Constipation
Constipation is defined as infrequent or irregular bowel movements, with difficulty, discomfort, and sometimes pain on passing dry, hard feces. Regular bowel movements are important for removing toxins from the body and can affect all areas of our body and health. It is estimated that 90% of all diseases and imbalance in the body stem from a clogged or unclean intestinal tract. The number of healthy bowel movements will be different from person to person because of how unique we all are. Some people go three times a day, after each meal, and if it goes down to once a day, they are constipated. Still another may have a daily BM and another, every other day. It is important to discover what your “regular” is so you can be aware if you need to do some work in getting the bowels moving and those toxins out. Main causes of constipation are poor diet (processed, refined foods and fried foods) and stress. Others can be a lack of exercise, not drinking enough water, eating too much meat or dairy, not eating enough fiber, withholding the urge to go, pharmaceutical and antibiotic use and abuse of laxatives.
Symptoms of constipation can range all over the place since this is a toxic build up condition in the body which can manifest as all kinds of disease. The most common signs of toxic build up and blockage are pain in the abdominal area (this can be real intense), difficulty passing stools, infrequent passing of stools, or diarrhea, strong body odor, bad breath, and strong smelling gas, coated tongue (toxins trying to be released from the body), headache, fatigue and indigestion.
Symptoms of constipation can range all over the place since this is a toxic build up condition in the body which can manifest as all kinds of disease. The most common signs of toxic build up and blockage are pain in the abdominal area (this can be real intense), difficulty passing stools, infrequent passing of stools, or diarrhea, strong body odor, bad breath, and strong smelling gas, coated tongue (toxins trying to be released from the body), headache, fatigue and indigestion.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Eat only whole foods, avoiding anything processed or refined.
- Avoid dairy, cheese and meat until the bowels are cleared and then introduce slowly to see how you feel. These should be consumed sparingly as part of a balanced diet. Cultured dairy, such as kefir and plain yogurt, are fine and may also help the condition because of the probiotics.
- In addition to the above, other constipating foods to avoid; oatmeal and other “pasty” cereals, pasta, fried foods and doughy foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Some causes of constipation are not enough fluid. Avoid soda, processed drinks and concentrated juices. Include lots of purified or distilled water and fresh juices.
- Chew your food thoroughly. Do not swallow until the food is like a paste.
- Eat small, light meals, avoid heavy and large meals.
- Get moving. Exercise. Yoga is especially good for getting the bowels moving. Other great ones are walking, jogging, climbing, dancing and swimming.
- Pay attention to how you feel after you eat something and avoid items that seem to trigger the condition.
Remedies
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- Fiber Flush (The Prime): 1 teaspoon each of ground flaxseed and psyllium seed powder, stir together and add some water then drink quickly before the psyllium powder turns gelatinous. Take this as often as you feel but always every night before bed and with a glass of water afterward.
- Laxative Gruel (Dr. Christopher): 3 parts each of flaxseed, psyllium seed, licorice root powder, marshmallow root powder, and comfrey root powder. 1 part lobelia, powder. A gruel is made by boiling water and slowly pouring over the herbs while stirring until a paste is formed. Sweeten with raw honey.
- Bowel Balls: 2 cups finely chopped dried fruit (raisins, prunes, peaches, apples, dates and/or figs), 1 oz. powdered flax seed, 1 oz. powdered licorice root, 1 oz. powdered slippery elm bark. Stir together and add enough raw honey or blackstrap molasses to form into balls. Roll in something powdered to coat and prevent stickiness (arrowroot, coconut flour, powdered flax seed, etc.) Eat as you feel needed.
- Abdomen Massage: Use any of the essential oils below alone, in combination or one of the DIY blends. Drop 3-5 drops of essential oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil or herbal infused oil (I like St. Johns Wort or Calendula) and begin at the bottom left side of the abdomen and massage in a circular, clockwise motion.
- Heating Pad: Just having heat on the abdomen can bring relief of pain and aid the body in moving the bowel. I like to apply the heat right after the abdomen massage.
- Warming Compress: Use any of the essential oils below alone, in combination or one of the DIY blends. Fill a bowl with hot water, add several drops of essential oil along with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil (olive oil, almond oil, etc.). Soak a washcloth in the water mixture, then squeeze out excess water and place over abdomen. Insulate with plastic wrap and can even place a heating pad over that, keep on until the cloth cools to body temperature. Repeat several times. Alternatively you can make a tea with any of the herbs listed and use that to soak the washcloth in.
- Natural Calm: This is a name brand for a magnesium supplement that can get things moving. Look for it at your local health food store.
- Fresh, ripe fruit of all varieties
- Papaya fruit or enzyme tablets
- Unsulphered dried fruit, especially prunes and figs
- Raw fibrous vegetables
- Green leafy vegetables
- Whole grains
- Cultured foods rich in probiotics; kefir, yogurt, kraut, ginger beer, etc.
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- Triphala, Indian formula used in Ayurveda
- Marshmallow, lubricates the intestinal walls while soothing and healing inflammation.
- Raspberry leaf and alfalfa aid in detoxifying the body, these can be made into tea.
- Warm chamomile tea with raw honey is soothing and pain relieving for side affects associated with constipation.
- Cumin seed, coriander seed, fennel seed in equal parts, make as a decoction (from The Prime).
Use singly or combine together.
DIY Blends/Recipes:
- Marjoram
- Rosemary
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Ginger
- Juniper and pine
- Orange, lemon and tangerine
- Spearmint and Peppermint
- Black pepper
- Tarragon
- Anise seed
- Digestive blend from your favorite company
DIY Blends/Recipes:
- 3 drops orange, 2 drops fennel, 2 drops carrot seed in 1 tsp. of carrier
- 5 drops spearmint, 5 drops pine, 5 drops rosemary in 2 Tbsp. of carrier
- 6 drops each of orange, tangerine, and spearmint
- 15 drops cedarwood, 10 drops lemon, 5 drops, peppermint in 2 oz. carrier oil. Use as a massage oil and massage abdomen 3 times a day.
Disclaimer: The Information contained on this blog is for educational purposes only and as a guideline for your personal use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, prescribe or replace the advice of a licensed healthcare professional. Those who follow these suggestions do so at their own risk.
