Treating Constipation Naturally

By Troy Adams

There is no reason to use a laxative or other product to cure constipation, because everything you need is probably already in your house or can be purchased at any local grocers. While you might immediately think of those ingredients commonly used in natural home constipation treatments like rhubarb, buckthorn, flaxseed, aloe, and senna, the simplest and most effective natural home treatment for constipation is changing your diet and drinking more water. First, you'll want to increase the amount of insoluble fiber you consume, because fiber naturally scrapes the walls of the intestines and helps clean them out. Next, drink lots and lots of water. Staying well hydrated makes stools moist. Both clean intestines and moist stools mean they are easier to pass and you are less likely to become constipated.

Insoluble fiber can be found in things like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Since fiber passes through the digestive tract virtually unchanged, wheat bran, brown rice or whole grain breads are a good way to add fiber, but eating plenty of fruits and vegetables daily is a good preventive measure. For example, eating raw vegetables, such as celery, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be the most effective because they act as natural scrubbers as they pass through the intestinal system. Of course, you can cook the fruits and vegetables, but for the most fiber and nutrient content, raw is recommended.

You can also alleviate constipation and prevent future constipation by ensuring you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each and every day. Your body requires this much water to stay hydrated, function properly, and keep from becoming constipated. While many people think they get enough water in their diets because they drink soda, coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages, that isn't the same. Alcohol and all the sodium in many soft drinks can actually dehydrate the body rather than hydrate it. And excessive coffee and tea often upset the body's balance and result in diarrhea.

Sometimes people inadvertently contribute to their own constipation because they do not have a bowel movement when they first feel the urge, as they should. By delaying or waiting, stools lose moisture and get hard and dry-the main reason for problems with hemorrhoids. Eating a proper high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of water is the best natural treatment for constipation and the easiest to implement.

Some people benefit from colon cleansing, if they have an unusually high amount of mucus built up in the intestines, making it harder to pass stools. You can make a home remedy colon cleanser but stay close to the bathroom because this works relatively fast.

Start by mixing one teaspoon of sea salt in a large glass of warm water. Drink this twice daily. Then mix up the colon cleanse detox mixture. Combine 2 Tablespoons natural lemon juice with an equal amount of organic maple syrup. Add in 1/10 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Stir this into a large glass of water. Drink the mixture 6-10 times each day.

This is a colon cleansing diet that has been used for weight loss when used for seven to ten days, but it is effective as one of the natural treatments for constipation. Some people may have heard of the lemon-maple syrup detox or colon cleanser, but it contains natural ingredients that are helpful in cleaning out the digestive and intestinal systems. Many people will use this once a quarter to keep the system clean. In the meanwhile, the best natural treatments for constipation are to eat plenty of grains, fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. A healthy, balanced diet can make your system regular. - 30414

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