13 Best Natural Remedies For Constipation

If you’re experiencing constipation, it can be a nightmare when you have to relive the discomfort and pain that it adds to your life.  But with natural remedies you can both relieve constipation and actually prevent it from becoming a problem again.

While it’s easy to reach for a laxative when you’re struggling with bowel movements, doing so can actually cause more harm than good.  It’s fine to use a laxative once in a while, but if you use them too often you can actually become dependent on them to go to the bathroom.

So before you take a laxative to combat a bout of constipation, make sure you try some of these things first. These 13 simple home natural remedies for constipation are beneficial and can help you to get relief in a natural, healthy way.

1. Fruits and vegetables

The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.  This helps to increase the fiber in your diet so that you’ll have faster digestion and your waste can move easily.

2. Beans

A good constipation home remedy is eating beans. Bean is a great source of fiber.  By eating about ½ cup of beans each day you can help to restore your bowels to a natural regularity. While people often find that beans can make them gassy, that side effect will go away by eating them regularly and adding them gradually.

3. Whole grains

You also need to switch to whole grains whenever possible.  This gives you more fiber in your diet and helps you to have better digestion.  And while it may be an adjustment at first, you’ll eventually find that whole grains have more flavor and you enjoy them more.

4. Seeds

Seeds can also help to bulk up your waste and to soften your waste so that it can leave your body more easily.  Ground flaxseeds can be eaten in yogurt or cereal to help your regularity. Sesame seeds can also be eaten to help you become more regular.

5. Supplement

You need at least 25 grams of fiber each day.  Some people prefer to take a fiber supplement such as Metamucil that contains psyllium husk.  This is an option if you’re not getting enough from your diet.

6. Drink plenty of water

Water can be a great natural constipation remedies. Drink plenty of water to lubricate your digestive system and hydrate your cells.  Instead of sodas, coffee, and tea your body needs to drink plain water.  If you get eight to ten glasses of water daily you can prevent dehydration which is often related to being constipated.

7. Diet

In addition, look at what you’re eating each day.  Some foods are more likely to cause constipation.  If you keep a food journal you can put together what foods might lead you to feel constipated.  Then, by avoiding those foods you’ll naturally relieve constipation and feel better fast.

8. Probiotics

Probiotics can also help your bowels to move in a natural and healthy way.  You can get healthy bacteria by eating yogurt or drinking kefir.  These foods are made by culturing bacteria that’s good for you and aids in digestion.

You can also try probiotic supplements that contain a variety of different healthy bacteria that make digestion smooth and easy for you.

9. Honey or molasses

For an acute bout of constipation, taking a couple of tablespoons of honey or molasses can help you to get relief.  These are natural laxatives and can help you to pass stools.  Molasses is a stronger laxative than honey, so if you’re having a more severe situation it’s a better first choice.

It’s best to take the molasses right before bed so that you get relief by morning.  You don’t want to use this all the time because it’s high in calories, but it’s great for a time when you’re feeling desperate for relief.

10. Caffeine

While caffeine use can cause you to actually develop constipation, the bitterness of coffee is known for helping to relieve it.  Drinking a cup of coffee can help you to get relief from constipation naturally – especially if you’re already hydrated.

11. Healthy oils

Healthy oils can also help to lubricate your digestive system and help you to get some relief from constipation.  Some people use mineral oil as a way to relieve constipation, but this is a petroleum product.

It’s better to get healthy oils from foods that are good for you.  Olive oil, safflower oil, or other vegetable oils can give you the lubrication you need.  You’ll need at least two tablespoons to get the effect.  If you have chronic constipation, taking two tablespoons daily can provide you with relief.

12. Exercise

Exercise is another natural remedy for constipation.  When you move your body you actually help to tone up all the parts of your body – including your digestive system.  The more active you are, the better you’ll be able to go to the bathroom.

If you’re a couch potato, start small with a daily walk.  Eventually you’ll be able to add more activity.  You may be surprised to see how quickly a walk can help you to get constipation relief.

13. Don’t ignore the urge

Developing a bathroom routine can also help you to have more regularity with bowel movements.  For example, each time you eat a meal go to the bathroom a few minutes later.  This gives your body the opportunity to go.

Over time, you can actually train your body to go at the same time each day.  Many people force themselves to hold in feces which only serves to make it harder and more difficult to pass. If you’ve suffered from constipation, never ignore your natural urge to go – find a bathroom.

Conclusion

It’s important to seek natural relief for constipation instead of using medications if you can avoid it.  Often medications treat a problem in the short-term, but leave you with long term side effects. Natural remedies help your body to heal itself long-term.

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