Constipation is an irregular bowel movement that occurs less than three times a week. It generally constitutes passing very hard and dry feces and is accompanied by discomfort and pain. It is not a disease, but an indication of either one or a combination of irregularity symptoms. These may include: poor diet (too much protein, too little water, shortage of fiber), lack of movement, hormonal changes, colonic and rectal problems, changes in water and food due to travel, anxiety, depression, not chewing food properly, antibiotics, and abuse of laxatives or even cough medicine.

The simplest way to avoid constipation is to increase your fluid, fiber and fruit intake with foods like s almonds, dried figs, desiccated coconut, dried apricots or prunes.

In case this does not work, nature has a whole range of herbal remedies for us.

The most widely used are laxative herbs, which generally fall into three categories:

Bulk-forming laxatives. The most well known bulk-forming laxative is psyllium (the main ingredient in Metamucil). Some others are wheat bran, flaxseed, fenugreek, and marshmallow root. It is recommended to take about one teaspoon of seeds three times a day, followed by plenty of water. Ingesting seeds without water may actually lead to gastric obstruction.

Mild laxatives, such as dandelion root are used in cases of chronic constipation, since they can be taken on a prolonged basis without side effects.

Stimulant (purging) laxatives. This is the most prevalent and popular group of herbal laxatives. It includes cascara sagrada, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, and some others. Cascara sagrada comes from a Native American tree and has been in use for a long time. Although it is the gentlest of this group, it is not recommended that it be taken for longer than 2 weeks. Rhubarb root is also safe and smooth. The ‘non- violent’. Senna is a bit stronger. The best way to take them is as herbal infusions (teas). Use 1 teaspoon per cup of water. Brew up to 3 minutes for flowers and leaves, or 5 minutes for seeds, or 10 minutes for roots and barks. Take up to 3 times a day. In order to counterbalance the bitterness and some unpleasant taste of these herbs, it is recommended to mix them up with better-tasting peppermint, ginger, and fennel which also help relax the intestinal tract.

Licorice root is another herbal supplement that may relieve constipation and provide for regularity. Take is as a tea, together with dried figs or prunes for a tasty snack.

Constipation may be also relieved through massaging the abdominal area with a mixture of a several drops of rosemary, or fennel oil with grape seed oil.

Start taking Vitamin B1. This is especially effective if preceded by a course of antibiotic treatment. Another way of counterbalancing the effect of antibiotics is to take acidophilus to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive system.

Prune juice is an extremely gentle laxative. Apple-pear juice is also highly recommended.

Almost immediate gentle elimination can be achieved through fecal softeners and lubricants, such as mineral (ex. peanut) oil, administered though an enema.

Andrei has a special interest in alternative medicine – when diagnosed with prostate cancer, he decided to forgo conventional therapy and find relief in ‘alternative medical treatments’. It was not easy, but it worked, and he has been cancer free for almost a year now. Alternative medicine is not his only interest, you can also check out his latest website discussing Coolaroo Dog Bed features, varieties and benefits for your pet.

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