| Constipation - natural treatments
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• What causes constipation?
• How do I treat constipation naturally?
• Constipation: Natural treatments and remedies
• Diet for constipation
• Herbs for constipation
• Other useful tips |
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What causes constipation?
- Eat lots of fiber fibre as found in plant foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables
- Drink plenty of fluids each day (at least 8 glasses of water per day).
- Regular exercise is also very important in establishing regular bowel movements.
- Go to the bathroom when you have the urge. Don't wait.
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| Constipation - natural treatment and remedies
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| Diet for constipation
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| CTake time to eat, breathe slowly, and chew food thoroughly.
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| Eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid overeating at one sitting.
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Ensure adequate amounts of digestive factors. Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is common, especially in older people since as we age, we make less stomach acid. Low digestive secretions contributes to constipation. Drink fresh lemon juice in water (often warm temperature is best), just before meals to stimulate digestion. Digestive enzyme support can also be obtained from fresh pineapple or papaya, which contain the enzyme bromelain, and other fresh vegetables and herbs. Processed foods, like canned pineapple, contain little enzyme activity since digestive enzymes are proteins, which are destroyed by heating, such as in the sterilisation process. So beginning a meal with fresh fruits or salad can provide support for healthy digestion.
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| Make sure your water intake is adequate (8 glasses a day). Most people respond better to water that is not very cold / iced as cold foods/ drinks can 'freeze' up the digestion.
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| Try eating stewed or soaked prunes each day which help soften the stool and move it through the system quicker.
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| Eat plenty of foods that are high in pectins, such as apples, carrots, beets, bananas, cabbage, citrus dried peas and okra.
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| Have some acidophilus yogurt or take a probiotic supplement for improved bowel flora. Good healthy bowel bacteria help assimilate nutrients from food and move things along.
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| Make sure you get enough fiber in their diet. Vegetables, fresh fruits (especially dried fruits) and whole wheat, bran, brown rice, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the benefits of fiber, you must drink plenty of fluids (especially water) to help pass the stool. Psyllium is an example of a soluble fiber used standardly as a laxative in Asia, Europe, and North America.
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| Watch out for food allergens. As part of the immune system’s defensive action against food allergens, inflammation can occur along the intestinal tract lining, interrupting the absorption process and causing damage to the lining. Most common food allergens include milk proteins, wheat, soy, some shellfish, and peanuts. Food allergies or intolerance can lead to chronic constipation although though it is more common that they will lead to diarrhoea.
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| Eat lecithin granules, cauliflower, lettuce, (and soybeans and eggs if they digest well), which are all high in choline. Choline provides nutritional support for a healthy mucous layer for the intestines.
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| Aloe Vera juice, derived from the outer layer of the aloe leaf contains substances that, when taken by mouth, have very good laxative effects. It is also healing to the digestive track and assists in softening stools. drink 1/2 cup of aloe juice in the morning and at night.
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| Ginger stimulates the digestive tract and eases passage of stools through the intestines. Try grated ginger in hot water and drink as a tea.
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| Alpine tea is also a highly effective tea to assist passage of stools. Drink one cup in the morning.
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| Flax seed oil poured on your vegetables and salad will provide a good environment for softly formed stools. Flaxseed granules soaked overnight and added to your breakfast will assist in the easier passage of stools.
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| Green drinks such as barley grass and wheat grass contain chlorophyll which will assist
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| Try eating linseed breakfast cereal each morning
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Herbs for constipation
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Herbs have bee used successfully for such a long time, for the regulation of proper bowel movements. Some herbs work more strongly than others by initiating the peristaltic action that causes the stool to move through the intestines;others work more gently by stimulating bile and digestive juices. The stronger herbs traditionally used are cascara segrada, senna leaves, turkey rhubarb and yerbe mate. other herbs that work more gently are dandelion,
st mary's thistle, barberry and burdock which work more on the liver. Wild Yam and chamomile are effective in some cases as smooth muscle relaxers and licorice is a mild remedy for constipation.
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| Other useful hints
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| Get some exercise. Physical activity speeds the movement of waste through the intestines. A twenty minute walk can relieve constipation and regular exercise is important for preventing constipation in the first place.
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| Go to the toilet at the same time each day, even if the urge does not exist, and relax. Stress tightens the muscles and can cause constipation. Many people find reading is a helpful way to relax. Never repress the urge to go!
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