The 10 Best Enema Kits
Editor's Notes
November 09, 2020:
We had to remove the Reverse Coffee Co. Glass because of availability concerns, and we also chose to remove the PureLife Clear due to a lack of consumer interest.
We've added the Premium Enema 2-Quart, an option with two kinds of tips and more backups than most, and also the Flents Combination, a highly affordable choice with a rubber reservoir that can double as a hot or cold water bottle.
Finally, we also chose to add the Otbba Bulb, which is a no-frills option for those who don't want to pay for accessories like backup tips or hanging hooks. Though not as versatile as more comprehensive sets, it's compact, simple, and inexpensive enough that we felt it deserved a place on the list.
December 03, 2019:
A lot of emphasis is rightly placed on the quality and design of the tips that come with these kits, as these are the things that actually have to penetrate your body, and if they aren't comfortable enough, you won't want to use the device. That said, we believe that the safety of the liquid entering your system should be held in equally high regard. It's for that reason that we decided to flush the SoulGenie HealthAndYoga, whose bucket was not made of stainless steel and would occasionally produce extraordinarily tiny metal fragments if cleaned too hard, potentially endangering a very sensitive area of your body.
Something like the Reverse Coffee Co. Glass eliminates this risk by using a glass bucket, and by giving users a thermometer to test the temperature of their cleanse, whether they're trying to bring some water up to body temp or trying to get some coffee to cool off to a safe degree. That's also why the Cleanstream All-In-One System does well, but doesn't quite reach the top of our list, as its flow control is excellent and you can easily adjust its temperature by changing the setting of your shower knobs, but it's hard to determine exactly how hot that is, and since so many of us like very hot showers, it can run the risk of introducing water that's too hot to your system.
How An Enema Works
This fluid stimulates a bowel movement, either immediately or after some time depending on how constipated you are.
For many, enemas can conjure up images of intense colonics clinics, or that cayenne pepper and lemon juice cleanse that Beyonce and other stars are so proud of. But the device is actually very gentle, and designed to help mimic your bowel's natural activity, causing little to no cramping, and leaving you feeling lighter and cleaner.
To put it simply, an enema is just fluid injected into the lower bowel. The fluid is usually water and can be kept in large or small containers. It is fed into a small syringe made from medical grade, easy-glide materials like silicone. You inject the syringe into your rectum and squeeze the bulb or bag that contains the fluid. This fluid stimulates a bowel movement, either immediately or after some time depending on how constipated you are.
While enemas are most frequently used to relieve constipation, they can also be used to administer medicine or water when someone cannot receive these items orally. In some cases, doctors use the tool to send in a radiocontrast agent that makes x-rays easier to see, so he or she can better diagnose health issues in your colon or lower intestine. Enemas are popular in alternative health because holistically minded doctors feel that they do not interfere with your body's regular functions, and they won't lead to dependency issues. Recently, the medical world has welcomed the use of coffee enemas since they aid in several of your body's important functions.
For best results, apply KY or medical grade jelly to your rectum to make inserting the syringe easier. You should also put some sort of padding on the floor, so you can comfortably kneel while inserting it. If you're giving yourself the enema, find something to hang the bag on vertically. This helps the water flow down into the tube more easily.
The History Of The Enema
Today, enema fluid is contained in a small bulb or a large bag that looks similar to an IV, but enemas weren't always designed with our comfort in mind. From the 17th to the 19th century they came in something called a clyster syringe — a device that was often made from cold materials like surgical steel, and that worked like a plunger.
Cultures past were not as private about their digestive health as we are today.
Cultures past were not as private about their digestive health as we are today. In 1550 BCE, Ancient Egypt, doctors regularly used enemas to administer medication, and they made special fluid mixes for the pharaoh.
The enema has shown up for religious and ceremonial purposes, too, with one of the first major civilizations in Mexico — the Olmec — using it to ingest trance-inducing substances. Historians suspect the 7th through 10th-century BCE Mayans used the device to ingest hallucinogens, and they've confirmed that the Greek philosopher Celsus of the 2nd century BCE prescribed enemas of pearl barley in milk or rose oil to treat dysentery.
It wasn't until the 17th century that enemas were created for at-home use. The largest market for these newer models was France. Reports have it that King Louis XIV of France adored enemas so much that the Duchess of Burgundy had her servant give her one in his court, for all of his attendants to witness. Reports also have it that the King was just as shocked and disgusted by this as you are now – he didn’t love enemas that much it turned out.
Can Constipation Harm Your Health?
You may be thinking, "Great. Enemas are just one more thing I need to add to my routine, on top of shaving and brushing my teeth." Luckily you don't need to use enemas regularly, but turning to them when you are seriously constipated can help you prevent further health issues.
If you're a woman hoping to have children one day, severe and regular constipation can hurt your reproductive system.
Constipation can put you at higher risk for enlarged hemorrhoids, which can increase your chances of getting colorectal cancer. This happens because stuck stools stretch out your colon, irritating it and opening it up to toxins that can ferment in there. If you’ve struggled with your weight, you should know that constipation can interfere with your ability to sense when you are full after a meal, so addressing this problem could help you in your fitness goals.
If you're a woman hoping to have children one day, severe and regular constipation can hurt your reproductive system. Your large intestines and your uterus sit extremely close together, and when the former is too full, it puts too much pressure on the ladder. Here's another scary fact: both genders are susceptible to rectal prolapse from straining due to constipation. That's not only dreadful aesthetically, but quite painful and difficult to repair.