There are many reasons why we can suffer from constipation (stress, diet, illness, taking certain medications, dehydration, etc.). Whether this disorder is usual for you or not, you probably only want one thing: for it to go away and for the discomfort and pain to stop! Here we give you 3 effective natural remedies to keep on hand to regain good intestinal transit, regain your comfort (no more bloating, swollen stomach, etc.) and ‘unblock the pipes’.
During the crisis, consider eating foods that will not make the problem worse.
1) Honey against constipation
If you are looking for a gentle but effective treatment for you or your children, you can turn to honey and more particularly to laxative properties of certain varieties: acacia honey, buckthorn honey, mountain honey or even rosemary honey. This will help you without giving you diarrhea! An alternative is the use of pollen, as detailed here.
To do this, it’s simple: pour a tablespoon of the chosen honey into a rather tall glass and top up with lukewarm water. This remedy is drunk on an empty stomach every morning.
2) Magnesium chloride (or nigari)
It is believed to have benefits for blood quality, for the kidneys, against depression or fatigue, in cases of coughs or colds and to stimulate the immune system. However; these are indeed these anti-constipation properties which interest us today thanks to its laxative effects. However, it has disadvantages such as risk of diarrhea in some and its unpleasant taste (to be softened with sugar water or fruit juice sans citrus).
Start by buying it at the pharmacy. Dilute a 20 g sachet in a liter of water or liquid of your choice and drink glasses several times a day reducing intake as constipation dissipates. Start by taking it every 3 hours, then every 6 hours and finally every 12 hours.
3) Anti-constipation candies!
In addition to being fun and delicious, these candies have the advantage of working well against constipation, because they have a stimulating effect on transit. With its medium chain triglycerides (MCT), coconut oil greatly improves intestinal function.
What you need:
- 215 g (or about 16 tablespoons) extra-virgin organic coconut oil
- 6 to 8 cl of fresh lemon juice (to be measured according to your tastes)
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
- Mold [s] and silicone
The steps:
1) Place the molds in the freezer for 10 minutes.
2) Pour all the ingredients into the blender, mix and add more or less lemon juice or honey depending on your taste.
3) When everything is perfectly well incorporated, take the molds out of the freezer, pour the mixture into them and refreeze for about 1 hour.
4) To take, count 2 candies per day for a child and see after a day how they react. For an adult, you can count 4 candies and add 1 per day thereafter to find the right dose.
How to prevent constipation?
To prevent constipation, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle and eating habits that promote good digestion and regular intestinal transit. First of all, hydration is crucial. Drink enough water every dayapproximately 1.5 to 2 liters, helps to keep stools soft and facilitates their passage through the colon. Avoid dehydrating drinks such as those containing caffeine (sodas, etc.) or alcohol.
Then, a diet rich in fiber is fundamental to preventing constipation. Dietary fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, adds bulk to stools and promotes their movement through the digestive tract. Including foods such as apples, pears, spinach, lentils and oatmeal in your daily diet can greatly improve intestinal transit. Above all, avoid processed foods and foods high in saturated fat which can on the contrary slow down intestinal transit.
Regular exercise also plays a key role. Physical activity, even moderate such as brisk walking, stimulates bowel movement and helps prevent constipation problems. So try to do at least thirty minutes of sport per day. Additionally, establishing a regular routine for going to the bathroom and not ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom can also prevent constipation. So, be sure to always respond to your body’s needs as they arise and the signals it sends to maintain regular intestinal transit.
Consider consulting a doctor if the problem persists. Please note, these remedies are not suitable for very young children. Our tips against constipation in babies will perhaps be more appropriate here.