Constipation is the inability to have a bowel movement every day. This creates symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, backache, and possible headache. Causes come from a lack of water (dehydration), lack of proper diet and fiber, lack of exercise (movement of the body), emotional processes and fears, and many types of medications such as pain killers, some antihistamines, antacids, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, iron, and some diuretics, etc. Many people resort to using laxatives for their constipation symptoms, which can have lasting side effects.
Modern medicine should be evaluating prescription drugs to remove components which cause constipation instead of prescribing laxatives for drug-induced constipation. Doctors also do colonoscopies to look for blockages in the intestines, or sometimes use exploratory surgery.
What You Can Do Naturally for Constipation
Identify the causes (they may be many) which interrupt the natural flow of your bowel movements:
First, evaluate any medications (for constipation as a side effect or from those that may be drying to your body), then look at medications such as antacids, acid blockers which interfere with digestion and elimination. Next, antibiotics interfere with normal elimination by destroying friendly bacteria. Also look for other drugs such as pain relievers, even as simple as aspirin or heavier such as opiates. When a person can eliminate these medications, then we can look at diet and lifestyle.
Next, eat good food and drink water. First eliminate tobacco, alcohol, coffee, black tea, sodas which are high in chemicals, and fast foods which are high calorie and low nutrition with no fiber. Add whole fruits and vegetables which are high in fiber, and other fibers. Increase your water intake between meals.
Increase your fiber. Psyllium husk is great but must be drunk quickly as it gels up. Start with a teaspoon in eight ounces of water once a day and increase as desired.
Flax fiber (ground doesn’t gel up and has a pleasant nutty flavor. You can also put a prune or two into 8 ounces of water over night and eat the prune and drink the juice in the morning. Figs can do the same thing and are great for children.
Note on fibers: insoluble fibers such as psyllium, flax will increase bowel movement; soluble fibers (dissolve in water) can cause gas and slow down bowel movements.
Exercise: Breathing and moving your body helps to massage your intestines while oxygenating your tissues.
Use natural supplements to get your digestive tract working better. Use liquid acidophilus to improve the friendly bacteria. Take magnesium as it helps to move the bowels by hydrating the colon to keep things moving.
Herbs for Constipation
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Look for the herbal combination that fits your condition best, along with changing your diet and lifestyle, and try it for a month or so. If the constipation isn’t better, try another herbal formula.
Constipation and grumpiness (irritability) formula:
Dandelion root (2 caps two times daily)
Yellow dock (2 caps two times daily)Constipation mild to moderate formula:
Use one capsule of the following before bed each night and increase as needed: Butternut, Rhubarb, and Fennel.
Constipation and cramping formula:
Use one capsule of the following before bed each night and increase as needed: Aloe leaf (not gel), Peppermint leaf, and Fennel seed.
Stubborn constipation formula:
Senna leaf – stimulant
Wild yam root – muscle relaxant
Fennel seed – digestion and gas
Slippery elm – colon soother
Ginger root – digestion
Cell Salts to Help with Constipation
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#6 Kali phos 6X – nervous conditions
#9 Nat mur 6X – from dryness, grief, shyness in the bathroom
#12 Silicea 6X – ineffective evacuation, cold thin condition
Constipation Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Alumina – severe dryness; lots of work, very little results; soft stools that go in and out; works better squatting; great for traveling and constipation in the elderly.
Aloe Socotrina – constipation alternates with sudden diarrhea; can’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Aesculus hip – rectum feels full of sticks; hip problems; hemorrhoids or varicose veins.
Bryonia – headaches with constipation; severe dryness; sharp pains from any movement.
Calcarea carb – constipation in children and the obese; feels better when constipated; very large stools; tendency to weak ankles; over-worker personality.
Collinsonia – severe constipation with hemorrhoids; large bulk stools; feels like sticks up anus with itching and burning.
Causticum – inactivity of colon; evacuation works better standing; constipation in those with M.S.; burning and pressing pains.
Natrum mur – constipation from dryness; emotional isolation; shyness in the bathroom; craves salt.
Nux vomica – irritability; food doesn’t seem to digest; large stools; addicted to laxatives; liver abuse from alcohol or stimulants.
Sepia – constipation in pregnancy, or hormonal imbalanced from chemical birth control devices; woman feels exhausted with low sex drive; bearing down pain in rectal area and hemorrhoids; desires to be alone.
Source: Dave’s Healing Notes
