Natural home remedies for constipation

Constipation can be most uncomfortable, but if your first instinct is to reach for the laxatives, chances are you’re probably better off heading to your kitchen. These amazing home remedies will help regulate your bowels as well as free you from the dependent and unhealthy cycle of laxatives.

FIBRE:

Fibre acts like a pipe cleaner, scrubbing food and waste particles from your digestive tract and soaking up water. It adds bulk to your stool, giving the muscles of your GI tract something to grab on to, so they can keep food moving along. Start off the day with a high-fibre bran cereal. If you’re new to the whole fibre thing, start off with a smaller serving to prevent gas, bloating and cramping.

Foods high in soluble fibre include beans, lentils, figs, oatmeal, and it’s a great idea to add sesame seeds and flaxseeds to your morning cereal or smoothie or salads.

PSYLLIUM:
Mix one to two teaspoons of psyllium seeds into a cup of hot water. Let it sit for two hours, add lemon and honey, then drink.

WATER: As you increase your intake of fibre be sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Loosen up with a hot cup

TEA: Herbal or decaffeinated tea will also help to get things moving.

Dandelion tea has a mildly laxative effect. Steep a teabag or one teaspoon of the dried root in one cup of boiling water. Drink one cup three times per day. Ginger tea is warming and helps speed up sluggish metabolism. Peppermint tea, contains menthol, which relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract. You can opt for the organic tea’s or boil fresh ginger and mint in hot water and drink it.

CASTOR OIL: I know it’s not the most tastebud friendly, but Castor oil has a compound that when digested stimulates the small and large intestines. Swallow one to two teaspoons quickly on an empty stomach and give it eight hours to work its magic. Tastes nasty but it works!

WRINKLED FRUITS: Prunes and raisins are some of the oldest home remedies for constipation.

HEALTHY FATS: Avocados, Olive Oil and Nuts lubricate your intestines and help ease constipation.

A MORNING OR EVENING WALK: Regular exercise certainly helps digest the food and speeds up your metabolism, and there’s a reason the evening walk used to be called the daily constitutional.

ACUPRESSURE:

You can stimulate your digestive system through acupressure. Using your thumb, apply pressure at the spot four finger-widths above your wrist on the back of the forearm. Do this two minutes per day. Look at for our article on acupressure as well.

Never force a bowel movement as you can give yourself hemorrhoids or anal fissures.

Never ignore nature’s call. If you do, you’re asking for a case of constipation.