11 Home Remedies for Constipation
Constipation is one of the few topics that you don’t discuss freely, even with family and friends. The problem is literally subdued behind closed doors. But people who suffer know the painful and frustratingly long hours spent in the water closet.
Constipation can be an on-off thing for most lucky people sometime during their life and can be caused by dehydration (less water intake during the day), medicines, illness, lack of fiber in food, etc. Symptoms might last for a day or two, and getting back to a normal, healthy routine gets the system back on track. If things don’t get back to normal within 3 days, seeking medical advice is recommended.
For many unlucky ones, suffering is a daily routine and is one of the most common and easily noticeable signs that something is not right with the stomach, intestines, or general digestive system. Constipation is not a disease or illness as such, though it can be a symptom of other digestive tract disorders or infections.
Treating it with chemical-laced laxatives and OTC medicines can provide temporary relief, but the impact on gut flora and the GI tract can be damaging in the long run. Repeated use of these medicines can impede the body’s natural process and can cause ulcers and other problems. Going natural allows the body to recover and heal itself without any side effects. Here are the best 11 methods to relieve constipation fast:
Table of Contents
- 11 Natural Ways On How To Relieve Constipation Fast
- Immediate Constipation Relief Tip #1 Water
- How to relieve constipation for a newborn: Water
- Fiber-rich foods
- How to relieve constipation in baby
- Fruits and vegetables
- Beans and legumes
- Oils
- Go to the bathroom as necessary.
- Molasses and honey
- Grapes and lemons
- Exercise
- Oregon grape or coffee
- How to relieve constipation in newborns: massage their tummy
- Suggestions
11 Natural Ways On How To Relieve Constipation Fast
Immediate Constipation Relief Tip #1 Water
As simple as this may sound, it remains the number one cure for constipation. Making sure that you consume food with a lot of water and drinking excessive amounts throughout the day would go a long way to help you keep the bowel moving normally. Water should never be replaced with soda or other drinks. Pure, distilled, spring or traditional tap water is the key.
How to relieve constipation for a newborn: Water
Whether your baby is breast or bottle-fed, it’s easy to assume she’s getting enough water due to a primarily liquid diet. If your baby is showing signs of constipation, try giving her an additional 2-4 ounces (1/4-1/2 cup) of water after each feeding to help their bowels flush properly.
Fiber-rich foods
Many of us eat what is not beneficial to us. Try eating some quality grains. 6 Ounces of grains like barley, cereals, bread, etc., are fantastic substances that help to keep the digestive tract and intestines free from any clog.
How to relieve constipation in baby
Bananas, rice cereal, carrots, and cheese are a mainstay of most infant diets–they also tend to have a binding effect on the stool. Foods like apricots, pears, prunes, peaches, and plums are better choices to help avoid constipation.
Fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are not just highly nutritious. They contain a lot of fiber and liquids that are beneficial to the entire digestive system.
Beans and legumes
Rich in vitamins and proteins, any kind of edible beans cooked or other legumes added to daily meals helps in eliminating constipation naturally.
Oils
Sesame seeds, olive oil, vegetable oil, safflower, soybean oil, etc., are great for curing constipation. They are natural and contain a very low level of fats that make them very useful for lubricating the intestines until the constipation is finally gone.
Go to the bathroom as necessary.
One of the major causes of constipation is fighting the urge to go when nature calls. This stores up waste in the intestine, making them harder and creating more gas. Have a daily routine for a bowel movement and go once you feel the urge – no matter what.
Molasses and honey
If you prefer laxatives for curing constipation, then go natural. Molasses are nature’s own natural laxative, and mixed with natural honey, they do a great job of relieving constipation.
Grapes and lemons
These are special fruits with high citrus acid contents which break down intestinal waste with ease. A dose of these natural fruits sure helps relieve constipation a lot.
Exercise
Sit-ups and other high-level physical exercises are good for breaking down the waste in the intestines.
Oregon grape or coffee
Spicy foods play an important role in causing constipation. Therefore, Oregon grapes and coffee are considered good in resolving the issue. Trying black coffee or extracts from the roots of Oregon grapes or barberry breaks the chemical composition of the stool and softens it.
How to relieve constipation in newborns: massage their tummy
With your baby on her back, place your hand on her belly button. Using a clockwise motion, massage your baby’s tummy in ever bigger circles. Follow your baby’s cues as to how much pressure to use. If she fusses or cries, you’re pressing too hard.
There are a lot of ideas and tips on how to cure it; while some recommend synthetic drugs, others prefer home remedies. Going with home remedies keeps you safe from a number of side effects that can result from the use of synthetic drugs.