12 Natural Constipation Remedies You Should Know About

Constipation is a very common problem for many of us. Although conventional medicine defines constipation as fewer than 2 or 3 bowel movements a week, you should really have at least one a day. If you have anything less than one a day, you could benefit from these 12 natural constipation remedies.

A daily and regular bowel movement is super important for your overall health. When constipated toxins accumulate and can cause all sorts of diseases such as hemorrhoids or fecal impaction. Don’t wait until it is too late. Constipation is relatively easy to resolve. As usual, Mother Earth will provide you with all the tools you need. No need to run to the pharmacy for laxatives, there are much safer and cheaper options for you to try to find relief.

What Causes Constipation

• Poor diet: a diet lacking fiber is the number one reason of constipation. Fibers bind and bulk waste material and toxins from your intestines and improve bowel movement.
• Laxative abuse: constipation is a very common problem and many people use laxatives to find relief. But those can do more harm than good in the long run. You may require higher doses and your intestines may stop working like they should. Your body may even become depended on them for normal and regular bowel movements.
• Hypothyroidism: these days more people are struggling with hypothyroidism and constipation is one of the main symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS causes colon spasm which interferes with proper bowel movements. Click here to learn more about natural remedies to ease or cure IBS.
• Holding up consistently: some people avoid using any other toilet but their own. Ignoring the urge to go may, over time, cause constipation. And another reason why you shouldn’t ignore the urge to go, the longer you hold up the more water gets absorbed from your stool, making it harder and difficult to go and stay regular.

Natural Remedies To Treat Constipation

If you struggle to stay regular and make your daily bowel movement, try one of these. Your aim is an odorless, arm’s length bowel movement a day, and preferably first thing in the morning or spread over 2 to 3 times during the day. This is considered a normal and healthy bowel movement.

1.      Fiber Up

Dietary fibers are super important to keep things moving. They bind and eliminate sugars, waste material, and toxins from your intestines. Fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are the best way to include more fiber into your diet.

Due to high consumption of processed foods which lack real fibers, the average American only meets half its daily need of fiber and deficiencies are a common problem contributing to constipation and other digestive disorders.

Best whole food fiber sources:

All fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts contain fiber but here are the ones with the highest concentrations. Eat at least 5-7 servings of fruit and veggies a day.

• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed
• Wheat bran
• Seaweed
• Wheatgrass
• Berries
• Leafy greens
• Legumes and beans
• Sweet potato
• Peaches
• Pears
• Apricots
• Prunes
• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas (ripe, unripe can have the adverse effect and cause or worsen constipation)

Tip: Include more raw vegetables or lightly steamed vegetables to avoid fiber loss.

ALSO READ: Recommended Daily Fiber Intake: The Lowdown

2.      Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Raw ACV improves nutrient absorption, prevents indigestion, and improves bowel movement. Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water and add 1 tablespoon raw ACV(with mother!!!!). Drink up to 3 times a day, preferably before a meal.

ACV has been used for ages as a cure-for-all but should not be used long term. Click here to learn more.

3.      Squatting

Squatting over your toilet, or the way our ancestors moved their bowels before the toilet existed, is the most natural position and reduces the risk of hemorrhoids. Special devices exist to modify your toilet or you can simply keep a chair close by (see pic).

4.      Be active

Daily exercise will improve circulation, bowel movement, and regularity. When you are passive your bowels are too… No need the run a marathon or do daily cardio, a good walk or some yoga stretches will keep things moving as well.

Find more natural constipation remedies below!