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Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Physicians Weigh in on Coffee Enema Trends
The social media trend of coffee enemas traces back to a medical tradition over 150 years old. Various enemas are integral to modern medicine and diagnostics. Coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk for certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and arrhythmias and is recommended as part of a healthy diet. Enema History Enemas have been used in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medicine for several millennia. The Ebers Papyrus and texts by Hippocrates, Celsus, Galen, Oribasius, Aetius, and Avicenna document their use, as do Ayurveda in the sixth century BC and Chinese medicine in the third century AD. Enemas reached their heyday under Louis XIV, and from the 19th century onward, physicians studied their applications and mechanisms. Florence Nightingale, often regarded as the first modern nursing theorist, used coffee enemas to relieve soldiers' pain during the Crimean War. This practice reportedly continued during the First World War, when doctors turned to coffee enemas as an alternative because of opioid shortages. They were also included in nursing manuals and listed in the editions of the Merck Manual throughout the 20th century. Max Gerson, MD, and William Donald Kelley, DDS, recommended several daily coffee enemas in addition to raw, plant-based diets for the treatment of cancer. Surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch observed benefits in advanced bone, joint, and skin tuberculosis. Gerson therapy is claimed to aid migraine, multiple sclerosis, deforming arthritis, epilepsy, skin diseases, Graves disease, liver, gallbladder, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders, obesity, hypertension, and end-stage cancer. Several studies have reported no evidence of its effectiveness in cancer treatment. Patient well-being improvements are often attributed to the placebo effect, although practitioners such as Linda L. Isaacs, MD, argue that skeptical patients experienced genuine benefits despite the cumbersome procedure and required motivation. Conventional Enemas In modern practice, enemas are administered before diagnostic or surgical procedures in obstetrics and pediatrics for severe constipation, spinal cord injury, drug administration, or as part of bowel management in inflammatory bowel disease. Enemas act mechanically, thermally, and chemo-osmotically to stimulate the intestinal mucosa and peristalsis. Prenatal bowel cleansing with an enema or suppository is now obsolete, as no reduction in perineal injuries, impaired wound healing, or infections has been observed. Increased intestinal peristalsis also increases uterine activity. Midwives use enemas to stimulate labor, but studies on their effect on the duration of labor are contradictory. Healthcare professionals reported greater satisfaction with the labor process when enemas were used, yet women reported no difference. An enema may be administered during childbirth at the patient's request or when the rectal ampulla is full. Coffee Effects The alkaloid caffeine contained in coffee has positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart via catecholamine release and raises systolic blood pressure; for instance, 250 mg raises systolic pressure by 10 mm Hg after 15 minutes. Caffeine causes mild cerebral vasoconstriction, relaxes bronchial smooth muscles, increases gastric acid secretion via gastrin release, and transiently increases diuresis. Theobromine and theophylline alkaloids in caffeine act as vasodilators, cough suppressants, and bronchodilators. The habituation effect occurs over time. Four to five cups of coffee daily can reduce gout attacks in men by up to 40% through increased uric acid excretion, while more than six cups may reduce attacks by 59%, although decaffeinated coffee is preferable as a supportive measure. Coffee enriched with chlorogenic acid–rich green coffee bean extracts showed increased DNA protection against oxidative damage and increased plasma-reduced glutathione via glutathione reductase activation. Roasting lowers chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, cafestol, and kahweol levels while increasing melanoidin and nicotinic acid levels. Coffee also contains pro-oxide compounds, such as caffeic acid, which can cause cancer at high doses. Moderate intake of three to five cups daily is linked to a reduced risk for endometrial and hepatocellular carcinoma and, to a lesser extent, melanoma, other skin cancers, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Six to seven cups daily were not significantly associated with a 30%-50% lower risk for type 2 diabetes. Chlorogenic acid inhibits intestinal glucose absorption and the hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate, and high-volume intake can increase homocysteine levels by 18%. Caffeine affects glucose storage, and quinic acid increases insulin sensitivity. Caffeine may stimulate the liver, promote bile flow by dilating the bile ducts, and improve toxin elimination. High doses of kahweol and cafestol have anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic diterpenes and can inhibit cholesterol-7alpha-hydroxylase, which is crucial for the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, leading to an increase in cholesterol levels by 11%. When coffee is filtered through a paper filter, most harmful compounds are removed, unlike boiled coffee or metal filters, such as those used in espresso machines. As a result, this method of preparation is considered healthier and does not increase cardiovascular risk. Low to moderate coffee consumption was associated with an 11%-20% lower risk for stroke and a reduced risk for dementia. However, drinking more than six cups of caffeinated coffee per day was associated with a smaller total brain volume and a 53% higher risk for dementia. High coffee and tea intake may reduce the risk for depression, unlike soft drinks. Coffee elevates mood and improves cognitive performance. Four to five cups can reduce the mortality risk by up to 12%. Increased caffeine intake is also associated with a lower risk for arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia, independent of genetically varying caffeine metabolism. Moderate coffee consumption is recommended, as it may alkalize the body. Caution is advised in peptic ulcer disease, cardiovascular disease, renal impairment, hyperthyroidism, seizure disorders, histamine intolerance, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and high doses during pregnancy. Interactions with certain antibiotics, specifically gyrase inhibitors, can interact with caffeine, leading to reduced caffeine metabolism, prolonged effects, and potentially increased gastrointestinal side effects or, with caffeine intake exceeding 1.5 g, restlessness, insomnia, palpitations, dizziness, hypertension, headaches, and vomiting. Therefore, active ingredient extracts should be investigated rather than whole coffee for therapeutic benefits. However, coffee can be used in unexpected ways beyond mere consumption. Positive Effects Patients reported relief from headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, malaise, and constipation, as well as improved well-being; these effects were not observed with coffee alone. Physicians use coffee enemas to support the treatment of atropine poisoning, postoperative anesthetic effects, shock, and pyloric obstruction. The controversial self-poisoning hypothesis, which links intestinal disorders to psychological conditions, is gaining renewed attention amid emerging microbiota research on the gut-brain axis. Enemas may enhance bile flow in the liver and gallbladder, stimulate peristalsis, and promote excretion of metabolic by-products and bowel emptying. The isolated caffeine was ineffective, suggesting that other compounds were responsible. A gallbladder-cleansing study before capsule endoscopy demonstrated increased bile flow using a coffee enema. Oral coffee increases gallbladder contraction and plasma cholecystokinin and glutathione levels. Oral absorption of caffeine is more efficient than rectal absorption, although rectal delivery is slightly faster, which is potentially true for other compounds. Coffee enemas may exhibit detoxification, cleansing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metabolism-stimulating, and pain-relieving effects. However, they should be prepared using green coffee rather than roasted or decaffeinated varieties because of their higher caffeine and palmitic acid content. These active compounds reach the liver directly via portal circulation, thereby avoiding irritation of the gastric mucosa. As a result, even individuals with coffee intolerance may tolerate the procedure when used at a reduced dose and for a shorter duration. For administration, the brewed coffee was diluted and cooled to a body temperature not exceeding 40 °C. Low volume and gentle pressure were intended to target the rectum and extend only to the descending colon. Side Effects Proctocolitis Rectal burns at temperatures above 37 °C Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia, hyponatremia with dehydration, nausea, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures Weakening of the rectal/intestinal muscles with a tendency to constipation and inflammation Hemorrhoidal injury Disruption of intestinal microbiota with cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and infection risk Circulatory strain Water intoxication due to non-isotonic fluids Rare fatalities attributed to coffee enemas likely reflect underlying terminal illnesses with vomiting-related electrolyte disturbances, ascites, pleural and pericardial effusions, immunosuppression, and susceptibility to infection with sepsis. Caution Enemas should be used with caution or avoided in early pregnancy in cases of vomiting, acute abdomen, post-intestinal surgery, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, mechanical ileus, immunosuppression, fluid overload, renal insufficiency, and severe cardiac disease. Conclusion Regular defecation supports natural cleansing of the body. A diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pseudocereals, nuts, seeds, and fermented foods with adequate hydration underpins good intestinal health and reduces the risk for cancer. Intermittent or short-term fasting is effective without colon cleansing. Enemas may support preparation for therapeutic fasting lasting several days by preventing hunger pangs or fasting crises. This story was translated from Univadis Germany.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Healing touch: 7 plants that could hold the key to the future of medicine
Humans have utilized plants in medicine for thousands of years. As a matter of fact, the Sumerians were the first to record their use of medicinal plants on a clay slab about 5,000 years ago. This ancient artifact even includes 12 recipes for drug preparation involving over 250 different plants. But they were not the only ones. The Egyptians also explored the benefits of medicinal plants, using them extensively in their treatments and rituals. They carefully wrote down nearly 850 of these remedies in what is today considered one of the oldest surviving medical texts—the Ebers Papyrus. The document, which dates back to 1550 BC, even offered treatments for everyday ailments like aches and pains by using willow bark, the precursor to aspirin. As medicine evolved over centuries, scientists experimented with active compounds of various plants, leading to their incorporation into many widely used drugs today. For instance, quinine—an alkaloid derived from the bark of the cinchona tree—became a crucial treatment for malaria. The opium poppy, in turn, provided morphine, a powerful narcotic analgesic. Even metformin, a widely used type 2 diabetes medication, traces its origins to the French lilac plant. Yet, with nearly 400,000 plant species on Earth, and around 31,000 of them known to have at least one recorded use, it's impossible to predict which species will aid the next major medical breakthrough. Could it lie hidden in the Amazonian rainforest? Or is it perhaps growing in someone's backyard? From the Madagascar periwinkle to South America's dragon's blood, here are seven plants that could revolutionize the future of medicine. The Madagascar periwinkle, also known as the rosy periwinkle, is a small flowering plant that grows as a herb or compact shrub. Native to the island of Madagascar, this plant has long been valued for its medicinal properties. Historically, local fishermen and sailors chewed its leaves to suppress hunger and combat fatigue during long journeys. It was also used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and infections. However, its true pharmaceutical potential was revealed in the 1950s when researchers discovered its powerful cancer combating properties. They then developed two key drugs from the periwinkle extract, vinblastine and vincristine, which are now used in chemotherapy for leukemia and in the treatment of Hodgkin'ss disease. As research progresses, scientists remain hopeful that more of the Madagascar periwinkle's active compounds could unlock future, more potent medical advancements. A study identified new indole alkaloids from this plant including catharoseumine, 14′,15′-didehydrocyclovinblastine, 17-deacetoxycyclovinblastine, and 17-deacetoxyvinamidine, which have successfully stopped the growth of human cancer cells in vitro. Hailing from the Amazonian rainforest and spread all across Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, And Peru, Croton lechleri is an evergreen tree that grows up to 39 feet tall. Commonly referred to as 'dragon's blood' this tree is best known for its distinctive deep red latex, which seeps out when the bark is cut. The blood-like sap, which is rich in bioactive compounds such as taspine and proanthocyanidins, has been valued for centuries in traditional medicine. Indigenous peoples of South America traditionally used it to treat various forms of diarrhea, including cholera, as well as insect bites, viral infections, inflammation, and wounds. A study from the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology shows that Croton lechleri possesses significant therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders, by promoting the healing of gastric ulcers and diarrhea. According to a different research, its leaves, bark, and sap are also of pharmaceutical interest for their potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor traits. Ginkgo, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique gymnosperm species endemic to China. It is regarded as a 'living fossil' because it has remained nearly unchanged for over 290 million years, dating back to the Permian period. Its nuts and leaves have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, mainly to treat heart and lung conditions, but also for depression and low sexual function. In recent years, Ginkgo has widely been studied for its potential cognitive benefits, as its leaves contain powerful compounds such as terpene lactones—ginkgolides and diterpenes—and ginkgo flavone glycosides ginkgetin, bilobetin, and sciadopitysin. These are believed to prevent memory loss, improve circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing blood viscosity, and alleviate symptoms of asthma and other inflammatory respiratory conditions like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology shows that Ginkgo seed extracts also have antibacterial properties, helping fight pathogens that cause skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the antibacterial activity of ginkgo seeds on skin pathogens," Cassandra Quave, PhD, a dermatology expert and senior author of the study, revealed in a statement. Native to Central Asia, Cannabis has been utilized for medicinal, recreational, and industrial purposes for thousands of years. Some of its historical uses include treating rheumatism, epilepsy and even managing sexually transmitted diseases. The reason for its diverse application is that it contains cannabinoids—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)—a group of active compounds that interact with the system and regulate pain, inflammation, and mood. Ongoing research suggests CBD may help lower blood pressure, treat anxiety and gastrointestinal disorders, prevent seizures, and fight cancer. A recent study published in Pain, has revealed that Cannabis sativa terpenes—small hydrocarbon compounds that give plants their aroma and taste—proved as effective as morphine in alleviating chronic neuropathic pain. When combined, the two analgesics provided even greater pain relief without any adverse effects. "What we found is that terpenes are really good at relieving a specific type of chronic pain with side effects that are low and manageable," said John Streicher, PhD, a professor of pharmacology at the College of Medicine-Tucson and lead researcher in a statement. Originating from the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, turmeric was valued as a bitter digestive and a carminative, aiding digestion and reducing bloating, in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties, turmeric contains the active compound curcumin, which has been studied for its potential to manage chronic conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and even several types of cancer. A 2023 study has shown that a natural compound in turmeric may be just as effective as omeprazole, a common acid-reducing drug, in relieving indigestion symptoms. In addition, using photodynamic therapy alongside curcumin has proven effective in reducing parasite load and even eliminating Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of infected sandflies. Commonly known as green chiretta or creat, Andrographis is a bitter-tasting annual plant native to South Asian countries, predominantly India and Sri Lanka. A significant medicinal plant in the Indian Ayurvedic system, it is utilized to treat many health conditions, including common colds, osteoarthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Its main components are flavonoids, polyphenols, and diterpenoids, with andrographolide being the most abundant and bioactive compound. In addition to its primary uses, it is also valued in the treatment of various ailments, including liver disorders, fever, jaundice, and digestive issues. Experts suggest it may have the potential to be used as a supplementary therapy for cardiovascular diseases. Research published in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that when used alongside chemotherapy, Andrographis—also referred to as the 'King of Bitters'—has the potential to transform the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer. Boswellia is a resin-producing tree known for providing Indian frankincense. It's native to India, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Aside from being commonly used in aromatherapy and religious ceremonies, it's also an integral part of Ayurvedic medicine. Due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-boosting properties, gum-resin extracts from Boswellia have been used to treat various chronic inflammatory conditions. Its extracts have been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms of asthma and irritable bowel syndrome, while also proving highly beneficial in treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory diseases. This is due to the presence of boswellic acids in the tree's resin, which are known to block inflammatory pathways, making it a promising natural remedy. "The resin from the trunk of Boswellia trees contains anti-inflammatory substances," Oliver Werz, PhD, a professor at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany explains in a statement. Research also suggests that Boswellia can enhance clinical cognitive scores, reduce systemic inflammation, and significantly improve learning and memory deficits in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
