The topic everyone wonders about but hardly anyone talks about: we explain honestly and without taboos why colon cleansing is part of alkaline fasting, how an irrigator enema works – and what you should know about Glauber’s salt & co.
Yes – with alkaline fasting according to the Wacker method, colon cleansing is an integral part. It is one of the “basics” of the cure, just like drinking plenty, exercise and rest. An irrigator enema is recommended every two to three days.
The reason is very practical: during alkaline fasting you suddenly eat only fruit, vegetables, herbs and sprouts – and much smaller amounts than usual. Your gut has to adjust and often works more sluggishly at first. Gentle colon cleansing helps it along. Experience shows that guests who skip it struggle much more often with bloating or headaches.
And don’t worry: an enema sounds worse than it is. After the first time most guests say: “That was really easy.”
Alkaline fasting is fasting while eating – yet a lot changes in your belly within just a few days.
Much more fibre, smaller portions, no bread, no cheese: digestion needs a few days to adapt.
If old contents stay in the gut too long, they meet fresh fruit and vegetables – and start to ferment. Colon cleansing helps prevent this.
Especially in the first days, guests without colon cleansing complain more often of headaches and a “foggy” feeling.
Many fasters report that their feeling of hunger eases noticeably after colon cleansing.
An empty belly simply feels lighter – and makes you want to move, enjoy the sauna and get some fresh air.
For healthy people colon cleansing is not medically necessary in everyday life – the bowel cleans itself. There are hardly any solid studies on the benefits of enemas during fasting. The recommendation in alkaline fasting is based on decades of experience from many thousands of cures: with colon cleansing, most guests simply feel better during the fasting week. That is what it’s about – not “toxins” or miracles.
Tap a method – we’ll show you how gentle it is, how much effort it takes and who it is suitable for.
An irrigator is a container with a tube and a soft nozzle. Lukewarm water flows gently into the rectum by gravity and rinses it – without any medication.
Glauber’s salt (sodium sulphate) is dissolved in water and drunk. It binds water in the gut and has a strong laxative effect – usually after one to three hours.
Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) works similarly to Glauber’s salt but is tolerated slightly better by some people.
A mini enema is a small disposable enema from the pharmacy with only a little liquid. It mainly empties the lowest section of the bowel.
A colon irrigation in a practice using a special device, where considerably more water is flushed through the large intestine in several rounds.
Take your time, make sure you won’t be disturbed and get comfortable. The morning or late morning is ideal – then you are free for the rest of the day.
Lay a large towel on the floor or bed, have a clock ready and make sure the toilet is nearby. Clean the irrigator thoroughly beforehand.
Fill the irrigator with lukewarm water – about body temperature, around 37 °C. About one litre is usually enough. Follow the instructions of your irrigator.
Let a little water run through the tube until there are no more air bubbles in it. Then close the clamp.
Coat the tip of the nozzle with a little oil or petroleum jelly – so it slides in gently and without pressure.
Lie on your left side with your legs slightly bent – this lets the water flow in best. Hang the irrigator a little above your body.
Insert the nozzle carefully, open the clamp and let the water flow in slowly. If it becomes uncomfortable, close the clamp briefly, breathe deeply and continue. Gently stroking your belly clockwise helps.
Once the water is in, remove the nozzle and hold the water for a few minutes if you can. Then go to the toilet calmly.
Treat yourself to a short break afterwards, for example with a cup of herbal tea or a liver wrap. Rinse the irrigator with warm water and let it dry.
In the introductory talk on your day of arrival, our alkaline fasting guest manager calmly explains how colon cleansing works – and you can ask everything that’s on your mind. Ideally bring your own irrigator; you can also buy the equipment from us.
Colon cleansing every two to three days is ideal. Your week could look like this:
Then an additional colon cleansing can help – together with drinking more and exercise in the fresh air. A common cause of headaches in the first days is caffeine withdrawal, by the way: read more in our article Is coffee allowed during alkaline fasting?
In everyday life you don’t need regular colon cleansing. What matters much more then is an alkaline-rich diet with plenty of fibre, thorough chewing and enough water. How to make the transition is explained in What comes after alkaline fasting?
Tap a card to turn it over.
The bowel constantly renews its lining itself – stuck-on “toxins” don’t exist in that sense. Alkaline fasting is about making the change in digestion more comfortable.
With lukewarm water, lubricant and a little patience an enema isn’t painful. A slight feeling of pressure is normal – just pause briefly.
No. Every two to three days is quite enough. Daily or even several times a day is unnecessary and can irritate the bowel.
Glauber’s salt acts on the whole bowel, draws fluid and minerals from the body and can strain your circulation. That’s why the irrigator is the first choice during alkaline fasting.
The alkaline diet works anyway. But for most people colon cleansing makes the week much more pleasant – with less bloating and fewer headaches.
An enema with lukewarm water mainly reaches the lower section of the bowel. With high-fibre, alkaline food your gut flora gets plenty of good nourishment during the cure week.
For healthy adults colon cleansing is usually unproblematic. In some cases, however, you should talk to your doctor first – or avoid it altogether.
This article does not replace medical advice. If you are unsure whether alkaline fasting or colon cleansing is right for you, talk to your doctor before your cure.
At Landhotel Altes Zollhaus we accompany you through your alkaline fasting week according to the Wacker method. In the introductory talk you learn how colon cleansing works. You then do it in peace in your room – without time pressure and without an audience.
Your week includes alkaline full board, alkaline baths, liver wraps or massages, sauna and relaxation room and hiking trails right on the doorstep. And if you have questions during the week, our guest manager is always happy to listen – even to the “embarrassing” ones.
All prices per person in a double room.
01.11. - 08.11.2026Feel like new in 7 days. Treat yourself to a week full of mindful eating, yoga, exercise and relaxation – and find new energy for your everyday life.
From 08.11. - 13.11.2026A soothing time out to unwind and gather new energy
From 03.01. - 08.01.2027Wacker method: a short escape from the chaos, into lightness
From 24.01. - 29.01.2027Enjoy mindfully, unwind and gather new energy for everyday life
From 28.02. - 05.03.2027Alkaline fasting according to Wacker: less drama, more vegetables
From 25.04. - 30.04.2027Experience healthy food, beneficial exercise and deep relaxation during a restful time out in nature.
From 02.05. - 07.05.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – unburden yourself with pleasure, recharge your batteries and bring body and mind into balance with yoga, relaxation and mindful eating.
From 20.06. - 25.06.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – a soothing time out with alkaline food, mindful exercise and relaxation for more lightness, energy and well-being.
From 11.07. - 16.07.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – enjoy mindfully, unwind and draw new strength. Discover a time out full of exercise, relaxation and well-being.
From 18.07. - 23.07.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – treat yourself to a mindful time out with alkaline food, soothing yoga and relaxation for new energy and inner balance.
From 08.08. - 13.08.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – discover a special time out with delicious alkaline food, daily yoga, relaxation and new energy for body and mind.
From 19.09. - 24.09.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – enjoy mindful eating, beneficial exercise and restful moments. A time out that gives you new strength and lightness.
24.10. - 29.10.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – enjoy mindful eating, beneficial exercise and restful moments. A time out that gives you new strength and lightness.
31.10. - 05.11.2027Wacker method: a short escape from the chaos, into lightness
21.11. - 26.11.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – enjoy mindful eating, beneficial exercise and restful moments. A time out that gives you new strength and lightness.
28.11. - 03.12.2027Wacker method: your stomach says thank you, your mind finally finds peace
05.12. - 10.12.2027Alkaline fasting and yoga – enjoy mindful eating, beneficial exercise and restful moments. A time out that gives you new strength and lightness.
Any questions? Call us on +49 35057 540 or write to us via the contact form.
With alkaline fasting according to the Wacker method it is clearly recommended, because most guests feel noticeably better with it. Nobody forces you, though – if in doubt, talk to your guest manager or your doctor.
Ideally every two to three days – so about three times in a 7-day cure, the first one right at the start.
An enema with an irrigator is recommended. It works quickly and gently and doesn't interfere with your mineral balance. Glauber's salt or Epsom salt are better suited to experienced fasters who have already had good experiences with them.
About one litre of lukewarm water at body temperature is usually enough. Follow the instructions of your irrigator and let the water flow in slowly.
The alkaline diet still works. Experience shows, however, that bloating, a feeling of fullness or headaches occur more often without colon cleansing.
It can be an alternative for experienced fasters. Glauber's salt is a strong laxative, draws fluid and minerals from the body and can weaken the effect of medication – including the pill. If in doubt, check with your doctor first.
For example during pregnancy, with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, acute abdominal pain or shortly after abdominal surgery. With heart, kidney or circulatory conditions and if you take medication regularly, talk to your doctor first.
No. In everyday life your bowel cleans itself. What matters then is an alkaline-rich, high-fibre diet, thorough chewing and enough water.
In the introductory talk on your day of arrival our alkaline fasting guest manager explains everything calmly. You then do the colon cleansing in complete privacy in your room. Ideally bring your own irrigator – you can also buy the equipment from us.
An irrigator enema every two to three days makes the alkaline fasting week noticeably easier for most people – with less bloating and fewer headaches. Go gently, drink plenty and listen to your body. It is most relaxed with someone by your side.
Alkaline cuisine, a personal guest manager, alkaline baths and liver wraps, sauna and nature right on the doorstep.
