Natural Constipation Treatments

Constipation is the result of the body's failure to expel its wastes swiftly and efficiently. They are thus retained in the bowel or rectum for days, even weeks, instead of passing smoothly through to be excreted. The western diet - full of refined carbs, sugar, processed foods and chemical additives - can contribute to constipation. The lack of natural roughage supplied by fruit, wholegrains and vegetables can contribute to constipation, as well. Your first step in eliminating constipation should be a change in diet, eliminating the foods mentioned above. If this is not effective, try these natural remedies for constipation:

Herbal Cures For Constipation:

Soak a teaspoon of Linseeds in a cupful of hot water for two hours, drink the tea and eat the seeds with a spoon, adding a little lemon juice or honey for flavor. Or sprinkle organic Linseed onto breakfast cereal, or eat it with yogurt or milk. It is available in most health food shops.

Psyllium seeds work in much the same way as Linseeds. Put a couple of teaspoons of the little dark seeds in a cupful of warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes while they swell into a gelatinous but completely tasteless food. Taken in the morning, with your midday meal and last thing at night, it will help carry old fecal matter right out of the colon to give your system a thorough "spring cleaning".

Yellow Dock Root is tonic and cleansing as well as laxative. Simmer 30 g (1 oz) of the root in 600 ml (1 Pint) of water for 20 minutes. Strain, and drink a small cupful three times a day.

Elder Flowers are another mild laxative, equally cleansing. Take a teaspoonful infused for 10 minutes in a cupful of boiling water, once or twice a day.

Natural Constipation Cures:

Above:
Psyllium seeds aid in constipation.

Acupressure For Constipation:

Acupressure, a non-needle alternative to acupuncture, can be an effective treatment for constipation. See the acupressure for constipation pages for details.