Ayurveda

Natural Remedies for Constipation: Easily Keeping the Stomach Light

By Elizabeth Herman┃Posted: April 17, 2019

Have you ever considered that your headaches and irritability could be linked to your digestive system? Please be honest with yourself. Today’s busy western lifestyle, with so much processed food, global travel and communication, and fast-paced work and play, has brought with it many health problems.

According to a study on the epidemiology of constipation by the National Institutes of Health, over 4 million people (2 percent of the U.S. population) have frequent constipation. As the most common digestive ailment in the United States, constipation has emerged as an issue for many people at one time or another.

But constipation isn’t just limited to bloating and inability to pass stools. There are many other symptoms of constipation such as:

headaches
acne
bad breath
loss of appetite
hemorrhoids (in some extreme cases)
irritability
mood swings
dullness
lack of enthusiasm

Together, all the symptoms can keep one very uncomfortable throughout the day!

What causes constipation?

According to Ayurveda and yoga, constipation is a result of indigestion. This leads to the accumulation of feces in the intestines. When the digestive fire (agni) is subdued for any reason, vata (the air element) is produced, manifesting as stomach pain, heaviness and a rise in thirst. So, the critical question is, what causes indigestion?

There are a few answers. Some are lifestyle-related. In these cases, if you make specific lifestyle tweaks, you can regain a clean colon. Meanwhile, some of the other reasons are circumstance-related, when constipation results from pregnancy, age, and travel.

Some lifestyle-related causes of constipation and indigestion

Diet: Processed food, alcohol, meat, excessive dairy, and a lack of fiber are the most common dietary causes. Remove the constipation-inducing food items, and chances are that you’ll make your morning bathroom trips happier!

Insufficient water intake: The food in your intestinal tract needs water to move and reach its final destination. Thus, with less consumption of water, you’re likely to feel constipated. Drinking sufficient amounts of plain, room temperature water (water doesn’t mean soft drinks!) is the best natural remedy for constipation.

Lack of movement: Our sedentary lifestyles trigger constipation. The solution lies in including walks and some form of exercise in your routine. The after-dinner walk is especially beneficial for smooth elimination.

Natural home remedies for constipation

Tending to your diet, water intake, and physical exercise are effective ways to relieve yourself of constipation. Here are some other practical tips and remedies which can bring constipation relief:

1. Have one teaspoon of ghee in warm milk at bedtime.

Ghee (clarified butter) lubricates your intestinal tract and helps in the smooth passage of the feces. Choose the best quality organic ghee. Though ghee is preferred, if you don’t have ghee, you can use oil instead! It works on the same principle as ghee. Doctors recommend taking a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil on an empty stomach to relieve constipation.

2. Consume fibrous fruits and leafy vegetables.

Leafy vegetables have nutrients which aid in the contraction of the muscles of the intestine, while fibrous fruits increase the bulk of feces and thereby help in its release.

3. Consume urine of a desi (indigenous to India) cow.

A desi (native Indian or indigenous) cow gives the A2 variety of milk, which is considered healthier than other kinds of milk. Consuming desi cow urine (Gomutra) is an effective ayurvedic remedy for constipation. According to Ayurveda, cow urine is helpful for constipation, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal colic pain.

If none of these home remedies work for you, it’s advisable to consult an Ayurveda expert or Vaidya (ayurvedic physician). With the help of nadi-pariksha (pulse diagnosis), an ayurvedic doctor can recommend the right internal medicines and other ayurvedic treatments for constipation.