You perhaps never talk about it, but you may be looking for simple remedies to get relief. Are you feeling discomfort in passing stools? You feel the urge but return from toilet without any elimination. You are suffering from constipation.
Constipation is a simple disorder of the digestive system The bowels do not move frequently, or are not entirely emptied when they move. It is a symptom of an underlying condition, and not a disease itself.
Besides being a discomfort, the state of chronic constipation is main source of a lot of other diseases. It produces toxins which find their way into the bloodstream affecting all parts of the body. You can relieve constipation naturally. Many of these remedies are in your kitchen. Just try them out and get relief from the debilitating discomfort of passing stool (feces) during constipation.
Following 7 simple home remedies to relieve constipation will help you to stop it.
1. Castor Oil
Castor oil has been used for centuries in different parts of the world to relieve constipation. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Castor oil as a laxative under the category "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for over-the-counter.
- Take it empty stomach
- Mix a tablespoon of Castor oil in a glass of water and drink it before going to bed.
- Use any fresh fruit juice instead of water to add taste
- Don’t overdo it. Just one dose during the bedtime is enough this will relieve pain as well as help smooth bowel movement in the morning.
Castor oil is bowel movement stimulant (laxative) to help the stool to come out smoothly and stop constipation.
2. Prunes (Dried Plums)
Prunes are high in natural dietary fiber called sorbitol that can loosen the stool and a natural laxative compound called diphenyl isatin. In addition, its high potassium contents help digestive system. All these ingredients work very well together to provide relief from constipation.
- Eat about half a cup of dried plums (prunes) at a time. They are sticky tasty black wrinkled fruits. Don’t go overboard because of their high calorie contents.
- Alternatively soak dried plums in water if they are too dry. You can mix them with salad and eat.
- You can add dried plums in your daily diet as they offer many health benefits including lowering cholesterol.
Prune is high in oxalate, therefore if you have kidney or gallbladder problems then avoid eating Prune as part of your diet for constipation.
3. Fresh Lemon
Lemon contains citric acid which acts as a stimulant for digestive system. It flushes out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon.
Cut one lemon in two pieces. Squeeze the juice in a glass and fill up the glass with warm water. This will dilute the lemon juice. Add half a teaspoon of honey. Stir it well and sip it slowly.
4. Water
Not drinking enough water does a lot of harm to the body. Constipation is just one of them. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to prevent constipation.
If you already have constipation then drinking water should provide some instant relief but may not help immediate bowel movement. So, other remedies must be used along with drinking a lot of water to get the desired effect fast.
5. Barley
Dietary fiber in Barley provides bulk to the stool which helps easy bowel movement.
- Add barley to your daily diet.
- Prepare barley soup and drink to relieve constipation pain and facilitate easy stool passing.
- Soak barley grains overnight. Grind the barley along with the water in a mixer grinder. Add honey and drink the juice.
6. Raisins
Pregnancy and constipation are closely related. Pregnant ladies shouldn't take any medicine to relieve constipation. Raisins packed with dietary fiber come handy for pregnant women.
Soak a 50 mg of raisins in water overnight. Remove the water and eat the raisins on an empty stomach. They will not only act as a laxative but also provide you energy of morning breakfast.
7. Fiber Rich Diet
The longer term solution is to add a lot of fiber rich foods for constipation relief, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals, and avoid refined carbohydrates like white flour and sugar in your daily diet.
Over a period of time this habit will prevent constipation.
There are many other foods for constipation relief such as pears, guava, oranges, grapes, mangoes or 'dates with milk', but remember that a combination of exercise, drinking lots of fluids and eating high fiber foods are important for better bowel movements and avoiding constipation.