Colon hydrotherapy (CHT) is fast becoming one of the most dynamic areas of interest in the field of complementary and alternative health modalities. Many medical professionals are verifying the value of colon hydrotherapy (also referred to as colonics, colon irrigation or high enemas) as CHT is once again gaining recognition in part because of modern colonic instrumentation.

The emergence of this ancient health practice is also entering mainstream consciousness as celebrities Matt Damon, Madonna, Usher, Janet Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Aniston, Elizabeth Hurley, motivational speaker Anthony "Tony" Robbins and a host of other celebrities as well as professional athletes speak publicly about their personal use of colonic hygiene.

Diseases and functional disturbances of the digestive organs are the most frequently complained about health issues today. The health of most organs as well as our overall well‑being depends upon how well our bowel (intestine) functions. A change in diet after many years of unhealthy eating habits does not assure optimal colon health.

While colon hydrotherapy is neither a cure nor a treatment for disease, colonic irrigation initiates peristalsis (wave-like contractions that move material through the colon) and gently washes the colon of debris. Caroline Alexander an International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT) certified Instructor of Colon Hydrotherapy and President of Healthy Muse, Inc. states, “Colon hydrotherapy is the irrigation of the colon with purified water using sterile, disposable nozzles and hygienic equipment in a comfortable setting in order to evacuate the contents of the bowel.

While the procedure is commonly used for cleansing of the colon before endoscopic or radiological examination; reasons for doing colon hydrotherapy vary across the world and among medical professionals. Check with a certified colon hydrotherapist, licensed healthcare practitioner, or physician in your area as to its value in your overall self-care program/regime”.

Historical View Historians tell us that the practice of Colon Hydrotherapy or, in its most basic form, the enema was first used by the Egyptians. The Ebers Papyrus, of the 14th century B.C., and the Edwin Smith Papyrus (c. 1700 B.C.), both mention the enema.The Essene Gospel of Peace from the third century states, "The uncleanness within is greater than the uncleanness without. And he who cleanses himself without, but within remains unclean, is like a tomb that outward is painted fair, but is within full of all manner of horrible uncleanesses and abominations. Seek, therefore, a large trailing gourd, having a stalk the length of a man; and take out its inwards and fill it with water from the river which the sun has warmed. Hang it upon the branch of a tree, and suffer the end of the stalk of the trailing gourd to enter your hinder parts, that the water may flow through all your bowels." The 17th century became known as the "age of the enema", or the "age of Clysters". It was an acceptable practice in Parisian society to do an internal washing and was believed essential to well-being.

By the late 19th century and early 20th century, with the invention of rubber, the enema or clyster slowly gave way to colon hydrotherapy equipment which improved the cleansing of the colon. Dr. Kellogg reported in the 1917 Journal of American Medicine that in the treatment of gastrointestinal disease in over 40,000 cases, he had used surgery in only twenty cases. The rest were helped as a result of cleansing the bowels, diet and exercise.Colon hydrotherapy eventually gained the attention of James A Wiltsie, M.D., who contended that "our knowledge of the normal and abnormal physiology of the colon, and of its pathology and management, has not kept pace with that of many organs and systems of the body". He went on to say, "As long as we continue to assume that the colon will take care of itself, just that long will we remain in complete ignorance of perhaps the most important source of ill health in the whole body"."Historical View" information is from the International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy (I-ACT). Visit www.i-act.org for more information regarding I-ACT and to find an I-ACT Certified Colon Hydrotherapist in your area.