Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Natural Treatments for Constipation

By Troy Adams

Constipation can be treated with natural ingredients you can purchase in the grocery store or probably already have at home. Flaxseed, rhubarb, buckthorn, and aloe or senna are frequently ingredients in natural constipation remedies, but often no special remedies are needed. Rather, changing your diet and increasing your intake of water can treat constipation naturally. Eating a diet rich in insoluble fiber helps clean the intestines out and soften stools so they pass easier. Drinking lots of water also moistens stools for easier passing.

Insoluble fiber can be found in things like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Since fiber passes through the digestive tract virtually unchanged, wheat bran, brown rice or whole grain breads are a good way to add fiber, but eating plenty of fruits and vegetables daily is a good preventive measure. For example, eating raw vegetables, such as celery, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be the most effective because they act as natural scrubbers as they pass through the intestinal system. Of course, you can cook the fruits and vegetables, but for the most fiber and nutrient content, raw is recommended.

To avoid constipation and stay hydrated, the human body requires 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Increasing your water consumption to the recommended amount is the least expensive and easiest way to treat constipation naturally. Drinking soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea are not the same as drinking water. Those high in sodium actually dry out and dehydrate the body, as does alcohol. Too much tea or coffee upsets the intestines and, for some, can even result in diarrhea.

Sometimes people inadvertently contribute to their own constipation because they do not have a bowel movement when they first feel the urge, as they should. By delaying or waiting, stools lose moisture and get hard and dry-the main reason for problems with hemorrhoids. Eating a proper high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of water is the best natural treatment for constipation and the easiest to implement.

Some people benefit from colon cleansing, if they have an unusually high amount of mucus built up in the intestines, making it harder to pass stools. You can make a home remedy colon cleanser but stay close to the bathroom because this works relatively fast.

Start by mixing one teaspoon of sea salt in a large glass of warm water. Drink this twice daily. Then mix up the colon cleanse detox mixture. Combine 2 Tablespoons natural lemon juice with an equal amount of organic maple syrup. Add in 1/10 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Stir this into a large glass of water. Drink the mixture 6-10 times each day.

This detox mixture is actually a remedy often utilized over a 7 to 10-day period to induce weight loss. However, it also works very effectively to treat constipation naturally. The natural ingredients are very effective for cleansing the entire digestive and intestinal tract. Those who wish may use this treatment every few months throughout the year. In between, they should make an effort to eat a healthy, fiber-rich diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and drink lots of water to stay regular and avoid constipation.

About the Author:

No comments: