Home Remedies For Constipation: Procedure, Recovery, Risk & Complication

Constipation is an acute condition faced by a person when he/she has difficulty in passing stool. Due to less Bowel movement than normal, the stool becomes dry and hard thereby worsening the condition.

Constipation may occur if a person resists his urge to pass stool when needed and also because of a sudden change in lifestyle and food habits. Constipation can be treated at home by using the following home remedies:

1. Drink plenty of water:

   Drinking water helps your body to pass stool easily. Description: Drink at least 2 to 4 extra glasses of water every day. Also, try to drink lukewarm water in the morning or after your breakfast.

2. Eat more fibrous food:

   Description: Add green vegetables and fresh fruits, seeds, nuts and whole grains in your diet. These are the most reliable sources of healthy fibers required to ease the pain and difficulty of constipation. Fibrous foods play an important role in improving your digestive system, heart, liver, skin, and other organs of your body. Add prunes, resins, cereals, and sesame seeds as a seasoning on your food.

3. Blackstrap Molasses:

   Description:Blackstrap Molasses is a thick, brown sugary syrup obtained during the refining process of sugar. If it is boiled and condensed into a darker syrup and is taken one tablespoon at night before going to bed, it will reduce the problems related to constipation. This is rich in vitamins, minerals, and magnesium.

4. Mint or Ginger tea and Lemon water:

   Description:Peppermint is full of methanol having antispasmodic effect i.e. it prevents sudden contraction of muscles. This also helps in relaxing the muscles of your digestive tract. Ginger produces additional heat within your body that in turn enhances sluggish digestion. Lemon water being citric stimulates your digestive system and flushes out toxins from your body.

5. Exercise:

   Start walking daily at least for 15 minutes. Practice a few freehand exercises and yoga for better digestion.

6. Aloe Vera:

   As per the studies conducted by researchers it has been found that aloe vera inhibits the growth of yeast. It also helps in reducing gas problems.

7. Gulkand:

   Gulkand is a jam prepared from rose petals. Gulkand possesses a laxative property that helps to retain water in the feces which helps to reduce the constipation problem.

8. Fennel powder:

   Fennel seeds can be an instant remedy for gas problems. You can directly take some fennel seeds and chew them to get relief from your gastric pain. Another option is to put some fennel seeds in boiled water and drink it after a few minutes.

9. Triphala tea:

   Triphala helps to cleanse the digestive system, it prevents the gas formation and bloating in the stomach. Triphala improves the functioning of the digestive system. You can take Triphala by adding half a teaspoon of it to boiled water.

10. Drink coffee:

    As per the studies conducted by the researchers, it has been observed that drinking coffee enhances the bowel movement in the stomach which facilitates easy digestion of food.

11. Eat fruits like papaya, pear, apple, pineapple:

    Fruits like papaya, pear, apple, pineapple contain a lot of fibre which promotes easy defections and prevents constipation.

Summary: Constipation can be prevented by taking coffee, Triphala tea, fennel powder, gulkand, Aloe vera, fennel powder, ginger tea, molasses, fibrous food. Drink plenty of water.

There are no significant side effects but keep these things in mind before adopting any of these natural home remedies for constipation:

1. If a person is suffering from ailments of kidney or liver water consumption should be checked to avoid further complications due to excess water accumulation in the body.
2. Blackstrap Molasses is obtained from sugar, so diabetic patients should avoid having it.
3. If a person is sensitive towards ginger, he may suffer from mild side effects like heartburn, stomach discomfort, bloating, nausea or diarrhoea.
4. Lemon being citric if taken in excess can cause acidity, heartburn, GERD, ulcer or upset stomach.

Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home remedy only if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health.

• Don't try to ignore nature's call.
• Always try to have vegetables and fruits rich in fibre. The Daily recommended fibre amount is 20-35 mg.
• If you’re prone to constipation, reduce consumption of less fibrous food like meat and fish.
• Continue drinking sufficient water every day.
• Try to fix a particular time in the day preferably in the morning to go to the toilet and give yourself sufficient time for that.
• Yoga and exercises should be practised carefully to avoid getting hurt.

How long does it take to recover?

Taking home remedies for constipation is a continuous process but one may get relief from constipation within a month. But for some people, it may take about 6 months or more to get desired results.

Taking home remedies for constipation is a continuous process but one may get relief from constipation within a month. But for some people, it may take about 6 months or more to get desired results.

Results obtained from the remedies are not permanent. Constipation may relapse any time if the required food habits and lifestyle are not maintained properly. One should continue to follow the remedial guidelines to get long-lasting effects and advantages.

It is not required to have any training or expertise to adopt the home remedies for constipation. But you should particularly keep in mind your allergies, sensitivities, and other diseases like diabetes, liver or kidney problems, etc.

before starting with the listed remedies.

Avoid following particular remedies that can further aggravate your other health-related issues.

Take guidance from fitness instructors before you start free hand exercises and yoga to get rid of constipation.