Home remedies for Constipation

Constipation is a very common condition that tends to affect more women than men. It generally appears to women just before their period or during pregnancy. It is normally not very serious although occasionally, complications can occur if the condition is not treated.
Symptoms of Constipation

· Stomach ache and cramps

· Change in your normal bowel pattern

· Headaches

· Furred tongue

· Loss of appetite

· Fatigue and depression

· Feeling bloated

· Feeling sick
Causes of Constipation

According to Ayurveda, constipation is generally caused due to aggravation of vata. But it can also be caused due to aggravation of pitta or kapha.

It is mainly caused by wrong eating habits and bowel habits. Eating too much of food that the digestive system can't handle, eating food items that are not easily digested by body, not taking enough fibrous food like fruits and vegetables, irregular sleeping pattern, mental tensions, etc can cause constipation.
Herbal Treatment for Constipation

The best laxative is triphala. When used as a laxative, triphala strengthens colon. Other laxatives are harsh on colon, which is unfavorable condition. Triphala balances metabolism, thereby ensuring more nourishment to blood. Take a teaspoon of triphala powder at bed time.

Triphala is basically an ayurvedic medicine that is popular as rasayana or the rejuvenator. It is the combination of three herbs. These herbs are

* Amla (Emblica officinalis)
* Harada (Terminalia chebula)
* Behada (Terminalia belerica)

Triphala is a valuable herb for digestive problems. It not only works as a mild laxative but also helps in improving the peristaltic movements in the gastro intestinal tract. It stimulates liver to secrete bile juices that are very essential for fat metabolism.

According to ayurvedic practitioners, it is one of the best colon cleansers and is highly recommended in constipation. It helps in detoxification of the body. It has gained the popularity as the mild laxative.

Also include fruits like papaya, mango, banana, grapes, oranges, apple etc in your diet. Carefully chew your food. Do not eat spicy, frozenfood items. Avoid food items that have preservatives.

Food prepared with cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric and fennel as condiments are easily digested.
Home Remedies for Constipation

1. Try drinking a glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon or lime in the morning before you eat or drink anything else.

2. Integrate raisins, figs, dates or prunes into your diet. They help you in relieving constipation.

3. Eat at least 350 grams of grapes each day. The combination of the properties contained in the grapes, namely cellulose, sugar and organic make it a natural laxative food and helps you in curing constipation.

4. Eat bael fruit. This is regarded as the best of all natural laxatives and it can also clean and tone up a person's intestines. Using it regular for 2 to 3 months will even help to get rid of old accumalated faecal matter.

5. Chewing a few sticks of liquorice (mulathi) each day is also beneficial as this is a natural laxative. It is a very useful remedy for constipation.

6. Just before going to bed, put 3 teaspoons of psyllium husk (Sat Isabgol) into a cup of warm milk or water and drink.

7. Substitute white rice with brown rice and have a fiber cereal in the morning.

8. Avoid food items that are overcooked, refrigerated, preserved or canned. Replace refined starch food items with whole grain food items.
Useful Resources

* Constipation Cure
This is termed as any problem to bowel movements that may turn into dry stool or the defecation becomes troublesome. About 2-5% of the population is suffering from this one or the other way.
* Triphala for Colon Cleansing and Constipation
Triphala prevent aging, imparts immunity and improves mental faculties. It helps to detoxify the liver, restore digestion and purify blood. Triphala is widely used in a large number of medicinal preparations.

Foods to Avoid in Constipation

There are many types of foods that cause constipation. You should limit or eliminate your intake of these foods in order to prevent the onset of constipation symptoms. While constipation can occur in anyone and is not a serious illness, repeated bouts of constipation can lead to more serious illnesses. Sometimes constipation is a side effect of a medication or illness. If you are taking the medication or suffer from an illness that may involve constipation as a symptom of the illness, you should try to avoid foods that make the risk of constipation higher.

Here are some common foods that cause constipation:

* Milk
* Cheese
* Ice Cream
* Chips
* Pizza
* Instant mashed potatoes
* Pastries
* Cakes
* Cookies
* Fried Foods
* Processed Foods
* Wheat-based Foods
* Red Meat
* Dried Beans

In order to help prevent constipation you should avoid or limit your intake of dairy products, foods that are high in fat content, foods that are high in cholesterol content, and processed foods. Prepared meals that come in boxes is one type of food that causes constipation.
Foods That Help Relieve Constipation

There are many foods for constipation prevention and the relief of the symptoms of constipation:

* Bale fruit - cleans and tones intestines
* Bran products - provides fiber to soften stools
* Guava - provides needed roughage
* Corn syrup - helps to soften stools
* Sugar - helps to soften stools
* Spices - such as cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel, and asafetida makes food easier to digest
* Apple Pectin - provide natural fiber
* Folic Acid - insufficient intake of folic acid can cause constipation
* Honey - natural form of sugar
* Lemon juice - drink with warm water 2-3 times daily

Other hubs on Constipation

* Home Remedies for Constipation
Constipation is not a pleasant feeling and sometimes linked with headache and lack of energy. This hub has covered causes, complications, diet, and home remedies to cure constipation.
* Best Constipation Cures at Home
Constipation refers to a health condition when fewer bowel movements are occurred than it should be. It is indeed an uncomfortable and embarrassing health situation that even require serious medical attention if continues for longer period