We received this email from a reader who was struggling with using my Probiotic Retention Enema, and I wanted to share it with ya’ll in case there were anyone else having the same issues.
A probiotic retention enema is the fastest way to implant a mega-dose of beneficial bacteria straight into the colon and lower part of the small intestine – and it can provide dramatic healing results. As the name suggests, this is not a cleansing or flushing enema, but rather it is an implant or retention enema – where the goal is to hold the mixture in your colon until the liquid is completely absorbed.
Many people use it during severe inflammation and bleeding for quick healing, whilst others prefer to wait until things have calmed down a bit and they’re tolerating the probiotics well orally first. You really have to just follow your own body wisdom (intuition) on when would be best for you. Even people who have not seen great results from oral probiotic supplementation (it takes longer and can be more difficult to colonize via oral supplementation) see significant symptom clearing following this retention enema.
If you haven’t tried Jini’s Probiotic Retention Enema yet, maybe Jay’s story here will inspire you.
Question: Hi. I tried to do the retention enema described in Listen to your Colon, and it was disastrous! I warmed the water to 90 degrees but could not get all the lumps out. I had called Natren and was told not to warm it more, and not to shake it but just stir it. Well, first I tried just putting it in a 10 oz bulb syringe, but it was too thick to go through the attachment, then I transferred it to an enema bucket, but it was too thick to go through the tubing, and also it could not all get in the tube anyway because the bucket cannot be completely drained. (Btw, I cannot tolerate those orange plastic enema bags, and I use all silicone tubing, and my bulb syringe also was white and non-smelly.)
I want to try again but I need more tips please! I know adding water will thin it but then may not make it possible to retain the fluid. In others’ experiences, how warm can the water be?
Answer: Different people’s bodies like different things. You could try it at room temperature and see if you tolerate that better. But you can’t go higher than body temperature and usually hotter liquids are harder to retain anyway.
Rather than adding more water to thin it, I would use the amount of liquid you think you can tolerate, and then reduce the probiotic amounts accordingly. Even 1/4 tsp of each probiotic would be a good start! Think of it this way: ANY probiotics you can get your colon to retain are better than none. So don’t be impatient with your body and go slowly, giving it time to adjust to this new procedure.
Here’s how you mix the probiotics in the filtered water to ensure no lumps:
1. Put 1-2 tbsp of water in a glass.
2. Add your probiotics and mix with a spoon to form a smooth paste – crushing lumps against the side of the glass and squashing them smooth.
3. Then add 2 more tbsp. of water and mix again until dissolved and smooth.
4. Add the rest of your water and mix again until smooth.
5. If you need to go slowly and take a while to get all the mixture into your colon; then shake or squish the enema bag around from time to time to keep the powders from settling on the bottom.
The Best Enema Bag?
An enema bucket is not really the best system for this type of application, since you cannot mix the probiotics as you administer them (by squishing or massaging the enema bag). I have found the best enema bag to use is this disposable enema bag (and it is white/clear and has no nasty rubber smell either). Although this is a disposable enema bag, you can actually wash it in hot soapy water, then rinse it in hot water, and re-use it multiple times.
The tip on this disposable enema bag is also much thinner than the tip on non-disposable enema bags – so it is ideal for those with a sensitive, inflamed or wounded rectum. It is also ideal for children or babies. This is the enema bag I use on myself when needed.
Hope that helps and if anyone has any further questions, please post them in the COMMENTS section below…
Original post dated 2011. Most recently updated September 2021.
Thanks for the great tips! The mixing advice reminds me of making gravy or white sauce – make the roux first then slowly add liquid while stirring, so this is a familiar concept that makes total sense! My question is – doesn’t a warmer solution help resolve the lumps more easily? If so, how warm can the water be? I have no problem with a warm enema solution, but I don’t want to kill the probiotic.
MARY – you go can go up to body temperature – 98 degrees. But using this method it mixes just fine in room temperature water.
I have used the bag before, but also had troubles. For one, it was too much water for my system to hold. So I spliced the enema bag tubing with a disposable enema bottle. It works great. Here’s a pitcure: http://www.naturaldigestivehealing.com/blog/2011/02/06/bacteriotherapy-summary-post/family-albums-2/
Best,
Matt
I am stringing 2 ounce of probiotics daily for my husband as he is not too keen on the full enema. Some days I try to stringe more, mayb 4 ounce. is there such a thing as probiotics overdose? His inflammation marker is still a few points above normal. He just started WOO 10 drops 3 times a day plus probiotics powder drink before sleep. He is also taking 200mg Azathioprine and 2000mg Pentasa. Thanks
Hi Cassandra,
I’m afraid we cannot comment on the prescription medication but we’re not aware of any instance where one could overdose on probiotics but, even if there was, your husband wouldn’t really have to worry about it since he’s also using WOO.
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
I am considering putting Penta Water in my probiotic retention enemas. I am wondering if it is superior to spring water or purified water. There is a locally owned health food store near us called Roberta’s. They changed the name from Healthway. One of the former owners, or a family member of the owner was diagnosed with Crohn’s. Rumor has it that this person never went anywhere without Penta Water and swore by it for the Crohn’s.
One day, I went into Roberta’s. I told the employees about my Angstrom iron and Mini Minerals Bone Support. They said that reminds them of Penta Water but better. They told me that Penta Water is broken down small…(and some other scientific explanation that I do not remember.)
Now I know that you will say that any bottled water is good for the probiotic retention enema. However, if Penta Water is BETTER for healing, etc., then I will use it the for probiotic retention enemas.
Hi Susan,
We’ve never seen any credible scientific evidence that Penta water is special in any way. We’d suggest just sticking with normal filtered water for the enema and saving your money.
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
I am currently taking the healthy trinity probiotics. Is it okay to empty a couple of those capsules into water for a retention enema? The book recommends the individual powders, but I don’t have those on hand.
Thanks,
Jen
Hi Jen,
Yes, you can certainly substitute the contents of the healthy trinity capsules and use them in the enema. It’s just more cost effective to use the powders and easier because you don’t have to open up capsules to get to the probiotics.
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
ALTHOUGH you might find it very difficult to open the Healthy Trinity capsules – last time I tried, they were sealed pretty darn well!
How often can I administer a probiotic retention enema? I know your book says to administer the enema once monthly for Phase II, but will I benefit more if I can handle weekly enemas? I feel so much better after the first!
Hi Kelly,
Jini has a number of readers who have told us that they do the enemas weekly and have experienced good results. Many people have difficulty with the enema process so the once/month frequency mentioned in the book is just what Jini suggests to “supercharge” the propagation of good gut flora.
Kind regards,
Justin
Customer Care
Can I do a coffee enema followed by probiotic enema? What is the protocol for probiotic enemas when also doing coffee… thank you!
Hello Jamie,
We do not have experience with doing the coffee enemas with the probiotic enemas. However, Jini says a lot of people are sensitive to coffee with IBD/IBS so you may want to be cautious of that if that is what you are trying to treat. So there is a chance that doing the coffee enemas along with the probiotic that the probiotic enemas may not have as much of a effect than without the coffee. If you decide to do both we would love to hear how it works for you. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
I wanted to suggest maybe a cartoon or animation on how to do this? it’s a bit awkward/hard to do and all of Jini’s videos are amazing – obviously she can’t really make one for this but an animation of a person doing it would be so good to make figuring out how to do this easier!
Hello Ruth,
Thank you for the idea! Enema’s are just one of those things that sometimes can take some trial and error to figure out what works for best for you! Sometimes just need to read over directions a few times and take it step by step and give it a few times to try. If you have any questions concerning the instructions or on anything else please let us know.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
Hello,
I have ulcerative proctitis and use a Canasa (anti inflammatory) suppository during flare ups. This made me think that I might be able to use the probiotics in capsule form as a suppository at bedtime instead of a liquid retention enema. Is there a reason this wouldn’t work? It seems less messy and I would be able to retain the probiotics, as long as the capsule dissolves, overnight instead of just 15 minutes. I just finished 10 days of amoxicillin for strep throat, followed with a diflucan, and thought it would be good timing to try probiotic enemas. Also, do you recommend a specific oral probiotic for a four year old? My son was just treated for strep as well.
Thank you!
Hello Laura,
We would not recommend using a capsule rectally. They are not designed for dissolving in that area, and we cannot be certain on the safety of using them that way. We would recommend best doing it in the enema with just the powder of the probiotics. For children, the best probiotics we recommend are the Natren Life Start supplements. You can see the ones we sale here: http://shoppe.listentoyourgut.com/shop-by-probiotics
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Kind Regards,
Rachel
Customer Care
Hi Jini do you have a new book out ? I noticed at the top of this article it noted that the person writing mentions what seems like the title of another book called ” Listen to your Colon ” is this this the title of a new book or a typo on ” Listen to your Gut ” ?
Please let me as if it is I would like to purchase it if it is useful to people who have already lost their colon .
Hello Frank,
“Listen to your Colon” is another book by Jini Patel, published in 2009. If you’ve been suffering from daily discomfort due to constipation, then this book is for you.
Kind Regards,
Cris
Customer Service
Hello Jini,
I have been GI sick for 4 years. Just got my Comprehensive Stool Test Results and I have Klebsiella oxytoca that is Dysbiotic Flora, along with 3 other bacteria that are imblanced. Grapeseed extract was sugested. Can it be taken via enema? How much? And, for by mouth what dose should I take? My system is super sensitive to most supplements and I’m only able to eat steamed squash, carrots and little chicken. Please help.
Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately, we can’t comment on that particular application for that condition as we haven’t tested it. You can also check Jini’s Wild Oil Of Oregano.
Jini’s Wild oregano oil is an amazing healing substance with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-parasitic capabilities. You can get the eBook for FREE by signing up in the PINK box at the left side of this page. Click the link below:
http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/36/the-flu.html
Kind Regards,
Cris
Customer Care
I am having delayed gastric emptying with severe silent reflux and having to use laxatives and still barely any movement. I was going this method of getting probiotics into my body would be effective as opposed to oral. What product do you recommend and is it difficult?
Hi Summer,
Thank you for contacting us. You can drink high quality nutrients: Gastroparesis with severe reflux, barely no bowel movement, the stress of not knowing what to eat, or being afraid to eat can cause psychological stress that is likely to make you feel worse. The easy way to get a complete, highly nutritious healing shake is to use Absorb Plus with 1 tablespoon of Udo’s oil or flax oil added. Also, here are links to several blog posts where Jini give recipes and ideas for liquid foods that are easily tolerated, but also super high in nutrients – that may even improve your overall health:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/use-common-foods-to-heal-inflammatory-bowel-disease/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/jinis-favorite-raw-juice-recipes-juicing-or-blending/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/raw-grass-fed-whey-protein/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/whole-food-healing-super-delish-smoothies/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-to-make-a-vegan-elemental-shake/
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/raw-nutrient-shake/
You can also take L. acidophilus on an empty stomach (otherwise it’s destroyed by digestive stomach acid). Only use Natren Inc.’s Megadophilus (L. acidophilus DDS-1) in powder form, 1/2 tsp. mixed in 6-8 ounces of room-temperature spring or filtered water, sipped slowly, 15-20 minutes before meals, and/or before bed on an empty stomach. Your condition might be caused by a lack of good bacteria in the stomach and/or too much bad bacteria.
Like Jini often says, It’s very important to treat all the root causes which is where you always look when treating the body. If we don’t get to the root cause or imbalance in the body, we will never have healing – symptom soothing, masking or repression, yes – but not healing.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions!
Kind Regards,
Cris
Customer Care
Thank you so much for the reply!
Hi! I have Gastroparesis too and I’m considering trying this diet/supplement plan. Did it work for you? Thanks!
I have been using the Oregano oil for over a year now and was doing really great for awhile but I am now fighting a really bad Colitis flairup and can’t seem to get any relief even though I am still taking the Oregano oil and heavy doses of probiotics 2 to 3 times a days..what am I doing wrong? Is there a point where you need to stop the Oregano oil or is it ok to take long term?
Hi Robie,
Sorry to hear about what your are going through right now. During a flare-up it’s best to consume a liquid, pre-digested diet to provide a form of bowel rest and flushing of the colon and best to stick to only liquid nutrition for the entire duration of the flare-up. Additional substances, like aloe vera juice, and MucosaHeal can be used to eliminate the infection and heal inflammation during this time.
Regarding the length of time you can stay on the wild oregano oil, you’re fine with continuous use as long as you’re continuing to supplement with the healthy trinity probiotics. On pages 152-155 of Listen to Your Gut, Jini explains the specific dosing instructions so you may want to start again with phase 1.
Also Jini definitely recommends looking into all aspects in your life in healing, emotional, household products, etc. It can all effect your physical health, as she talks about on the website and in the book. This article below will help you get into the different reasons why you are not seeing the results of your healing efforts:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/why-am-i-not-seeing-results/
We wish you all the best! Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Kind Regards,
Cris
Customer Care
Has anyone experienced exhaustion after a Jini’s probiotic enema?
Hi Stephanie,
It could be die-off effect. Check-out blog post below from Jay Baluk (a.k.a. CROHNSBOY) who tried Jini’s Probiotic Retention Enema and experienced exhaustion after doing the Enema:
http://crohnsboy.blogspot.com/2009/02/tried-jinis-pro-biotic-retention-enema.html
Kind Regards,
Cris B
Customer Care
“Exhaustion” is perhaps a warning that body / plasma chemisty has been pushed too far away from normal limits.
My wife, an R.N., “encourages” me to have her mix all enemas that I take or give to her. She always starts with distilled water then adds Salt, Baking Soda and some other “electrolytes.
To help avoid, “that tired feeling” she reminds me to open a bottle of sports drink and sip on that.
Nice forum site. And, It’s important to remember that much of the credit must go to the participants
I made the change from Oral Probiotics to rectal early this year.
I enema once a week and alternate between a Gerson retention coffee procedure one weekend and a Probiotic the next weekend. This seems to prevent the coffee solution from wiping out flora in the lower colon.
Retention probiotic enema seems noticeably effective in about one week. This result, even though my colon is still heavy with waste when I start the enema. My naturopath pointed me to Phyllis Balch’s procedure for her “Whey+probiotic” enema. Her routine calls for three enemas to precede the probiotic injection. One plain water then a two-quart water enema with juice of two lemons. After those clear out the subject receives a quart of the whey mixture along with the probiotic mixture.
The amount of waste that is expelled along with my ‘retained’ probiotic mixture leads me to suspect that the probiotic may not be fully absorbed into the lining of my colon.
I did the probiotics retention enema two days ago. I woke up this morning with a lot of cramping and gas. Is this something to be concerned about? I have Crohn’s, but I have not experienced cramping like this before or at least not in a long time. My diet has kept my gas problems mostly under control.
Hello T,
Thank you for reaching out. Many people use Jini’s Probiotic Retention Enema during severe inflammation and bleeding for quick healing, whilst others prefer to wait until things have calmed down a bit and they’re tolerating the probiotics well ORALLY first. If you did took them orally for a while with no issues, then try a pinch of each strain for the enema instead of 1 serving (1/2 tsp.) and see how your gut reacts. If you get too much die-off, or cramping etc. then it’s too soon, or you need to go slower. Everyone’s pace is different, so you need to listen to your own gut.
Best,
Cris B
Customer Care
Hi my husband has Crohn’s and he developed a anal fistula. He is on Oregano oil protocol phase 1. He still has some yellowish discharge. Is it still a sign of infection? Can he start with probiotic retention enema? Thank you.
Hi Mari – yellowish discharge can still be a sign of infection, yes. I would recommend reading Jini’s FISTULA AND ANAL ABSCESS TREATMENT SUMMARY at our home remedy page for anal fistula: https://listentoyourgut.com/fistula-anal/
Hello,
I did the retention enema before bed. Had to wake up around 6 am to release the liquid (which was similar in colour to the probiotics). Does this mean the probiotics didn’t absorb?
Hi Ragevan – 6 hours should be plenty of time for the probiotics to be absorbed. There is always a bit of residue left when it comes to enemas. 🙂
Hi, I just got the book on Natural Treatment for gut infection specifically to get the instructions for the probiotic retention enema, but I am not clear on how long to use it? It read i these Q&As that it can be applied as often as weekly, but the book doesn’t say for how long. One month? 2? 3? OR.
Thank you
Hi Alicia! Good question! In regards to frequency of use, it depends on your body and symptoms. I had times in the midst of a flare I used this daily until symptoms resolved (for months) and then times where I just used this on occasion. I would always tune into my body and slowly reduced frequency as symptoms got better. I hope this helps!
Jini,
What probiotics would you recommend for me? I have Crohn’s and no colon, I have a J pouch that connects to my rectum which I’m told I only have 2 to 3 inches of rectum. I continue to get fistulas and inflammation in the 2 inches of rectum that I have. I want a probiotic that is also good for my small bowel as I want to keep it healthy and disease free.
Thank you!
Melody
Hello, and great question! Jini only recommends Natren brand probiotics for various reasons, one of them being the meticulous care Natren puts into separating each strain so they can actually populate on the intestinal tract. These probiotics treat the entire GI tract!
We tell people to start with the probiotic powders because they are easier to manage the dosage with. I would start with one strain (beginning at a very low dose to test for tolerance – even just a pinch at first if you find you can’t tolerate larger amounts) and then work your way up to a full dose of the one strain.
Once your body acclimates and can tolerate the strain, THEN add in the 2nd – and so on and so forth with the 3rd as well until you are taking all three powders at the full desired dosage: https://shoppe.listentoyourgut.com/products/natren-healthy-start-system-tripack
You can also grab Jini’s free eBook here to learn more about probiotics: https://listentoyourgut.com/probiotics/
And since you mentioned you have a J pouch, here is a post from an LTYG reader in which Jini adds her two cents: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/colectomy-and-j-pouch-tips/
Here is some information on fistulas that may also be really helpful for you: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/natural-treatments-for-anal-fissures-fistulas-dmso-wild-oregano-more-video/
Get better soon! – Linsy
Hello
Can I combine the healing enema ( comfrey, slippery elm, marshmallow root) with the probiotic retention enema?
Hi Shelley,
Any herb with any kind of anti-microbial activity, cannot be combined with probiotics. We also don’t know what possible interactions these herbs could have with the probiotics, so personally, I would not combine the two. All my best!
I felt very weird after doing a probiotic enema. Gave me lots of gas. Seems like it aggravated the gut. Gas and nausea. Could it be die off or inflammatory response. Perhaps mast cells?
I’m sorry to hear about your experience with the probiotic enema. Have you been able to tolerate probiotics orally prior to trying the enema? This will help us understand if your body had difficulty with probiotics before doing the enema.
I used to take probiotics but ever since I my histamine worsened and I was diagnosed with SIBO I stopped taking them. Someone told me it’s Mast cell activation syndrome.
I used custom probiotics lactate free. No filler.
I guess I’m not ready for it yet perhaps the gut is over stressed. I’m in a constant fight or flight mode.
Bloating is often a sign of die off (herxheimer reaction) which is not a result of the probiotics, but what they are displacing. Jini and Natasha (founder of Natren) discuss that here: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/why-cant-i-tolerate-probiotics/
Most people also start with oral probiotics supplementation, beginning with just 1 pinch (1/8 tsp) and increasing very gradually. If you experience too much die-off or bloating, it may be too soon, or you may need to go slower. Everyone’s pace is different, so you need to listen to your own gut.
Thank you. Is it possible that the enema probiotics could cause overgrowth in the large intestine or cause an infection?
We have heard from people reacting to Probiotics enema due to herx reaction but have not heard about the Probiotics Enema causing overgrowth or an infection. Everyone’s pace is different, so you must listen to your gut. Jini also outlines several probiotic approaches on page 197 of her Listen to Your Gut book for more information.