Although it may be a topic that not many feel comfortable talking about, constipation happens to everyone. We spend a little less than $1 billion dollars a year on laxatives that will ultimately only contribute to the problem and wreak havoc on the body. Know that you do not have to have a bowel movement every single day to be regular – that is a myth that contributes to the dependency on laxatives. We’re all different, and there are too many factors to decide how often every single person should be going. That being said, if you’re experiencing constipation and are looking for a natural alternative for relief, check-out these home remedies. Just know your body and use common sense!
You will need…
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
Directions
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In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else.
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If you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while. You can mix it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation).
The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon. Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.
You will need…
1 fresh lemon
1 cup of warm water
Directions:
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Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.
3.) Molasses makes the world go ‘round
Blackstrap molasses has been a sweet saviour for more than a few sufferers of constipation, be it chronic or occasional.
The reason blackstrap molasses works so well is because of how it is made. Regular molasses is essentially pure cane sugar juice boiled to concentrate and crystallize the sugar. The third boiling results in blackstrap molasses, which is crystallized but contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, specifically magnesium, which is what helps the constipation. It’s natural, tasty, and while you thank goodness someone decided to repeatedly boil a bunch of sugar, your body will thank you for the natural remedy.
You will need…
1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses
Warm water or tea (optional)
Directions
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Consume one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses.
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Start slow and small here-if you don’t like the flavor of molasses, you can add it to a cup of warm water or tea to dilute the taste. If you find that a teaspoon has not been effective, you can go as high as 1-2 tablespoons, but try less at first.
4.) Coffee is our friend (sometimes)
A lot of people love their morning coffee, but it does more than just give off heavenly aromas and help you perk up.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant for the digestive system, so indulging in a cup of joe will help get you up and running in more ways than one. 1-2 cups is fine, but make sure you don’t overdo it – too much can actually have the opposite effect. Coffee is a diuretic and makes you urinate more frequently, and if you drink it an excess, it can cause constipation by dehydrating your body and drawing out water that would normally soften your stool.
5.) Get moving
If you want stuff to move through your body, you need to move too!
Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well. Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour after big meals before exercising. There are also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting good old number 2 out the door.
You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as easily.
To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage. In short, fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass. Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include:
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Beans
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Apricots
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Berries
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Broccoli
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Plums, pears, and apples
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Nuts
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Potatoes (skip the fries though)
7.) Get some FLAXitive
Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for constipation. It sort of coats the walls of the intestine, as well as stool, and increases the number of bowel movements you are having.
Enjoying your oil with orange juice is a double whammy when it comes to constipation, since oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)
You will need…
1 glass of orange juice with pulp (8 oz.)
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
Directions
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Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of orange juice.
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Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hours) to start working so you don’t overdo it.
8.) Aloe – it’s benefits aren’t just skin deep
Aloe is known to soothe minor cuts and burns, but it can also soothe your tummy.
It’s best to use pure aloe vera gel from the plant. The gel straight from the plant is more concentrated than commercial aloe juice so don’t use more than 2 tablespoons. If you don’t have an aloe plant, than drinking aloe juice can accomplish similar results.
You will need…
2 tablespoons of pure aloe gel or 1 cup of aloe vera juice
Directions:
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Mix two tablespoons of pure gel with fruit juice and drink in the morning, OR drink one cup of aloe vera juice as needed.
9.) Dandy Dandelions
Dandelions are a terribly annoying weed, but you might view them differently after they help relieve your constipation.
The constituents of dandelions make it a gentle laxative as well as an effective detoxifier, and a cup of dandelion tea will be enormously beneficial to those who are suffering from constipation due to inactiveness or the consumption of a lot of processed foods (although drinking it does not mean you don’t need to exercise or eat healthy!)
You will need…
1 or 2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves
1 cup of hot water
Directions
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Put 1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves into a mug, and pour hot water over them. Cover and let steep for 6-10 minutes.
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Drink up to 3 times a day.