How To Relieve Constipation?

Constipation is defined as the condition in which a person finds difficulty in passing stools and has a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. These stools usually become dry and hard causing them difficult to eliminate. If treated on time constipation is not dangerous. But if left untreated it can become chronic. But how to treat or relieve constipation? This is the question asked by majority of the people suffering from constipation. Here is the answer for it. There are many ways for relieving constipation. Some of the useful ways are stated below.

Home remedies for relieving constipation

Diet is the most common home remedy for relieving constipation. Water is the best liquid for relieving constipation as it plays an important role in keeping the intestines working well. Drink a glass of water early in the morning or add a teaspoonful of honey in it and drink it at night before going to bed. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water everyday. Keeping the water overnight in a copper vessel and drinking it in the morning gives better results. Take a glass of water with lemon juice and pinch of salt in it. Take a glassful of warm milk with a teaspoonful of ghee in it when going to bed. This also helps in relieving constipation.

Include fresh fruits and green leafy in your daily diet. Papaya, apples and sugarcane are beneficial. Soak dry fruits like raisins, dates or figs overnight and eat them in the morning. Tomato and beetroot salads are also very beneficial. Avoid eating rice, lot of spices, fried and frozen food, beans, legumes, grams, cabbages, mushrooms and foods, which are difficult to digest. Lack of physical exercise may also cause constipation. So any type of regular exercise is a great home remedy for relieving constipation. Walking is one of the best exercises for the prevention or cure of constipation.

Essential Oils for relieving constipation

There are many essential oils for relieving constipation. Bergamot essential oil relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, relieving constipation. Essential oils like Fennel, Rose Bulgaria and Marjoram stimulates the production of gastric juices, aids digestion and relieves constipation. An abdominal massage with the grapefruit essential oil may prove helpful in relieving constipation. Coriander, peppermint or cardamom essential oils can also help in relieving constipation. Patchouli essential oil is useful not only for relieving constipation but also in diarrhea and is indicated for irritable bowel syndrome.

Herbs for relieving constipation

The herbs like Bael fruit, Cassia, Chebulic Myroblan, Chicory and Licorice has laxative powers and helps in relieving constipation. The pulp of cassia fruit and chebulic myroblan is used in treatment of constipation. Belleric Myroblan, Castor oil and Rhubarb are used in relieving constipation due to its purgative properties. The half ripe fruit of Belleric Myroblan is used in treatment of chronic constipation. Soak the seeds of Isphagula and then take it. The seeds of this plant have a soothing effect on the mucus lining of the alimentary canal and helps in relieving constipation.

Ayurvedic treatment for relieving constipation

Triphala Choorna, which contains a mixture of the three important fruits of amalaki, belleric myroblan and chebulic myroblan is the most commonly prescribed Ayurvedic treatment for relieving constipation. Beside Triphala Choorna, medicines such as Pancha Sakara Choorna, Agastya Rasayana, Abhayadi Modaka, Madhu Yashthayadi Choorna help in cases of chronic constipation, since they can strengthen the intestinal valves improving their functions.

Laxatives for relieving constipation

There are different types of laxatives like Bulk, Stimulant, Osmotic and Lactulose. Bulk laxative is the best type of laxative to relieve constipation for prolonged use. Bulk laxatives like psyllium prevent constipation by adding bulk. Stimulant laxatives like Dulcolax(r), Correctol(r), Feen-A-Mint(r) and Senokot(r) make the large bowel contract, which can get things moving again. Epsom salts and Milk of Magnesia are examples of osmotic laxatives, which relieve constipation by helping the bowel retain water and by softening the stool.

In addition to this there are other medications that act as stool softeners like Colace(r) and Surfak(r) add moisture, which can prevent stool from getting too hard. Lubricants like mineral oil and glycerin also helps in relieving constipation. Mineral oil is the most common used lubricant, which works by greasing the outside of the stool, allowing it to pass down your gut. Glycerin can help with very hard, dry stool. And if your child is suffering from constipation there are some other ways to handle it. See our toddler constipation article to know the best ways to handle toddler constipation.