Natural Remedy for Constipation

Updated on March 15, 2009
T.W. asks from Springfield, VA
23 answers

I would like to know if there is something natural i can do to be regular I have had this a lot my whole life it is getting worse and is very annoying.

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A.F.

answers from Washington DC on

Are you drinking 8 glasses of fluids everyday? Are you eating several servings of fresh fuits and veges ? It is pretty hard to be constipated when you eat lots of roughage. Try eating a big salad and foods high in fiber like whole grains and beans. AF

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D.S.

answers from Washington DC on

A friend of mine has hot water every morning (nothing in it, but heat it up like you would for hot tea.)

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B.D.

answers from Norfolk on

My daughter had the same problem, and after much research I found a product online called fiber juice. It worked miracles after just two juice boxes of it. Google fiber juice, it is sold by a health food site, they will send you samples for about $4.00. They also sell fiber cookies, good luck!

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J.G.

answers from Charlottesville on

Hi, T.,
Two products from a company called AdvoCare has helped my girls and I tremendously and we are now regular. ProBiotic Restore is full of the good bacteria that helps keep your intestinal function healthy. Rehydrate is our drink of choice for keeping hydrated. It does something that water can't do! I'm not a scientist, but just know what it does for my body! I'd be happy to send you some samples!

J.
____@____.com

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J.Z.

answers from Washington DC on

prune juice is the most natural remedy for constipation. If your child drinks alot of fluids during the day you may want to decrease his or her fiber intake. If the child doesn't eat alot of fiber and still becomes constipated then have the child drink more fluids like juice and/or water.

J. Z.
www.landofand.com/jenniferzaranis

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I know this isn't very original, but drown it. Constipation occurs when the right side of your colon absorbs too much water from your stool. If you give it more water than it can absorb, then your stool will remain soft. You may have to drastically increase your intake. I was also in the military, so at the risk of sounding like an old salt I'm saying "HYDRATE!" (They always yelled that at us in boot camp lol!)

My next piece of advice is to talk to your doctor about it. You could have constipation-predominant IBS.

Best of luck to you!

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E.D.

answers from Roanoke on

Hello T.,

How are you? I read your request and it caught my attention, mainly because I'm constantly on the Internet responding to peoples' requests for digestive complaints and disorders. I work for a Company Online that sells the Colonix Cleanse and Detox Program and my testimony is submitted on the Site, if you would like to read it, but I must warn you! The pictures are really gross and if you don't have a weak stomach, then by all means check it out! When you click on this link, look at the top of the page and click on "Picture Gallery", then scroll down a little ways and you will find my pic and my testimony....

http://www.drnatura.com/

As you will read on the Site, Constipation can be caused by a number of things and I won't go into a lot of details here, but research the Site and you will find a lot more people that have the same problems that you have. For me, this cleanse was a God Send and that's why I share my amazing story. God chose me for this task, to get the word out and let people know that there is help and there is hope!

We must get back to the fruit of the land, which is Herbs and once we start to take care of our bodies and follow God's instructions and plan for our lives, then we will live happy, healthy, complete and whole lives. I have tried other Cleanses on the market and nothing I've tried compares to the Colonix Program, so before you waste your money and time, you might want to try this revolutionary product. Once all of the crud is cleaned out of your colon, body and system, you will feel like a brand new person and you will become more regular. Please write back and let me know what you decide. Take care and be Blessed!

~E.~

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K.B.

answers from Washington DC on

this might sound funny but if my children eat corn they ALWAYS go the next day. It is supposed to help.

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K.S.

answers from Norfolk on

Have you tried changing your diet? Lost of high fiber foods, leafy greens, veggies and whole grains. Stear clear of too many white carbs like pasta, bread, potatoes and sweets. Sometimes too much of those clog me up and might have the same effect on you.
Speak w/ your doctor to rule out any physical problems.
Also if you are tense and stressed alot that can affect your bowels as well.
Lots of water too.

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L.P.

answers from Washington DC on

I also recommend increasing fluids, but nothing with caffeine because it dehydrates. As far as fiber goes, Target sells fiber bars (similar to granola bars) that have 8 grams of fiber per bar. They come in different flavors (oats and chocolate, oats and peanut butter, etc.). They're not the tastiest morsels, but you can get them down easily and they really increase your fiber intake. I try to eat 2 per day. Try to get at least 35 grams of fiber every day. But increase your fiber intake slowly so you don't get cramps. There are many websites that list the number of fiber grams for different foods. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582 Beans are an excellent source. So are pears. Exercise also helps a lot with constipation. Not sure if you walk/run/workout regularly, but it will help immensely. I never had problems until after the birth of my daughter. It's a daily challenge. Good luck.

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C.L.

answers from Washington DC on

I never had this problem until recently, during my second pregnancy. I would second a lot of the suggestions above (exercise, fluids, prune juice, lots of fiber) but what ultimately worked for me was eating Activia every day per my midwife's suggestion. Also, try a strong cup of coffeef for more immediate relief. Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

My MIL is all into natural remedies and my DH is always having digestive problems. Go to the store and get some bran (not the cereal). Since you are military you probably shop at the commissary. They have bran in the isle with diet foods and meds. Mix the bran with anything at all you really can't taste it. Apples help alot too. Drink lots of water. I have heard prunes work well but I'm just not a fan of them. There are also some yougurts you can try too. My DH likes Activia.

That's all i can think of as of right now. Good luck!

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E.D.

answers from Richmond on

Hey T.,

Any fruit that starts with a P and Apple Juice should do the trick. Prune Juice works the best. I had a nurse tell me that and it works great. God Bless

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A.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Prune juice, apple juice, or pineapple juice. Miralax (softner). Benefiber to increase your fiber. Both dissolve nicely in liquids and have no aftertaste. Make sure you are also increasing your green veggies and raw fruits and veggies. Salads with raw spinach, cooked spinach, and cooked greens, help. Also, watch your sugar intake, dairy and meat intake, which are binding. Finally, make sure you're drinking lots of water. (That's my downfall, even though I know it helps.)

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

How is your water intake? Make sure to drink plenty, at least 1/2 your total weight in ounces. Weigh 150? Drink 75 ounces of water daily. You might try a cup of warm water upon waking. This will help to stimulate the movement in the intestines.

Do you like prunes or prune juice? Eat prunes about 2 hours before bedtime....or drink a cup of prune juice at that time.

Also, check out your intake of fiber. A good fiber intake is very important to regulating bowel movement. Try eating fruit like apples a few times a day. Bananas are good too.
If you have cereal, check the fiber in it. Higher, the better.

Make sure your diet has lots of fruit and vegies(leafy, dark greens), as much in a natural state as possible. (raw)

Also, let your breads be whole grain breads, nut bread, etc. and stay away from white bread. It clogs the system.

So combine as much as possible of the above. Experiment and see what works best for you, alone or in combination.
Water and fiber are ESSENTIALS.

Hope this helps.

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E.K.

answers from Washington DC on

T.,

Along with all of the great advice listed below, try some accupressure. If you gently rub the insides fo your knees, it will help, but you should go from next to your kneecap, towards the floor, come back up so that you have made a circle. Do this for 10 circles then take a break for at least 30 minutes. You can do it as often as you'd like, but try not to do it every day once your constipation is fixed.

F.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi T. you asked for a natural remedy for constipation. First I agree that you must increase your water intake. You should be drinking at least one half of your body weight in ozs per day. (ex. 180 lbs, 90 ozs water). Second, eating fruits and veggies often help as the fiber from the roughage along with the water, helps your colon to get rid of the waste. I will caution you on the fruits though as some may actually constipate you such as bananas. I didn't know this until I saw the effects on the children. The next question I would ask you is how is your stress life? Oftentimes what's causing us stress is also placing stress on our bodies in more ways than we may think. If you are at all depressed your body may be reacting to that. For example, you will crave more carbs, comfort foods or whatever makes you happy (pheremones). However, that's not what your body needs. So I would recommend you checking out those things that are causing you stress. Now if you are eating healthy, exercising, and drinking water here are some natural herbs that will help you to move. Senna ( which is found in exlax) only this is stronger because it is the actual herb. I recommend that you mix it with peppermint tea for it sometimes causes cramping. Then there's a tea called smooth moves and an herb called cascara sagrada. You can find all these at your local health food store. Mom's is usually good for they carry it in bulk as well as prepackaged. Again drinking the necessary amounts of water will definitely help. And please don't eat corn, it is a starch and will only stick to the walls of your colon making your constipation worse. I hope this helps.

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J.B.

answers from Washington DC on

my friend eats the metamucil "crackers" every day (adds fiber); when my son was a baby and had problems they suggested him drinking a mix of 1/3 prune juice, 1/3 apple juice and 1/3 water
also u can check the health food stores. another suggestion would be to find a chiropractor...i know that sounds weird but sometimes there might be something in your body that is "off" and once you are adjusted your body will naturally work better
good luck

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Steel cut oat meal has lots of fiber. 1/4 cup nuked with 3/4 cups water for 2 or so min. I like it with a pat of butter and a little brown sugar. Besides prune juice, prunes are good, too. Fruit, vegetables, leafy salads, whole grain breads, bran cereals are all great fiber sources. Keep your fluids up. If bread, rice apple sauce and toast firm up diarrhea, these are the things to avoid when constipated.

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K.N.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi, T.! How are you? I believe I may have a natural remedy for you that you might like to try. Have you ever heard of mangosteen? It is a fruit grown in Southeast Asia. It contains xanthones which are antioxidants that have very powerful anti-inflammatory properties. My husband and I have found that it is the answer to a multitude of health issues and constipation is one of them. This mangosteen is found in all natural fruit juice called XanGo. We drink 2 oz. daily to fight current health problems and as a means of prevention for future issues. Anyhow, we'd love to share more with you if you are interested. We were so impressed with the results of the juice that we became distributors oursleves and we are now benefiting financially as a result. In just 6 months of just sharing our story with others, we have had 33 people join our organization. The extra income has been awesome since we have 6 children. Please let me know if you'd like to know more or if we can give you a call. To visit our website, just go to www.TonyNguyen.My Mangosteen.com It is a fascinating product and company that has changed the lives of many. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
K. J. Nguyen
###-###-#### (home)
###-###-#### (cell)
____@____.com

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A.G.

answers from Washington DC on

Its easy to know if you are hydrated, and for me being hydrated is the most important thing in staying regular. If you go to the bathroom and your urine is colorless or barely yellow you are hydrated, if not you need more water to keep your bowels working. If you are hydrated than a high fiber diet is the next step. If that doesn't help you need to see a doctor because you may have irritable bowel or a number of other conditions.

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N.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I had the same problem - no more! I use Florify by Melaleuca. Works like a charm. IBS is gone! Happy to share more info. Good luck! N.

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R.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi T.,
When I am not careful I tend to either have diarrhea or constipation. Being careful means eating FiberOne cereal (1/4 cup every morning mixed in with some sugary sweet cereal), exercising moderately five times a week (yoga, walking), and making sure I drink a lot of water.
A probiotic called Florastor, which you can buy in capsule form at the pharmacy without a prescription, is helpful to me. It encourages the growth of good bacteria in the gut, and I use it when taking an antibiotic or even just for pre-period diarrhea, which I get often. You might also try Activia yogurt, which claims to help you be regular if eaten regularly (I have not tested this myself). And there are many yogurt products with added fiber at the grocery store. Good luck!

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