Constipation Remedies

Having infrequent bowel movement, hard stool or difficulty expelling stool is referred to as constipation. Proper bowel elimination and a healthy digestive system are the basis of a healthy body. That is why it is very important to maintain a proper bowel movement and to avoid constipation problems.

Constipation is a disease of the digestive system and it is important to have a fair understanding of the function of the large intestine before proceeding to discuss constipation remedies and preventative measures.

Stool passes through the large intestine before it gets dispelled through the rectum. The colon absorbs water in the process of forming the stool. Stool is the waste product of the digestive system and contains a considerable amount of toxins. The longer the period the stool stays in the large intestine, the more we are exposing ourselves to series of diseases. The stool gets fermented and toxins start to get absorbed by the large intestine finding their way to weak areas and organs in our body leading to various diseases. Many diseases such as arthritis need to address bowel movement problems as a basis for any effective treatment.

Thick coating at the back of the tongue, lots of gases and abdominal pain indicate a long term bowel movement problems.

Causes

Constipation is caused by eating processed food, junk food, high fat foods, not heading the urge to go, lack of physical activity, not drinking enough water, overuse of laxatives, insomnia, stress, anxiety and excess stimulation of the nervous system.

Prevention

Constipation cannot be always treated with colonics and purgatives. Though these constipation remedies are efficient and necessary in the initial stage, they are not recommended for long term constipation problems, because they weaken the tone of the colon and create dependency along with other various problems such as insomnia, weight loss, sensitivity and anxiety.

It is important to try to figure out the cause of constipation, so you can focus more on preventing it from occurring again.
Make sure to drink enough water and include sufficient amount of fluids in your diet. Increase the amount of fiber in your diet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise regularly.

Home constipation remedies:

• Whole grains such as oatmeal and bran
• Fruits such as figs, grapes, oranges, pears, mango, banana, plums, prunes, guava and papaya
• Dry fruits such as raisins, dates, apricots and figs
• Adequate intake of oils such as olive oil, sesame oil and linseed oil to help lubricate the colon

Herbal constipation remedies:

• Triphala, a combination of three dried tropical fruits, is a very effective and safe treatment because it cleanses and rejuvenates the colon at the same time. It is also good for the nervous system. It is one of the best constipation remedies for long term usage.
• Aloe gel is also effective as it cleanses and lubricates the colon. It’s also one of the best tonics for the female reproductive system.
• Psyllium husk is a lubricating bulk laxative for chronic constipation.
• Flaxseed is another bulk laxative and is good for chronic bowel movement problems.
• Licorice works as a mild laxative.
• Senna is a strong purgative that should be used with care and not on regular basis. To counter its gripping effect on the colon, add cumin, fennel or ginger.
• Rhubarb is a mild purgative and can be used more often than senna but still with due care.

Enemas are natural constipation remedies for acute and chronic constipation. Warm water cleansing enemas can be used including herbs life fennel and Triphala. You can also add sesame oil to the preparation so it has a soothing and lubricating effect on the colon. Enemas can give instant relief from constipation, but if used in excess they can lead to insomnia, nervousness, dryness and other complications

Mucus in bowel movement

This is an indication of a congested colon. There will be a feeling of lethargy, heaviness and tiredness in the body. In the morning when waking up, the tongue will show white and thick coating. Mucus in bowel movement can be due to over consumption of heavy food and/or sedentary life style. The mode of treatment is to avoid mucus forming food such as cheese, sweets, sugar, yogurt and similar items. Physical exercise and short periods of fasting is recommended. Rhubarb and senna are two very good herbs to dispel mucus from the large intestine. Avoid taking bulk laxatives as they will only aggravate the situation. Cleansing enemas including herbs like ginger are very helpful to treat mucus in bowel movement.