Gerson Therapy and Coffee Enemas: Natural Healing and Detoxification

A Comprehensive Guide to the Gerson Therapy and the Role of Coffee Enemas

The Gerson Therapy is one of the most remarkable alternative options for the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. And it uses one of our favorite hidden wellness tools for detoxification: coffee enemas.

While are readers and customers come from all walks of life, many of them are seeking support for their Gerson journey. We are proud to say that PureLife Enema Coffee has been approved by Gerson since 2015! 

But what is the Gerson Therapy? What does it entail? And who can benefit from it? Let’s dive in and learn everything about the Gerson Therapy and the role of coffee enemas in the Gerson Therapy.

What Is the Gerson Therapy?

The Gerson therapy, also known as the Gerson method, Gerson diet, Gerson regimen, or Gerson protocol, was developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the early 1900s. Though initially he used the protocol to treat his own migraine headaches, he found that it could be used for cancer, tuberculosis, and other diseases (1, 2, 3).

The Gerson therapy uses a strict organic, nutrient-dense, vegetarian diet, supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, and detoxification through coffee enemas to remove toxins from the body, strengthen the immune system, lower chronic inflammation, and restore normal metabolic state to improve the symptoms of cancer and other diseases (1, 2, 3, 4).

Though there is little scientific research on the Gerson therapy outside of Gerson’s own studies, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence from patients, followers, and health practitioners (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8). There were two documentaries made on the subject: “Dying to Have Known” and “The Beautiful Truth” (9, 10). We recommend both of them if you want to learn more about and get inspired by the Gerson Therapy.

History of the Gerson Therapy

The history of the Gerson Therapy is truly a remarkable story of a doctor and his daughter who both dedicated their lives to empowering people to take control of their health and improve their well-being naturally. 

The Gerson Therapy was developed by Dr. Max Gerson, a German physician in the 1920s and 1930s. Dr. Gerson was suffering from debilitating migraines and initially developed the program to improve his own pain. At this time, he was mainly focusing on nutrition, not detoxification (11).

Thanks to his own success, he started recommending his dietary strategies to his patients. When one of his patients found success with the “migraine diet” for his skin tuberculosis, Dr. Gerson started studying and refining his approach. 

When Dr. Ferdinand Sauerbruch, a thoracic surgeon, found out about this new protocol, Dr. Gerson was able to start a skin tuberculosis treatment program and research at the Munich University Hospital. A clinical trial of 450 individuals with skin tuberculosis found that 446 patients recovered using the Gerson diet (11).This discovery led to further research and published articles on the topic. 

Eventually, Dr. Gerson started using the same dietary approach to other diseases, including kidney failure, heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. He learned to understand the role of coffee enemas in the Gerson Therapy for detoxification and began recommending supplementation as well. In 1938, he became licensed in New York state and spent the rest of his life refining his protocol and treating patients with the Gerson Therapy (11).

Even though the medical community remained skeptical of the notion that nutrition could treat cancer and improve health, Dr. Gerson continued to do research and publish articles (5, 6, 7, 8, 11). In 1958, a year before his death, he published a book titled A Cancer Therapy: Results of 50 Cases to detail his theories, findings, treatment protocol, results, and recommendations (12).

After his death, his daughter, Charlotte Gerson, continued his work and legacy by recommending the Gerson Therapy and founding the Gerson Institute in 1977. She died in 2019, but the Gerson Institute continues to support patients across the world.

Why People with Cancer Use the Gerson Therapy?

Individuals with cancer and other chronic diseases may turn to the Gerson therapy for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:

• They are looking for a natural, drug-free option instead of conventional treatment strategies 
• They want to complement the conventional treatment approaches they are using
• They believe in their body’s ability to self-heal when properly supported with detoxification, nutrition, and lifestyle
• They want to boost their immune system, reduce inflammation, and strengthen their body naturally
• They are looking for deep detoxification and cellular rejuvenation
• They want to restore balance and cellular health instead of just symptom relief
• They want to feel more in control of their treatment, recovery, and health
• They are looking for a well-structured, strict detoxification and nutrition protocol to support their body
• They feel aligned with holistic, functional, and alternative medicine values

How to Do the Gerson Therapy

The Gerson Therapy has three equally important parts: diet, supplementation, and detoxification. Let’s see what this looks like.

Nutrition

The Gerson Therapy involves a very strict organic, plant-based, vegetarian diet. It involves drinking 13 glasses of vegetable juices a day, made of about 20 pounds (9 kgs) of vegetables and fruits. Additionally, vegetarian meals of organic, grown vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are recommended. No cooking oils or other fats are allowed, with the exception of flaxseed oil to provide vitamin A. Salt or spices are also prohibited on the diet (1, 2, 3).

Food Preparation

Besides your diet, how you prepare your food matters too. Aluminum cookware is not allowed; instead, cast-iron pots are recommended. The Gerson protocol also recommends very specific, high-quality juicers that crush your greens, vegetables, and fruits, rather than grinding them into pulp (1, 2, 3).

Supplementation

The Gerson Therapy recommends a very specific supplementation regimen to improve cellular metabolism and support the body’s life processes. Supplements in the Gerson Therapy include potassium, vitamins A, B3, and C, coenzyme Q10 injected with vitamin B12, pancreatic enzymes, pepsin, flaxseed oil, and Lugol’s solution for iodine (1, 2, 3).

Detoxification

Detoxification is a significant component of the Gerson Therapy. The main tool of detoxification is coffee enemas. The idea behind coffee enemas is that they may help to dilate the bile duct in the liver, which may allow the liver to break down toxins and remove them better (1, 2, 3).

Initially, patients are recommended to do four or more coffee enemas per day for deep detoxification. Some practitioners may also recommend castor oil, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, chamomile, or other herbal enemas for various benefits.

How to Get Started with the Gerson Therapy

If you are interested in embarking on a Gerson journey, your best option is working with the Gerson Institute and a Certified Gerson Practitioner. You can also find further guidance on their website and from Dr. Gerson’s book.

Can You Use Gerson Principles Without Following All Aspects?

The Gerson Institute recommends that people using Gerson Therapy for cancer and other serious diseases follow their program perfectly. While it is a strict program, if you are dealing with serious health issues, it may be worth your time and effort to dedicate yourself to this regimen.

However, anyone can benefit from using the principles behind the Gerson Therapy without being strict about it. Our bodies can benefit from eating lots of organic and predominantly plant-based foods (13). In fact, most holistic, naturopathic, and functional medicine doctors will recommend similar dietary principles without the strict regimen of the Gerson Therapy. While most of us probably don’t need to drink 13 green juices a day, we can likely benefit from a glass or two along with some organic, colorful, fiber-rich, plant-based meals.

In a world loaded with environmental toxins, most people can benefit from reducing toxins and using detoxification strategies (14, 15). The role of coffee enemas in the Gerson therapy is crucial: they are the number one tool of detoxification of this protocol. If you have a sluggish digestion, microbiome imbalances, low energy, chronic symptoms, brain fog, or mental health complaints, you may also benefit from cleansing through coffee enemas, even if you may not require as many as the Gerson Therapy outlines.

Generally speaking, the supplements used in Gerson Therapy are all beneficial for our bodies. However, we all have different needs. We highly recommend that you work with a functional or naturopathic medicine doctor, get tested for nutritional deficiencies and other imbalances, and get personalized supplement recommendations. This is the best way to ensure that you are receiving the nutrients and support your body needs without overdoing it.

The Role of Coffee Enemas in the Gerson Therapy

The Gerson Therapy understands that we are living in a toxin-filled world. This means that it’s not enough to add lots of nutrient-dense, life-affirming, organic foods into our bodies, but we need to reduce our toxic load and remove all the gunk from inside. This means: detoxification.

Coffee enemas are the main tools of detoxification because they are more effective than water enemas. Water enemas are used to inject fluid into your rectum to help flush out waste from the large intestine. While water enemas can relieve constipation and help you prepare for various medical procedures, coffee enemas, which use a combination of decaffeinated coffee and water, instead of just water, may offer a much deeper level of detoxification (15). 

Coffee enemas can dilate the bile duct and support the liver in breaking down and releasing toxins. Coffee enemas may allow deep filtration and effective toxin removal from your blood and tissues, reduce your liver’s toxin burden, decrease inflammation, improve energy, and support better long-term health outcomes (1, 2, 3). Again, these are positive benefits that most people may benefit from, especially those with low energy, digestive troubles, chronic symptoms, or chronic health issues.

How to Do a Coffee Enema at Home

If you are ready to embark on your journey with coffee enemas at home, follow these steps on how to use our coffee enema kits.

• Prepare Your Coffee Enema Blend: Add our Pure Life Enema Coffee Blend to the plunger. Fill it with boiling water. Let it sleep. Cool to body temperature, then strain it.
• Prepare Your Coffee Enema Bag: Put together your Dream Coffee Enema Kit for Gerson Therapy as directed. Clamp the flow hose and add your enema solution. Before performing your enema, release a small amount into the sink or tub to clear any air from the tube.
• Do Your Coffee Enema: Lubricate the tip and gently insert it into your bum. Lie on your back or right side in a comfortable position, then unclamp the hose to let the enema flow. Once the bag is empty, try to retain the solution for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Release the Content: When you can no longer hold the enema or reach the 15-minute mark, sit on the toilet and allow it to pass. Take your time and enjoy the sense of relief. Don’t worry if you can’t hold it for 12 to 15 minutes at first. It may take some practice, but you will get there.

You can also watch some videos on how to use our coffee enema kits at home here.

Getting Started with Coffee Enemas While Embarking on the Gerson Therapy

Getting started with coffee enemas can feel overwhelming. Relax, we’ve got your back! We have everything you need. You can purchase our Dream Coffee Enema Kit for Gerson Therapy and choose from various blends of PureLife Enema Coffee. 

PureLife Enema Coffee has been approved by Gerson since 2015 (you can’t say that about other brands!) Visit our shop to find everything you need for your coffee enemas at home.