1.
Oil…it gets more than cars running
Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty
fat; it can also help relieve constipation. It’s not surprising really when you
consider what olive oil’s texture and consistency is like - it’s practically
the poster child for constipation home remedies.
It stimulates
your digestive system, which helps get things moving through your colon, and
taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.
You
will need…
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
Directions
In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil.
It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else. If
you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while.
You can mix
it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon
juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation.)
2.
Freshen up from the inside out
The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant
for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested
material that may have built up along the walls of the colon.
Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the
intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get
everything moving normally again.
You
will need…
-1 fresh lemon
-1 cup of warm water
Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water.
Drink or sip until finished completely.
3.
Coffee is our friend (sometimes)
A lot of people love their morning coffee, but it
does more than just give off heavenly aromas and help you perk up. Caffeine is
a natural stimulant for the digestive system, so indulging in a cup will help
get you up and running in more ways than one. 1-2 cups is fine, but make sure
you don’t overdo it-too much can actually have the opposite effect. Coffee is a
diuretic and makes you urinate more frequently, and if you drink it an excess,
it can cause constipation by dehydrating your body and drawing out water that
would normally soften your stool.
4.
Get moving
If you want stuff to move through your body, you
need to move too! Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes
that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re
active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise
is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get
the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well.
Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour
after big meals before exercising.
There are
also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting
good old number 2 out the door.
5.
Go natural (aka fiber, fiber, and more fiber)
You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural
diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just
improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains
and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as
easily.
To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain
boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage.
In short,
fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws
water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk
to it, which in turn helps it pass.
Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can
contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good
fiber-filled foods include-
-Beans
-Apricots
-Whole grain bread
-Berries
-Broccoli
-Plums, pears, and apples
-nuts
-Potatoes (skip the fries though)
6.
Get some FLAXitive
Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for
constipation. It sort of coats the walls of the intestine, as well as stool,
and increases the number of bowel movements you are having.
Enjoying your
oil with orange juice is a double whammy when it comes to constipation, since
oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with
pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)
You
will need…
-1 glass of orange juice with pulp
-1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
Directions
Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of
orange juice. Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hours) to start
working so you don’t overdo it.
7.
Establish a routine
Regulating
the timing of when you go to the bathroom will regulate your bowel movements as
well.
Set aside about 15 minutes anywhere from 1-3 times a
day, and take your time, even if nothing happens. Make sure you stay relaxed,
and eventually your body will catch on.
8.
Baking soda does it all
Baking soda lies at the heart of home remedies. It’s
is so incredibly versatile, and it pretty much does its job 95% of the time.
It works incredibly well for constipation (and tummy
aches in general) because it is a bicarbonate, which will encourage air to come
out of you one way or another, and relieve pain from pressure.
It also
re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizing the acid a little bit and helping things
pass through your gut.
You
will need…
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 cup warm water
Directions
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm
water. Drink all of the mixture-the quicker you finish it, the better it seems
to work.