quart coffee enema bucket kit with silicon colon tube.MedlinePlus.Sodium phosphate rectal.MedlinePlus.Fecal impaction.Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Optimal Health Network.How to do a coffee enema: recipe and instructions.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Enemas.Gerson Institute.How it works.Gerson Institute.Coffee enema: 8 things you need to know.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: a systematic review of case reports.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998.Iriondo-DeHond A, Uranga JA, del Castillo MD, Abalo R.Effects of coffee and its components on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain–gut axis.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):88. doi:10.3390/nu13010088Cancer Research UK.Gerson therapy.Lee AH, Kabashneh S, Tsouvalas CP, et al.Proctocolitis from coffee enema.ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(1):e00292. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000292National Cancer Institute.Gerson therapy (PDQ) - patient version.Optimal Health Network.2-quart coffee enema bucket kit with silicon colon tube.MedlinePlus.Sodium phosphate rectal.MedlinePlus.Fecal impaction.Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Optimal Health Network.How to do a coffee enema: recipe and instructions.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Enemas.Gerson Institute.How it works.Gerson Institute.Coffee enema: 8 things you need to know.Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: a systematic review of case reports.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998.Iriondo-DeHond A, Uranga JA, del Castillo MD, Abalo R.Effects of coffee and its components on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain–gut axis.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):88. doi:10.3390/nu13010088Cancer Research UK.Gerson therapy.Lee AH, Kabashneh S, Tsouvalas CP, et al.Proctocolitis from coffee enema.ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(1):e00292. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000292National Cancer Institute.Gerson therapy (PDQ) - patient version.Optimal Health Network.2-quart coffee enema bucket kit with silicon colon tube.MedlinePlus.Sodium phosphate rectal.MedlinePlus.Fecal impaction.Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087Optimal Health Network.How to do a coffee enema: recipe and instructions.
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Enemas.
Gerson Institute.How it works.
Gerson Institute.Coffee enema: 8 things you need to know.
Son H, Song HJ, Seo HJ, Lee H, Choi SM, Lee S.The safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enema: a systematic review of case reports.Medicine (Baltimore). 2020;99(36):e21998. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021998.
Iriondo-DeHond A, Uranga JA, del Castillo MD, Abalo R.Effects of coffee and its components on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain–gut axis.Nutrients. 2021;13(1):88. doi:10.3390/nu13010088
Cancer Research UK.Gerson therapy.
Lee AH, Kabashneh S, Tsouvalas CP, et al.Proctocolitis from coffee enema.ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(1):e00292. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000292
National Cancer Institute.Gerson therapy (PDQ) - patient version.
Optimal Health Network.2-quart coffee enema bucket kit with silicon colon tube.
MedlinePlus.Sodium phosphate rectal.
MedlinePlus.Fecal impaction.
Yang HJ, Park DI, Park SK, et al.A randomized controlled trial comparing colonoscopic enema with additional oral preparation as a salvage for inadequate bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019 Sep;53(8):e308-e315. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001087
Optimal Health Network.How to do a coffee enema: recipe and instructions.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
