Constipation is nothing more than infrequent bowel movements, typically three times or less in an entire week. However, before we go further, it’s useful to note that the number of bowel movements gradually decrease with age. The ideal situation for anyone is to have at least one bowel movement every day. The thing with constipation is that it is a common digestive disorder that can affect anyone of any age or level of physical fitness. Constipation mainly causes difficulty in passing feces and can even result in muscle pulls, while trying to empty the bowels of hardened feces. But, before you run to your doctor or the local drugstore for a quick-fix, which usually involves laxatives than can make a bad problem worse, try out some of these effective homemade remedies to get rid of constipation that can give you immediate constipation relief.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptoms of constipation are:
- Bloating,
- Abnormally small or large stools,
- Acidity,
- Loss of appetite,
- Headaches, and even
- Depression
Causes
Some of the main causes of constipation include:
- Insufficient water intake,
- Poor diet,
- Irregular toilet habits,
- Medications,
- Lack of physical activity and
- Over use of laxative
- Pregnancy
Try these effective home remedies for constipation better result
1. Lemon
Lemons are not just a great source of useful vitamins, but the concentrate of lemon juice has the ability to cure constipation because it stimulates the bowel movements and your digestive system. The use of lemons to treat constipation is also one of the most effective treatments that you can do on your own, with minimal effort.
2. Figs
High in fiber, figs can act as nature’s laxatives and are great for anyone suffering from chronic or prolonged constipation. You can either consume dried, frozen or fresh figs in order to treat constipation. And whenever you have access to fresh figs, consume with the skin on as it contain a majority of the fiber and calcium.
3. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are a great way to treat constipation and other related issues including bloating, indigestion, and even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is mostly because they promote smooth muscle movement within the digestive tract.
4. Flax Seed
Any potent home remedy for constipation is consuming flax seed as they are loaded with a ton of healthy fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, apart from having a number of health benefits. Flaxseed’s natural laxative properties allow it to be used to treat even the most serious of constipation cases.
5. Honey
Honey, apart from being nature’s sweetener, is also highly beneficial when it comes to constipation relief. The best part is that you can consume it plain, or with any of your favorite foods.
6. Castor Oil
Castor oil is a stimulant laxative and can line the small and large intestines, thereby improving bowel movement. Swallowing a teaspoon or two of castor oil on an empty stomach can drastically improve defecation.
7. Spinach
Spinach is a soul food for the human digestive tract, and acts as a godsend when you’re suffering from constipation. The best part about spinach is that you can consume it raw, or thoroughly cooked in the form of a puree or yummy dish.
8. Molasses
The miracle food, that is molasses, is considered to be one of nature’s best laxatives. You can consume it to improve bowel movement. However, considering that molasses contains high amounts of calories, it’s best not to consume it on a daily basis.
9. Olive Oil
Another great way to get cure constipation is to consume a teaspoon or two of this healthy and tasty fatty oil. Not only does it help get rid of constipation, but is the proverbial poster child for curing constipation naturally. Consuming olive oil daily won’t just clear up your constipation, but will prevent it from happening altogether.
10. Coffee
Most people can’t start their day without their morning cup of Joe. But, what if you were told that coffee can kick start more than just your day. Apart from smelling like heaven and getting you on your toes, the caffeine in coffee acts as natural stimulant for the digestive system. The thing about coffee is that moderation is the key, and should never be overdone. And being a diuretic, coffee will also make you urinate more frequently. This means that if you drink too much, you’ll end up dehydrating and suffering from more constipation than you initially did.
11. Aloe Vera
Aloe is popular for soothing minor cuts and burns and healing damaged skin. But did you also know that natural aloe Vera gel to cure constipation. Just be warned that aloe vera directly from the plant is way more potent that the commercially available gels, so consume in moderation. For those of you who don’t have access to a live plant, you could always drink aloe juice.
12. Baking soda
Baking soda is another home remedy staple that is effective in curing a number of ailments. It even works to alleviate constipation, about 95% of the time. It works great for stomach aches as well as constipation. Being a bicarbonate, baking soda will force the air out of you, one way or the other. Baking soda can also re-alkalize the stomach’s PI, and acts as an effective acidity neutralizer.
13. Epsom salt
Epsom salt is a wonderful gift of nature and can effectively be used as a home remedy for constipation. Using Epsom salt to treat constipation is a double edged sword as it draws water from its environment and softens up the stool, and it also contains magnesium, which promotes contraction of the bowel muscles. Both these effects allow you to pass the stool easily. Table salt is just Epsom salt, without the added magnesium.
14. Prunes
You probably already know about the various health benefits of prunes and prune juice. But, prunes also work as a natural laxative due to the high amounts of fiber that they contain. Prunes also contain an element known as sorbitol, which acts as an effective stool softener because of all the natural carbohydrate that they possess. Prunes absorb the water in the intestines as stool passes through it, which adds some much needed bulk to the stool. Just be warned that excess of sorbitol can make your stool too soft, and could have the opposite effect of what you were trying to achieve.
15. Grains
Grains like cereals and breads and contain a whole lot of fiber that allows you to pass stool more easily. Just be sure to consumer whole grains like whole-wheat bread and whole-grain cereal, because wheat grains such as flour can cause constipation.
16. Beans
Beans and legumes of all kinds, including red beans, black beans, pinto beans, lima beans, and garbanzo beans, are all excellent sources of fiber and are great for constipation. Most people only avoid consuming excess of beans because of the risk of increased gassiness.
17. Sesame
Sesame seeds, when roasted and ground into a powder, prove to be a tasty and effective method to cure improper bowel movement. Take a spoon every day with warm water, and you’ll see the results.
18. Soya bean oil
A couple of spoons of soybean oil, made more palatable by adding it on a salad or mixing some lemon juice in it, can work wonders to get rid of constipation.
19. Water
It’s amazing how people miss out on the simplest remedy of them all – water. 8 to 10 cups of water should get your intestines moistened to facilitate easier bowel movement.
20 Apple Juice
Consuming apple juice daily basis is an effective way to get rid of constipation.
Although constipation may be something that people rather not tell themselves and would rather suffer in silence than talk about it, there is no denying the fact that it can really affect your daily routine and can even cause massive discomfort. Fortunately, it is easy enough to cure constipation with natural home remedies, instead of running to a doctor who will only prescribe you drugs that will potentially cause further constipation. And as an added bonus, consuming the above natural remedies regularly will ultimately lead to a lifestyle change that will ward of constipation completely.