Remedies for Constipation Relief

Home remedies for Constipation; Get Relief

Constipation is NO FUN! It can be very painful while making you feel sluggish and worn down.

The most common causes are lack of a good diet or exercise, stress and fresh air.

Let's learn about what foods you should eat, which ones to avoid and some great Home Remedies that will help alleviate the problem!

I have suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome for many years. With that, I have had to battle the constipation. So, I decided I was going to find some remedies that could really help give relief without taking drugs or laxatives, which are not good for your body anyway One of the first things you need to determine is whether you are drinking enough fluids, especially water, daily. Then, what about fiber? Are you including fiber in your diet?

We have all heard that we need to drink at least eight (8 oz) glasses of water a day. Any fluids will help, but water, by far is the best. It's really easy to do when you think about it.

I buy the 16oz bottles of spring water, so I figure if I drink four of those a day I have my eight glasses. It's that simple.

Ok, so what foods should I eat?

A person must eat lots of fiber daily to maintain healthy bowel function. According to Patricia Harper, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, most people don't get enough fiber in their diets. The American Dietetic Association recommends at least 20-35 grams of dietary fiber for adults and at least 30 grams for those who have problems with constipation. Now you may be thinking, yuk, I have to eat that much fiber a day! Well, it's not as hard to include it as you may think.

Fiber comes from complex carbohydrates- such as those in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eating one-half cup of green peas gives you 5 grams, one apple has 3 grams and a bowl of bran cereal can supply up to 13 grams. A handful of small carrots has 3 grams and 2 slices of whole wheat bread will benefit you with 4 grams of dietary fiber.

Let's say that you have these mentioned items in one day- a bowl of bran cereal for breakfast; a sandwich with 2 slices of whole wheat bread, carrots with ranch dip and an apple for lunch; chicken breast with green peas for dinner- whaala! You already have 28 grams with this and you might add a salad with your supper which would supply quite a bit more. See, it's really not that hard.

See what Flax Seed can do for constipation.
Many other foods that can be included in the "high fiber" category are prunes (nature's remedy), figs, raisins, pears, popcorn, oatmeal, spinach, cooked dried beans and nuts. Be careful, though, because beans and other high fiber foods such as cauliflower and cabbage can produce gas which bloats up your stomach causing additional problems. Also, avoid certain foods that seem to cause the constipation. Milk, for instance, can cause it for some while it give other diarrhea. Bananas, potatoes or even meats are hard to digest and cause slow bowel movements.

Each person is different so pay attention to your eating habits and avoid the culprits.

Now, let's look at some Home Remedies that can really help relieve constipation:

Make fresh fruit or vegetable juices and drink immediately for maximum benefit.

Eat prunes or figs on a daily basis. They both contain amazing laxative properties.

One tablespoon of Castor oil and orange juice mixed together and taken at night is said to work wonders. Or, mix the castor oil in hot milk to help.

Eat yogurt with raw oats or ground flax seed mixed in helps produce bowel movements.

Mix 2-4 teaspoons of Epsom salt with 8 ounces of water works as an effective laxative.

Take 1 teaspoon of olive oil each morning to help lubricate the digestive system. Not too much, though, you don't want to clog up your digestive tract. Also, you can add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the olive oil and try.

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of bran on your cereal or oatmeal each morning to help ensure regular movements.

Try adding 1 tablespoon of corn syrup to 8 ounces of water and drink once a day.

Mix a little sugar or some honey in a glass of milk then drink twice a day.

To help clean your system out squeeze half of a lemon or lime and mix with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Drink it in the morning to see results within a short while.

Slice a whole tomato, sprinkle with a little salt then eat it in the morning before you eat any food or drink anything. It is known to be a "sure thing."

Equal amounts of creamy peanut butter and corn syrup mixed together are said to be quite effective.

Eat 3-6 garlic cloves a day (I would add them to a dish)will help.

Along with eating the right kinds of foods and all the remedies; getting plenty of exercise is very important. In fact, it may the best remedy of all. Why, because our bodies must have regular exercise to keep all of our organs functioning properly.

I know for me, when I am constipated, a good brisk walk gets things moving, then I feel much better all the way around!

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A Remedy To Remember: Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. Genesis 1:10-12