“Potty problems” are something we avoid in our everyday conversations. While you may be more than willing to share how much your sore throat is torturing you, rarely do you go into the office and announce that you haven’t pooped in five days. However, constipation is not something to be embarrassed about, and if you’ve had it (and we all have) than you understand that it is no laughing matter-in fact it can be downright debilitating. Before running to the drugstore for a quick-fix laxative (which often worsen the problem) try some simple home remedies to relieve your discomfort, and keep it from coming back.
1. Oil…it gets more than cars running
Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty fat, it can also help relieve constipation. It’s not surprising really when you consider what olive oil’s texture and consistency is like- it’s practically the poster child for constipation home remedies. It stimulates your digestive system, which helps get things moving through your colon, and taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
Directions
In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else. If you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while. You can mix it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation.)
2. Freshen up from the inside out
Ah the scent of a fresh lemon…did you ever think your stomach might appreciate it as much as your nose? The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon. Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.
You will need…
-1 fresh lemon
-1 cup of warm water
Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.
3. Molasses makes the world go ‘round
Blackstrap molasses has been a sweet savior for more than a few sufferers of constipation, be it chronic or occasional. The reason blackstrap molasses works so well is because of how it is made. Regular molasses is essentially pure cane sugar juice boiled to concentrate and crystallize the sugar. The third boiling results in blackstrap molasses, which is crystallized but contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, specifically magnesium, which is what helps the constipation. It’s natural, tasty, and while you thank goodness someone decided to repeatedly boil a bunch of sugar, your body will thank you for the natural remedy.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses
-warm water or tea (optional)
Directions
Consume one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses. Start slow and small here-if you don’t like the flavor of molasses, you can add it to a cup of warm water or tea to dilute the taste. If you find that a teaspoon has not been effective, you can go as high as 1-2 tablespoons, but try less at first.
4. Coffee is our friend (sometimes)
A lot of people love their morning coffee, but it does more than just give off heavenly aromas and help you perk up. Caffeine is a natural stimulant for the digestive system, so indulging in a cup of joe will help get you up and running in more ways than one. 1-2 cups is fine, but make sure you don’t overdo it-too much can actually have the opposite effect. Coffee is a diuretic and makes you urinate more frequently, and if you drink it an excess, it can cause constipation by dehydrating your body and drawing out water that would normally soften your stool.
5. Get moving
If you want stuff to move through your body, you need to move too! Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well. Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour after big meals before exercising. There are also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting good old number 2 out the door.
6. Go natural (aka fiber, fiber, and more fiber)
You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as easily. To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage. In short, fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass. Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include-
-Beans
-Apricots
-Whole grain bread
-Berries
-Broccoli
-Plums, pears, and apples
-nuts
-Potatoes (skip the fries though)
7. Get some FLAXitive
Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for constipation. It sort of coats the walls of the intestine, as well as stool, and increases the number of bowel movements you are having. Enjoying your oil with orange juice is a double whammy when it comes to constipation, since oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)
You will need…
-1 glass of orange juice with pulp (8 oz.)
-1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
Directions
Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of orange juice. Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hourse) to start working so you don’t overdo it.
8. Aloe-it’s benefits aren’t just skin deep
Aloe is known to soothe minor cuts and burns, but it can also soothe your tummy. It’s best to use pure aloe vera gel from the plant. The gel straight from the plant is more concentrated than commercial aloe juice so don’t use more than 2 tablespoons. If you don’t have an aloe plant, than drinking aloe juice can accomplish similar results.
You will need…
-2 tablespoons of pure aloe gel or 1 cup of aloe vera juice
Directions
Mix two tablespoons of pure gel with fruit juice and drink in the morning, OR drink one cup of aloe vera juice as needed.
9. Establish a routine
Potty schedules aren’t just for puppies, they’re a great way to relieve and prevent constipation in humans too. Regulating the timing of when you go to the bathroom will regulate your bowel movements as well. Set aside about 15 minutes anywhere from 1-3 times a day, and take your time, even if nothing happens. Make sure you stay relaxed, and eventually your body will catch on.
10. Baking soda does it all
Baking soda lies at the heart of home remedies. It’s is so incredibly versatile, and it pretty much does its job 95% of the time. It works incredibly well for constipation (and tummy aches in general) because it is a bicarbonate, which will encourage air to come out of you one way or another, and relieve pain from pressure. It also re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizing the acid a little bit and helping things pass through your gut.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 cup warm water
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water. Drink all of the mixture-the quicker you finish it, the better it seems to work.
11. Empty out with Epsom salt
Epsom salt is an effective home remedy for constipation for two main reasons. First, the salt draws water from its surroundings, softening up stool and making it easier to pass. Second, the magnesium that is present in the salt promotes contraction of the bowel muscles, which also makes passing easier. Table salt can be useful in terms of drawing water out, but it lacks the magnesium that Epsom has, so try and use Epsom salt if possible.
You will need…
-2 teaspoons of Epsom salt (for adults) OR ½ teaspoon (for children)*
-1 cup of water or fruit juice
Directions
Dissolve 2 teaspoons of Epsom salt in one cup of water or fruit juice and drink all of it. If within 4 more hours there is no sign of bowel movement, you may take one more dose. Only use ½ teaspoon for children.
*Consult the box for dosing
12. Don’t forget the prunes…
Perhaps one of the most classic cures for constipation is prunes or prune juice. The fruit works as a natural laxative because it has high amounts of fiber, and contains sorbitol. Sorbitol softens stools because it is a natural carbohydrate that is not easily ingested, causing it to draw a lot of water as it passes through the intestines and adding bulk to stool. Be careful though-too much and sorbitol can cause gas and make stool too soft.
You will need…
-2 glasses of prune juice (8oz)
Directions
Drink one glass of prune juice in the morning and one at night to relieve constipation. It should start working within a few hours, so it’s important to let one glass pass through your intestines before attempting to drink another-or else you risk diarrhea. You can also eat several prunes instead of drinking the juice if you prefer.
13. Heed natures call
This is a preventative measure to help ward off those uncomfortable bouts of constipation in the future, and it’s pretty straightforward. When you need to go to the bathroom-go! Your body is giving you the signal for a reason, and it’s a good idea to listen. The longer you hold it in, the more water is absorbed from the stool, and the harder it becomes. You’re body also only sends the signal to have a bowel movement for a certain amount of time, after a certain amount of time. That’s why if you have to go really badly and don’t, you stop feeling like you have to go. Delay the duty and you may not get the heads up to go until you’re even more clogged.
14. Dandy Dandelions
Dandelions are a terribly annoying weed, but you might view them differently after they help relieve your constipation. The constituents of dandelions make it a gentle laxative as well as an effective detoxifier, and a cup of dandelion tea will be enormously beneficial to those who are suffering from constipation due to inactiveness or the consumption of a lot of processed foods (although drinking it does not mean you don’t need to exercise or eat healthy!)
You will need…
-1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves
-1 cup of hot water
Directions
Put 1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves into a mug, and pour hot water over them. Cover and let steep for 6-10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day.
15. Bacteria is necessary
Healthy gut flora is vital to keep our digestive system working properly, especially in these times, when our stomach is getting pounded with all sorts of processed sugars and foods. Working to keep the good bacteria in our bodies strong and plentiful will help prevent constipation, and lessen its severity should it still occur. There are a number of ways to go about helping your bacteria flourish, but one simple method is to enjoy a cup of yogurt, which is filled with probiotics, with breakfast and during the day.
You will need…
-1-3 cups of plain yogurt
Directions
Eat a cup of yogurt with breakfast, and then on its own or with snacks throughout the day.
16. Rock the squat
It sounds a tad awkward, but literally squatting over the toilet can help relieve constipation and kick start your colon. It’s a natural position that our bodies understand means “it’s time to go!”
American’s spend a little less than $1 billion dollars a year on laxatives that will ultimately only contribute to the problem, and wreak havoc on the body. Know that you do not have to have a bowel movement every single day to be regular-that is a myth that contributes to the dependency on laxatives. Some people only poop every few days and that’s normal for them, while others go multiple times a day. We’re all different, and there are too many factors to decide how often every single person should be going-just know your body and use common sense.
Constipation may be something that people like to keep to themselves, but whether you don’t tell a soul, or announce it on graduation day via the loudspeaker, it all comes down to the fact that it can seriously impede day to day life. It is also, thankfully, something that can often be effectively treated naturally and at home. As a bonus, many of the lifestyle changes that help constipation (diet, exercise, etc.) simply make you an overall happier, healthier human being.
You may also like our list of 8 Ways to Get Rid of Athlete’s Foot
We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:
I already take Culturelle, but wanted to try the Apple Cider Vinegar routine on the back of the Bragg’s bottle. I am on day 2, and will keep everyone updated.
I have had constipation all my life. I had to start taking morphine for my back 15 years ago. It freezes the bowel. Anyway I have come up with an all natural formula that works so good I guarantee you will go to the bathroom. and if you need to you can use it to stay regular. Hopefully it will be on the market soon.
Hi! Would you be willing to share your formula for constipation. I could certainly use it! Thank you!
I have chronic IBS on the constipation side…am curious about your remedy!
What is it? Had morph for my back in therapy but having problems with constip. Need to do therapy and not twist everything up.
I use blackstap molasses with 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and some minced garlic and that really cleans you out.
I am going to try the olive oil with the lemon juice.
Eating broccoli works well for me as well. And so does the plain yogurt when I make a home made smoothie with walnuts some berries and a little stevia for a little sweetener.
@Effie-I’ve used the blackstrap as well, it works wonders!
I’ve also found that a cup of cold water with 2-3 teaspoons of Braggs apple cider vinegar with breakfast gets things moving along (if u do this after you eat, make sure there’s a loo close by)
-Elsa M
How long did the combination of molasses, cayenne pepper and garlic take?
I use Bragg’s ACV and raw honey. Tablespoon of each, 8oz of warm water. Works great!
Ugh that baking soda is a rough rout to take. But I guess when you get desperate and its the only thing around, it will do. Great write up Claire, I just love your site!
Not good if you have ulcers it will make tummy hurt
gotta be careful with the baking soda if you have hypertension. too much sodium
Hi Jackie, Thank you for your post. very helpful as I’m looking for home remedies for my mother who recently had intestine surgery to repair a blockage. She has suffered most of her life with severe constipation as well hypertension. The surgery did not help if anything it has made matters worse and i’m really worried about her…
@ Ann.. My husband has just got over a terrible bout of ulcers caused by Stress. He took Honey and Cinnamon for the pain. A 1/4 small cup of honey and about a level tea spoon of Cinnamon a bit more is ok too. Mix half with cold water and Hot water. Do not use boiling water first as it will destroy the goodness in the Honey. He also takes Aloe Vera Gel, a desert spoon full in a small cup. Mix with half cold water and half hot water. This gel coats the stomach or where the ulcers are and helps to heal them, as does the Honey and Cinnamon. He used to writhe from the pain and I was at my wits end. Today I am smiling. He still has the stress and is trying to keep it in check. Your diet must be controlled as well. Keep away from anything which is acidic as well as Coffee. One cup now and then more then is ok. You won’t look back. If during the day he felt bad he would drink the Aloe Juice. I have noticed that he has stopped drinking that now. Good luck…
I just did the baking soda added it with some cherry Mio wasn’t that bad
Try lemon, bicarb & a bit of warm water, the taste is like fizzy lemon.
Awesome post ….thank you from Canada..
I have used canned mushrooms(or fresh ones boiled) are an excellent laxative, all-natural fiber and no calories
I got this recipe from a website a few months ago and it really works. All you need is half a cup of apple sauce and 2 table spoons of dark karo syrup. Hope this helps!
Karo syrup was used by my mother and grandmother and greatgrandmother. Grandmother said during ww II store owners would keep syrup under counter for people who had babies, constipation and colic.
The best one is saurkraut juice use the brine thats what works
Baking soda is dangerous if you have ulcers it will make your Tummy hurt bad
Thank you for all the research you do. Your suggestions are widely varied, and I have found the ones on bowel elimination, extremely helpful. I always look forward to more healthy news and hints.
A few drops of essential oil of lavendar on the bottoms of the feet helps the bowels move….it has worked with my baby daughter with Down syndrome and even post op after complications during an intraabdominal pacemaker needed to be replaced and had ‘stunned’ her bowels and there were no bowel sounds after surgery. Putting essential oil of lavendar on her feet for 12 hours had her making ‘regular bower sounds’ and all of the ‘output’ that goes with it….and out of the hospital!
Your advice was a life saver!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
How many drops and how many times a day did you have to put the Lavender on your little girls feet? I’m training to be an aromatherapist and this would be a fantastic trial for me to do. I hope you receive this! Thanks!
Great, helpful, easy information, thanks for sharing.
I have chronic constipation and was desperate to try anything so I tried the baking soda with warm water. I almost died from the nasty taste! I do not recommend it to anyone! I gave it a couple of hours but it didn’t help 🙁
So I tried the lemon with warm water and waited a couple of hours and it worked for me!
Thank you Claire!
Yay, I am glad the lemon water helped! That one has gotten me out of a pinch a number of times :p
Can lime juice be substituted for the lemon?
A 1/2 tsp of baking soda fully dissolved in a glass of water shouldnt bother anyone. I have to wonder how much you took and if you fully dissolved it before drinking.
Prune juice is my cure, I suffer from OIC, from Opana and Norco for MS pain, and nothing works, constipation causes ‘rhoids, that bleed, and 24 oz of prune juice seems the only thing that works, Mirilax – nothing, MOM – nothing, Colace – nothing, prunes… Get out da way !
Oh thats awful, the mirilax works after a few days, it softens the stool. Give it a few days. I push half water n prune juice, canned or jarred apricots, also drink the juice from the can. Anything thats juicy with food, or oil, like a asian salad. Apple juice is helping my son tons. Limit meat n dairy.
i have the same problem….i can go almost 2weeks before anythings happens. I am going to try the lemon and water thank you Connie
did this work for you? i go for 2 weeks also and am miserable right now from the rich holiday food.
Your gut flora is out of whack! Do a stool test for parasites and bad bacteria. Once you fix these, a lot of your health problems will go away, including constipation.
AND quit gluten and sugars!!!! They cause all the bad bacteria. I swear by it
10 Papaya seeds and 1 tablespoon of honey every day x’s 10 days cures parasites in 90÷ % of people. And probiotics takes care of the bad bacteria
I’ve tried so many things but nothing ever works neither will any kind of laxatives. Really need to find something that works. I hurt almost everyday due to not using the bathroom regularly. On a good week I might use one twice a week.
Try slippery elm powder 1 teaspoon with a glass of water 2 times per day without skipping days. After trying different methods for years slippery elm has proven to be the best for me.
Did you find a solution for your constipation?
i have used raw bran for years. i dump it into my cereal, little by little, until it does the trick. the problem i’m having, is that even though i’m not constipated because of the bran, the bran is giving me a “wheat belly” – like a big belly. so i’m looking for some additional alternatives for myself at this point.
My advice stop using wheat bran (I believe you have sensitivity especially if you’re bloating) and switch to oat bran (its kind of like finer ground oatmeal)…mix it with “natural apple juice” and cut up fresh apples, and sprinkle a few dried cranberries if you like – let sit for a few minutes (3 minutes covered-not cooked)…delicious!
I have been consipated for the past four year and i am so desperate to find a solution.I tried almost eveything,I strarted with lemon and ginger on epty stomach and before i go to bed.I trried the prunes and prunes juice.I used a tablespoon of Virgin Olive oil and i have also used the cayenne pepper.After i use all this things my stomach seems as if i will be relieved soon but nothing is happening.I mean even the laxatives are not working.Please assist becasue this condition affects my health so bad.i didnt have eyes problem in the past but now i depend on eye drops,my skin is so bad,oily with black heads and i was not like that before.Please help me.
Look up different types of laxatives and their uses. There are some suppositories which are stimulant laxatives that can be used that are supposed to be very effective, as well as saline enemas. Using a suppository that has cocoa butter in it every day can help too which is something i do. Pineapple juice will also help to regulate how your digestive system works if drank everyday.
Thanks Ms Clair for this wonderful information. I would like to comment for the one who posted on Dec. 5,2013 at 11;39 am. I recommend you to consult a doctor as soon as possible and do some investigations. Thanks
Hi, may be you need to change your eating habits if you haven’t done it yet. Drink honey with warm water before you go to bed and in the morning cereal with warm milk. Try to go and sit in the bathroom even though you are not feeling like going . Your body will get use to it and without paying attention, you will be better. I also eat OKRA, my favourite vegetables, it helps me to go the next morning. It worked for me. Don’t lose faith 🙂
Can’t eat honey if diabetic like me!
I tried the baking soda and within ten minutes tried a big swig of olive oil… I’m not sure if it was the combo or just the oil but I’ll tell you I thought I was going to die! I just had a spinal fusion and pain pills clog me up. The oil worked within 5 minutes. I had to run to the potty. It was (pardon me here) HELL!! But it worked. I wish you luck I know how terrible this problem can be.
This one sounds like a winner. I’m interested in trying it, I take pain meds for chronic back pain and this can be extremely frustrating. I most recently have noticed mild cramping on a daily basis but not all day long. Also when I evacuated yesterday, it felt as if glass was moving through (hurt like hell). There was blood. But I don’t get alarmed by the blood because it’s there when these stupid hemorrhoids are flared. I noticed those after I gave birth to my first child 19 yrs ago. K pushed for 1 hr and 45 minutes which caused the hemorrhoids.
I also had spinal surgery similar to fusion and the medications they gave me really clogged me up. They gave me a lot of synthetic stuff but none of it helped. I’m not sure exactly what helped but I managed one gulp of the warm baking soda water as well as some nuts, a little fruit, and a probiotic pill. I feel a little better but I’m only just starting to get cleaned out.
Yes can. 1 tbsp of organic unprocessed honey will not raise your blood sugar. I’m an RN and also use it for antibiotics
I was having the same problem and was told to eliminate milk products from my diet. It worked for me. As long as I stay away from them I have no problems. It is worth a try and does’t cost anything. I now use soy milk in place of regular milk.
Too much soy is also too much soy…make sense? Try coconut milk as a break from soy products. Soy, depending on where it’s harvested may also be GMO and let’s get our heads out of the sand concerning those products.
Please stay away from soy. Use almond milk.
Does almond milk really work on people that dont go regular please let me know thanks.
The almond milk was recommended as a replacement for dairy products, which can sometimes make constipation issues worse. It wasn’t suggested as a remedy.
yes, this is me exactly! I’ve tried everything to the extent and nothing at all has ever worked to help me go .What to do , anyone ?
You may benefit from colonic irrigation by a licensed colon hydrotherapist. The procedure gently introduces warm water into the colon and dissolves built up layers of stool, which then are expelled from the body by natural peristaltic action. It will likely take a number of sessions to clear out the hardened material and tone up the muscles of the colon. By the time we reach midlife, there can literally be pounds of old, hardened waste that can’t be removed without some help. This worked for me.
Enema are quick relief and would help you constipation. Your skin would look better and your total health also will improve. You can buy enema bag from Walmart lest than $5. In the mean time, your diet matters, so try to avoid/minimize fast foods and processed foods, eat or juice green vegetables in your diet. Good luck
Try magnesium caltrate , look at wal mart by laxatives. It is a small clear bottle usually on bottom shelf, about 8 or 10 ounces, read directions, it does not cramp your stomach, but it will start making noises, but it really helps unclog you. It has cherry and grape flavor. Hope this helps.
I think you mean “magnesium citrate”
Yep – this is my ‘go to’ remedy. It will flush you out within a few hours!
I know this is an old post but for anybody else read book could it be b 12 deficiency having low stomach acid instead of acid reflux plus check know the cause they have a product call poop doc . I take probiotics HCL with pepsin and digestive enzymes if you can handle also Kombucha tea i like the ginger citrus flavor one at healthfood stores. I pray for all of you to get better Blessings.
You had an infection, and the doctor prescribed antibiotics, or you had dental work, or an accident, and you took the antibiotics.
Now you need to replace the *good* bacteria the antibiotics killed.
You need ‘probiotics’.
Look for at least 25 million “CFUs” [Colony Forming Units], or even 50 billion “CFUs.”
Whole milk organic yogurt, and kafir, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods can also help restore the good, “beneficial” bacteria.
It could save your life.
Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!
I agree 100% with JH Steedley-doing what he says will take care of a lot of issues.
You should really go to the docter or get an inima it really works
Yellow Myrobalan / Chebulic Myrobalan ( Terminalia Chebula Seed ) is very effective for alleviating constipation. It is laxative. Take the peels (hard shell) of 2 or 3 three seeds.Boil them in one cup of water for a few minutes. Drink this water in the night before going to bed. Next day morning one can experience a free motion. This is very effective.
i would recommend that you drink as much water as you can on a daily basis.
I just started drinking water. They said I needed more water in my diet to make my bowels move. I hope it works.
You probably need pro-biotics, maybe for a good year to keep it from coming back, and maybe an enema to get you started.
Go to a doctor.some things can’t be solve by natural remedies
Make sure your body doesn’t have any virus or infection s as well// i was constipated for a week began eating cloves of garlic to clear any infection ( white blood cell count was high) baking soda warm water Lemon juice early AM within 15 mins smooth groove / I refuse to take antibiotics I was prescribed
Try to juice, specially greens for breakfast, or you can add avocado,to your meals it’s high in fiber, also papaya.
Recipe for colon cleanse:
Pineapple
Spinach
Romaine lettuce
Kale
Celery
Cucumber
Lime
If you never use before use moderation, such as 1 of each, pineapple about 1 round slice, the lettuce & kale 1 leaf, celery 1 stalk etc. preferably in the AM and organic in a nutrabullet – I find the nutrients and minerals are retained best.
is their a werid rash on your forhead? that means your intestines are clogged drink atleast 5 cups of water a day, nothing will work without water, I was constipated for 7 years I started drinking water, pooping, and the nasty rash on my forehead went away. drink water! have you been gassy too? drink water! farts are poops honking to get out! they just need a little push w/ water!
I have had the same thing happen only recently. They’re located on each side but only on the sides near each temple. They produce small blister-like bumps that eventually become filled with yellowish whiteheads. I’ve upped my water intake along with coconut water &milk products. Hopefully they stop coming back. One thing I noticed is that if I put neosporin on them they go away, but eventually do return .
I don’t know setails about your lifestyle, but from my experiences, I’ll say If you are a drinker,take a break from it. Senna based laxatives? stop! they make it worse. Prescription meds? see what you can cut out, all that stuff creatives a physical dependency on laxatives. Keep trying your natural solutions in the mean time. tryan all veggie diet for a while, and if it works keep it! I also had problems for years when I was on antidepressants. pain meds, you name it will do the same. It took a while to rebuild from being on any meds. And Avoid flour intake,
That is all I can give you right now. I don’t know your details, but I’ve been through the feeling for long term. Lately, Having problems since coming back from a week of occasional drinking after the holidays, I generally am sober otherwise. Best of luck finding solutions!
At target i found magnesium citrate it will cure constipation but when ever you drink it be aware you want to be very close to a bathroom
The prune juice is not for me. Honestly, it just gives me gas.
Try eating some prunes – the first time trying them I was enjoying the taste, and may have gotten carried away. Long story short, they will clean you out.
Side bar on eating prunes: I cannot eat them without 1) chilled in refrig 2) the orange-flavored kind. If you are having taste issues, give this a try. The orange essence prunes come in a yellow bag.
That means it’s working and moving the stool in your bowel. If you put 1/2 bottle of Mag. Citrate you will go. Increase mag Citrate as needed
Will Real Lemon juice concentrate work as well as the juice of a fresh lemon
Thanks so much for the info, I try everything to get my regularity back. Its been a little over a year I’ve had constipation problems. I hate to take laxatives because I dont want to become dependent. Sometimes I’m regular and going everyday for a month and then I’ll stop going again, I just dont know what causes it. I’ll try to incorporate every one of these ideas into my daily routine in addition to avoiding gluten and dairy, and hopefully I’ll see some lasting changes!
I had the issue that you are talking about..going regularly for close to a month and found that it came down to the change in hormones with my period.
Thank you for the help. I have been constipated for 9 days.I went to the hospital. They gave me magnesium citrate. And mirlfax. That helped for a day then everything backed up again for 4 days then I tried baking soda. It helped a little, but my stomach still hurts and is blotted. Any ideas for flushing my whole colon. Desperately seeking any advice. How many times can you drink baking soda. ???:-o:-o:-oΘ_Θ
Every day 1/2 to 3/4 glass prune juice with eith 1/2 bottle mag Citrate or 1 big Tablsp. Epsom salts. Start looking to see what your eating. Dairy grains or both
The best thing for me is unflavored gelatin. I bought a one pound bag from Azure Standard, so much cheaper than individual Knox packages and it’s good for you, too. Anyway, just 1/2 tsp or so sprinkled on applesauce or whatever and you’ll be right as rain by the next day. It does not dissolve in cold drinks!
thanx for the help. I LOVE YOUR SITE!!!!!!!!
i will send a reply back with my results and what worked for me . Thank you Mrs Claire.
Thank you thank you Claire! This may sound dramatic but you are a lifesaver! I have been miserably bloated and crampy for days, and the baking soda took care of me! You have a wonderful site 🙂
Can I make use of grenadine molasses .
it happens to me last week, i really get suffer from it, Damn it. all the stuff you post is awesome, but my personal suggestion everyone is to eat papaya as much as you can, because it works. for me its a best medicine, papaya is an fruits angle
I was constipated for almost 4 weeks nothing worked until I tried the lemon and water on the morning worked a little for 2 days and by the third day bingo cured
I tried the baking soda with warm water. Although the taste was awful within 30 minutes it helped me. Thank you for this site!
Surprised there is no mention of soaked flax seeds.
Thank you! I was having some pain, and these suggestions helped a bunch. I appreciate it
I have constipation but flax seeds really helped when I blended them with warm water in the blender
These are some great home made remedies. My personal favorite is using organic psyllium husks in water with lemon. I drink a glass at bedtime and it works by the next morning. You can drink this everyday for regularity.
Well, having just experienced gallbladder removal and unusually constipated for three days, I drank three tablespoons of olive oil! It is such a natural lubricant and worked perfectly. Thanks for reminding me what I should have remembered..after all, I am a quarter Italian!
I have struggled with this problem for the past 3 years and have yet to find anything that works for me. I normally end up going so long without being able to use the washroom and in so much pain where I can barely move around, and find myself tossing and turning and trying all sorts of positions till I find one that allows me to e somewhat comfortable and in a bit less pain;( Most if the time I go so long and the pain and everything else is so bad that I end up being rushed in or taken to the hospital and being admitted from anywhere from 1 day up to 2 weeks, and several times have had to have the nasal tube to drain everything out and put on a strict liquid diet or absolutely nothing by mouth;( The pain and discomfort has gotten so bad in the past that I have passed out/black out and then come to with either my husband around or my 3 young children crying and worried cause they don’t know or understand whats wrong and going on with mommy:( I am beyond frustrated, and hopeless, and desperate.!!!
Have the doctors checked for an intestinal blockage?
Please go see a specialist. A blockage can kill you.
I enjoyed your site very much and was so hopeful and praying something would work for me. I am going on day 37 and the last thing I want right now s another trip and stay a the hospital! If you have any other ideas or suggestions I am more than willing to hear ad try them. Thanks;)
This sounds awful to go through for you. I have had success with Miralax – just a cap a day but I read that it can cause problems. While I don’t know if that’s true, your problems seem to be worse than what this could cause. My gastroenterologist told me I may have to be on it for life and I don’t want to be on Miralax or the generic version but it seems to be the only thing that works other than a laxative or enema and those certainly are habit forming. You have to take it every day and just one capful would be enough most days. Good luck!
My daughter started Miralax when she was 18 months old. I had taken to the peds clinic at the university hospital. A ped in town plus our family doctor. Nobody knew why she was constipated. But after almost 5 years of being on Miralax, I was tired of it. Plus I found out what the chemicals in them are really made for…… NOT GOOD! I took regular dairy out of her diet. Changed her to Almond Milk (I use Lactaid milk to cook with). Now she is regular. Almonds are a natural laxative too. As long as she drinks at least one cup of almond milk a day she is just fine!
Miralax every meal. throw in benefibre when you’re cooking. and the real secret? Drink water. tons and tons and gallons of water. That pushes the fibre through (you are consuming lots of fibre, right?) Water and Walking. It’s hard for me to walk because of my feet, but sometimes just a brisk go around the house is enough as long as I’ve drank water water and more water.
hallo I’m co depressed just of recent I do suffer a lot in washroom.too much pain in my anus due to constipation.it hurts at times I. may cry don’t know how to prevent I Neva had the problem before.advice pliz.Vicky from Kenya
For two days I have been constipated. After reading the post, I tried the baking soda. It worked. Thank you Claire.
having issues with what seems to be a anal fiscure… any remedies to ease this pain… went to a doctor but nothing came of the their so called cure. Seeking a natural relief and any curable idea’s please I’m 47
Fasting one day a week is very good for constipation. Try it . It will regulate motion in the long run. Just stay on liquids during that day. A hot glass of milk in the night with a spoon of clarified butter in it will also ease your stomach.
I’ve suffered w/constipation most of my life; diagnosed w/IBS. Recently discovered if I stay away from gluten the constipation problem all but disappears.
Sprinkle unprocessed bran on your cornflakes for morning breakfast.
Hi is this-1 tablespoon of olive oil-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional) is this best to make you go to bathroom. Can you drink this even if you taking medication for high blood pressure like warfarin6mg because my dad is having problems using the bathroom for 6-7 years and he had 2 strokes so I would appreciate if someone can tell me what’s good for him I am running out ideas he’s doctor wouldn’t help us so can you guy’s help me please my dad is in he’s 60 years old so can you please please help me thank you
When my mom was alive and on warifin. I used 100 percent prune juice. I gave her say 1/4 Cup a day to keep her regulated. You could start there and add more until he goes then try say 1/8- 1/4 cup or until you figure out what regulates him. Talk to doctor and make sure it is ok but it is all natural. Might have sugar in it naturally so if diabetic might be a concern. Prune juice always worked for us.
She had issues w/constipation and sometimes the opposite. I tried to regulate with food when she constipated, stayed away from cheese, bread, rice etc. just stuff we know is constipating. If had the other i would add cheese, some kind of rice dish etc.
I am 77 and diabetic since 32 years. I am also a chronic constipated . I cunsulted several doctors and taken lot of medicine to get relieved from this constipation. I even tried self soap water enima. but all are temporary. One day I was going through the Web and found solution for constipation.
It is the good fiber and plenty of water in take ( whether you like or not ) and a minimum 20+20 minutes walk makes the waste to slide out from our colon. Fiber such as flax seed roasted and fine powdered , Isabgol ( a husk laxative,which will bulk form when added water. You also must drink plenty of water along with it ). Fruits and green vegitable dishes relieve constipation. Now I am free from constipation.
I am suffering from constipation for the alst 20 years and no treatment till date, only remedy is either some tablets (luxatives) or enima. Tried almost earything but no effect. What shal I do.
I woke up with severe pain and constipation this morning so I decided to try the Olive Oil and Lemon Juice remedy listed. The results were also instant – I had a bowel movement and the pain subsided away. Just be warned: it works REALLY well, so you may want to make sure you’re close to bathroom when you use it, and drink plenty of water after. Thank you so much! I feel so much better!
Use Pitted Prune juice. I drink a 6 oz glass every night, and It’s been 10 years, since I have had a problem. I also cut out the caffeine, and Alcohol. Those 3 Items, will dry you out. Avoid breads, pretzels, and fast food…. I can’t say enough about this. And In time, you will lose weight… I lost 38 lbs, and just changes a few Items. Amazing…….
Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. Whewww!! Finally. Knock on wood. Getting sick with this problem is no joke.
Bunged up for 5 days! Nothing would touch the problem. Prunes, Cali-fig – nothing. Tried one tablespoon of olive oil before breakfast. 10 minutes later? Problem solved. Wow!
Aloe drink mix with fresh fruit juice beets/grapefruit. Afterward 1tsp. cold press coconut oil. That should definitely get the motor running as easy breezy.
Drinking plenty of water each day can address constipation. Change of lifestyle can be considered, too.
A bowl of oatmeal every morning keeps me regular.
I had a stomach bug that gave me diarrhea, took a tablet for it and now constipated and i just tried that baking soda one, wished i looked at these comments first, took a tiny little sip and was horrified at the taste, i’m now trying the lemon juice one at least it tastes better hopefully it’ll work because i haven’t had a decent night sleep in over a week because of the bloating
Thanks tried lemon n water hopefully it works
Hi, tnx for all these ideas. unfortunately i have been constipated for the last 6 years. I have tried many different things from going to the doctor to having homeotherapy pills. There are times when i dont go to the toilet for weeks and all that toxic builds up in my body. I feel nauseus but i cant vomit and i feel like going to the toilet but nothing comes out. I have an extremely ugly but bloated stomach. Plz can someone help me urgently.
Yours faithfully
fully depressed
Hi everyone,
I can relate to depressedgal and everyone- I have suffered many years with this and it completely makes life miserable, pain ful and frightening too! I continually try new things and hope to help out a little from these suggestions. what works for some doesn’t work for everyone but I have had chronic constipation for years and never thought some things would work for me that have. I am so bad that when I went in for a colonoscopy even the prep didn’t work!!! I would check for H pylori- which was picked up for me and was diagnosed as IBS-C (so they don’t really know?) Anyway, I decided to go on a Gluten free diet and hard as it was, stopped ALL laxatives and daily amounts of prune and other juice I was drinking. The change was unbelievable in the first few weeks, but I still have to keep on top of it and now it is a daily routine I follow that keeps me regular most days.
The night before I go to bed, I soak 6 pitted prunes with water and leave overnight and they are all soft and easily digestible by morning- I take those first thing on an empty stomach and then follow with coffee and or Tea and water.This worked like magic for months but I got used to it, so began soaking Chia seeds into a gel the night before (can be looked up online) 2 tablespoons to one cup of water, if they are soaked they will work like a gel and cause no pain! Mix with a little juice or water. I wait half an hour and then take a good probiotic (even if I have gone already!) with some yoghurt and a banana and then take a magnesium/calcium tablet. Then I eat breakfast and by then I have usually cleared for the day.
It’s worth trying just the soaked prunes or chia seeds and add slowly later if needed. Magnesium works better with calcium and I take that everyday! I also take a natural powder capsule of 2 fruits called triphala (also online info) and that is a natural mild laxative. I hope these ideas help!
Really, getting into a daily routine and a good diet with lot’s of water is what keeps me going. I do have bad days but I used to go for up to 2 weeks without going!!! Or very painful dose of senna laxative or magnesium salts etc. Now I’m regular most days if I watch my diet and follow my program, I still have digestive issues but no stomach pain! All the best!!!
Sarah
Thank you Sarah! I have had the same problem for 20 or more years. The colonoscopy preps have never worked for me either! Lately I’ve been especially bloated and look 8 months pregnant. It’s been over a week since my last BM and I can’t take much more.
I’ve tried probiotics, raw foods, kale salads, fruit, stool softeners with mild laxatives and magnesium chelate (don’t knowing hat helps,but why not?). I consume at least a gallon of water a day, possibly more. Even oil doesn’t help! Guess its time to go gluten free? Maybe it’s been the culprit all along. Anyway, wish me luck. It’s late but I’m going to try something from this list tonight, maybe the baking soda if I’m brave enough :-). It sounds like it works quickly. Gotta get lemons and psyllium tomorrow.
Thanks for your post.
Look at other things besides gluten. I have the same issue with milk. If I stay away from it, I may not go every day as a norm but I do not have the issues that I do when I have milk or ice cream a couple of days in a row. I replaced milk with kefir. After finally figuring out what was causing the problem, I found out that one of my sisters has the same issue and another is literally allergic to milk. For farm kids rather an odd thing to be allergic to but almost all of us (4 sisters and 2 brothers) have some odd allergies so check with any siblings for issues that they have.
Try to eat juicy foods, I found apricots, canned or jarred, then drink the juice too. Limit meat n dAiry. I push lots of juices for my son, apple juice is really helping, caprisun, gatorade, of course water. We drink almond milk, its really good. Always drink water with each meal or snack, be sure to drink something first then eat.
I have not been able to use the bathroom naturally in a long long time.. and the medicines I were using from laxatives to stool softeners.. was only temporary and It never got everything out. I started using castor oil. I mixed it up with juice and added 4 TBSpoons. I had to deink it fast with a straw to keep the thick oil off my mouth, but by the next morning. I had great bowel movements that whole day. It does seem to make my tummy gassy before I use the bathroom. But it does help. My stool was shaped like it is supposed to be whereas laxatives make it runny. I will be trying the lemon water tho to see if it helps without the gassy part like castor oil
I am currently 22 weeks pregnant and have been suffering through constipation in this pregnancy. My first pregnancy was nothing like this. The olive oil seems to do the trick in less than 24 hours. I just have to make sure I have nothing planned for the following day. My doctor recommended laxatives, but the only ones to take while pregnant take up to 3 days. And honestly no one wants to wait that long. So now it’s just avoiding any milk products and keeping up with my olive oil routine. Thank you very much for this extremley useful information.
Thanks for your natural information ( oil an lemon)
Before reading this article I drank magnesium citrate (powder, probably 2 or 3 spoonsful),
and also a couple spoons of castor oil. Still, every sit-down, I’ve got a half-in, half-out situation.
After trying to go 3 or 4 times, skimmed through the remedies in this article.
Drank a couple handfuls of baking soda (through a straw, but it’s still the most disgusting thing I’ve ever consumed, right after vinegar).
Then I drank olive oil, straight from the bottle.
I puked immediately after swallowing.
So that got things moving, only backwards.
Now I’m eating yogurt.
Thank you so much, Claire! So many wonderful suggestions!
Having had surgery and been told not to be constipated for a year and suffering through medical treatments, I went to a Holistic nurse, just to take one magnesium Malate (400 mg) at bedtime and son of a gun —-it works!!!
Thanks Claire. Can’t wait to read mor of your suggestions on other subjects!
Good. I tried the olive oil and a cup of coffee and I was relieved in minutes. Profound gratitude.
I’ve found that using various strategies help my constipation. Mix it up from day to day and try different things. Still my mainstays are…
– Prunes
– Metamucil (although seemed to lose its effectiveness after a few weeks)
– Nuts, especially almonds
– Apricots
– Olive oil mixed with lemon or orange juice (with a pinch of salt to improve the taste)
– Eat a bowl of bran flakes before bed
– Drink lots of water throughout the day with the occasional dose of Gatorade powder
– Raw carrots
– Blueberries
– Pears
– A bit of Milk of Magnesia before bedtime (but not too much or else expect the runs the next morning)
– A daily walk
Thanks Claire it helped me a lot:)!
Cut a lime in half and put baking soda on it it works
And eat it the lime? The remedies sound brilliant, can’t wait to start. Imagine being able to do a poo every day! Or every week…
Hi …If I have high chlorestrol and just had a gall bladder surgery what do you recommend for constipation. Also I have slight blood pressure. ..which is controlled by nebi am tablet one every morning..thanks
For those who say none of these work for them, your problem is probably not constipation alone. I had a virus and that’s why none of these worked for me. Under normal circustamces I would binge on some fiber or try any one of these and hydrate and I would be as good as new in less than 48 hours. However nothing was helping, I just felt worse and I didn’t want to eat so I started eating very little, then I just went straight to smoothies because I didn’t want to eat the little that I was eating, which had no impact whatsover. I went to a doctor and my problem was my virus not the constipation itself, now I’m much better.
Found you doing a search for constipation remedies. I used organic olive oil and lemon, and am so grateful for the relief it’s given me!
This was my first experience with constipation and I believe it’s tied into a recent change in diet. Things have been tough and $ for food have been at a minimum. I’m thankful for food banks/pantries, but we’re just not accustomed to a diet lacking fresh, whole foods and organics. I walked away from processed foods, etc when I was learning to get my fibromyalgia under control.
When finance are better (soon!), I plan on stoking up on some of the things discusses throughout your pages. And then I think that I’ll start donating some healthy foods to my local food pantry.
Thanks for all of the info and wisdom you share – and for offering a newsletter!!
I happened to stumble across this thread while I was looking for natural stuff to help me after my recent bowel surgery.
I can commiserate because I have some constipation because I am so afraid to go to the loo because of the pain I am in.
Reading through everyone’s comments did remind me of the remedy my dietitian told me about years ago though…the vitamin c remedy! (No, not ‘c’ for constipation!)
You take vitamin c, powder, tablets, capsules, whatever, and just keep upping the dose until it gives you the runs, then you drop back to the dose you were taking before you got the runs, and that should keep you regular. It is safe because vitamin c is the type of vitamin that only holds the amount your body needs and any excess is excreted, so you don’t have to worry about toxicity.
Happy toileting!
Great stuff, Claire! And thanks to all who have posted comments with ideas as well. Constipation has been my nemesis since I was a teenager. I am now 56 & went on a diet recently where I have to drink 2 protein shakes each day, along with snacks during the day consisting of raw almonds. My colon basically shut down on Day 26. I began experiencing EXTREME back pain. If I went, I felt some relief, so I knew it was my colon. Saw an acupuncturist on Saturday, and she said my digestive pulse was almost non-existent! Between your suggestions (I did both the Olive oil with warm water & baking soda), & the acupuncture, I had some movement Saturday night. Ahh-mazing! While I feel tons better, I haven’t gone since. So will keep plugging away, trying to get un-plugged. Again, many thanks & good luck to all!
Oh how I can relate to your suffering! I am glad that you were able to find some relief… I hope you get everything cleared up soon!
I have tried many things natural and not and so far one of the best remedies has been eating prunes with hot coffee. Got things moving with no pain.
Or you could just eat totally vegan for a couple of days. Cutting cheese and meat out of your diet and loading it with veggies will clear that right up. Also make sure you aren’t dehydrated or starving yourself, you will stop going then too.
Baking soda taste bad but it works … u need 30 sec after drinking it.. and there u go..
Anyone suffering from constipation needs to eat a bowl of kashi cereal!! I promise it works!!
I too have had my problems with this issue. I plan on trying the lemon and also the olive oil. One thing that has worked for me without any problems is Chia Seeds, Organic and Non GMO. I soak them in the fridge in water. They almost taste like green tea? After soaking they make a gel and I eat plain or mix with yogurt or what ever sounds good at the time. The chia seeds I have are mixed colors. Love them!
My grandfather used to say that you could take any nasty tasting mixture if you first took a shot of scotch. My grandmother said she talked him into taking an additional shot after too…just to stop his complaining. Sometimes those old remedies are the best, right?
Hi All,
My 13 months old son having constipation proble from last few months .
Doctors adviced to remove milk product from his diet as it seems may has lactos intolerance.
Without calcium of milk how will grow properly.
Can any one suggest any best homeremdie that can work for my son.
He is cring while poping some times blood comes with stool as it so hard.
My son was 3 when we figured out what was the problem, apple juice is helping. Since he’s notbig on prune juice, mixed with wAter. I bought canned and jarred apricots, I’ll just cut half of one into bite size, let him eat it n some of the juice too, just like a quarter cup. We push fluids all day, applejuice, water, caprisun. Limit meat n dairy. I’ve always had stomach aches from dairy, so when I had my son, I give him canned milk. Also almond milk, great substitute, its vanilla n sweetened. He actually likes it better than regulat milk.
Thanks for all the information I recently received in this WEBSITE.
I Have suffered with chronic constipation for years due to four major BACK surgeries and too much medicine that cause constipation. It was getting so bad, laxatives were awful.
After reading your site and trying just two remedies, the oil and lemon and baking soda, and prune juice……I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON!! And it works gently on my system. So far these are winners. Looking forward to trying the tea’ s from the Health Food Store. Maybe my back will also feel better. Thank you so much for your help, I was at a loss!!
Someone suggested an enema and I tried it and it worked fast and I feel great.
A simple 2 quart warm water enema solved this problem, Thanks for your help.
90 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium and could be helped by supplementing this essential element. Take a good quality magnesium citrate. It is known as the calming mineral. It relaxes muscles including those in the rectum.
I just tried the olive oil and that was tough to get down but I did and a few hours after I tried the baking soda. That was completely horrible. Not only did it taste awful, I ended up puking my guts up. Be careful if you use the baking soda!
Magnesium citrate …Google it.. cheap like $ 12 for 2 months and works perfectly…many of these cures might help from getting constipated.. this is the real deal when your in pain …or Magnesium citrate in a bottle…at cvs or Walgreens. For a couple of bucks…Google and read reviews…hundreds of them with 5 stars
I found that the first tea spoon in water of bicarbonate soda didn’t work but did help with the burning when pee,d with a kidney infection.
When I suspecting I was getting another kidney infection I took 2 tea spoons in water an hour apart and within 20 minutes of second I had a clear bowel. After chronic constipation a considerable amount of both over the tablets and prescipted tablet nothing worked as well. It was the best and cheapest solution
I have used prunes over many years. About 6 or 7 do the trick very well. Try a few in the morning and a few at night. I found them tasty if you soak in a enough water to cover them and add small piece of cinnamon bark and a few cardamom pods. They taste lovely.
i have an idea to solve constipation. take 4 glasses of water in the morning without brush(chinesh water threphey) then do small excerice like walking or jumping, it will work in 10 min
Let me tell u the Best tip EVER take 1cup of water heat it then add 2 cardamom (elaichi in urdu) and 2pieces of cinnamon and 2 table spoons of raw greentea which is equal to 5 teabags and cook it for 5 mins I BET U it will force u to run to the washroom within few mins …i have been doing that for years and daily It tastes like hell but worth it plsss try it specially the ones who have tried everything else !!
OK so here’s my situation. I have to take citracel tablets in order to get to the point of feeling like I need to poo, however my stool is really hard(even using stool softeners) and I have to strain horribly. So because of this I am afraid to go and it gets worse. Any suggestions as to how to get stool out without straining and pain? Also have tried enemas and still had terrible time going #2. Can anything be done once the stool is in rectum to help with the hardness and straining? Thanks
Thanks for the great information Claire! The olive oil thing reminded me of how I feel when I eat the garlic butter sauce with my pizza from poppa johns. Been backed up for 3 days now so I’m going to put that to the test.
I also wanted to share for some of the others that have more chronic issues with constipation that has not been helped with other more homeopathic remedies. My daughter at the age of 18 months started having constipation issues. Followed all the doctors orders she ate a good diet. Prunes and other natural laxatives were invloved as well as medications. Nothing worked to relieve the issue. At the time. I had an excellent chiroprator/accupressure practioner that had helped me with so many issues. (Bronchitis, hemorroids, carpal tunnel) I took my daughter in with me one time (she was 2 1/2 by then) and asked if there was anything he could do. Long story short he found one of her lower vertebrae (L2 I think) was out of align and he used a simple little hand held clicker thing to move it back in to place and she has been constipation free since and she is 14 now.
Not all chiropractors are good, but if you can find a gem, they can do good things for your health!
Thanks for sharing this story! It’s amazing how our body works as a functional unit-one little thing out of whack and all sorts of problems can pop up. I am glad your daughter was able to figure out was wrong and get it fixed!
I tryed the baking soda and te oil. It was absulutley DISGUSTING. Do not try it unless you want to be gaggin and feeling nautious all day and night. I still feel really sick. And on top of that, it didn’t even help with my constipation. Complete waste.
DANGER!!!!
My daughter has suffered from constipation issues since she was 4. The doctor recommended Mirilax.(polypropalene glycol). It threw her mind and body into a terrible place. Recently the FDA changed their view on these because of the severe illnesses they cause children. My daughter developed severe tics(similar to tourettes) and Severe OCD.
LIVE YOGURTS, PRUNES, PEAR JUICE, AND PLENTY OF WATER. We will try molasses as well. Long term constipation needs to be addressed carefully since your brain chemistry(especially serotonin depend on a healthy gut) HEALTHY GUT. Be careful with salts etc. Any osmotic action slowly kills healthy bacteria.(kills single celled bacteria by removing water from them)
Love is the answer…always.
Oh well, Here goes!
I have dealt with constipation most of my life! I have had every medicine, lubricant, exercise, diet and laxative you can imagine. I spent a seriously long time hospitalized (over 100 days). constipation was very serious, however not my reason for initial hospitalization,
during that time the medical staff tried Miralax double strength, Milk of Magnesia, Fleet saline enemas, often two a day, mineral oil enemas and the regular hospital sized 2qt enemas—STILL SEVERELY CONSTIPATED! The medical staff was as stumped as my gastroenterologist, and bound up colon/bowels were. After several different x-rays, endoscopies, etc. I was visited by a C.R.N.P. specializing in gastroenterology, who was recently new at the hospital, who wanted to help. After all the laxatives and other treatments, I was still severely constipated. At this point I had already received a total of 16 enemas not to mention the medications and colonoscopy prep, I can’t tell you how much pressure I experienced.
She patiently sat and discussed the situation with me, Following the discussion she suggested what she called an old fashioned treatment. A 2 qt. milk and molasses enema series followed by a clear water wash out since I am diabetic. WELL let me tell you I would suggest this for anyone who is severely bound up. Worked unbelievably, By the time I had the rinse enema, the waste ws practically clear. I was unbelievably relieved and without pain in my abdomen. She suggested I check out milk and molasses enemas on line if I became severely constipated at home. Yes I have learned the recipe and found that this is an unbelievable home remedy.
I just took a tablespoon of Olive oil and drank two big warm glasses of water… had to go in ten minutes. It helps to lube up with some Vaseline first or else it’ll hurt if you haven’t gone in a while.
Just did the baking soda and water. It worked in less than 2 mins!! So happy. Lol. Plus I can’t go anywhere because of this blizzard
THANK YOU ALL……some of the suggestions I have tried and they didn’t work – but I know some of them have and will. This has been problem and an embarrassing one – for over 20 years. Had a doc tell me it was because I was 47 and “getting older” that I had constipation for 10 days at a time.
Went to naturopath and found I was poisoning my own body by not going.
She helped me first with large dose magnesium while she monitored me. Then changed my diet and got moving – walking that is not running.
I am now 69 – active, look 55 or less and have a wonderful lover in my life. The potty problem, however, has returned with a vengeance and think it is – eating things he eats which is a lot of junk food – and I know better. Sometimes guys and gals – we sabotage ourselves so if you find something that works – make notes and use it consistently.
Good health to all and thanks for some new suggestions.
OMG…the olive oil and lemon juice worked!! I’ve been constipated for 4 or 5 days in a row since moving oveseas, and by tonight I hadn’t had a BM since 4 days ago. I put about 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a glass with a big capful of lemon juice (I used bottled juice). I added about 2 big splashes of orange juice for taste, drank it down quickly and without a problem, and 5 minutes later, I had a bowel movement!! Hooray!! P.S. I did this at 10:30 p.m., after dinner.
I have suffered from acute constipation for over a decade. I also suffer from Sjogren’s Syndrome which is an auto immune disease that attacks the moisture within the body. So basically I have reduced moisture in my colon and digestive system as well as eyes, mouth, vagina, etc. I have very dry hands. I have had an endoscopy and colonoscopy which turned out nothing. I also had a laparoscopy to remove endometriosis that was surrounding my colon but that didn’t help the constipation either. I follow a diet high in organic vegetables, little meat, lots of fish, psyllium husks, warm lemon and or freshly grated turmeric/ginger in the morning, no dairy, avoid cold drinks, little to no dairy, bone broths and lots of filtered water.
The following helps me a lot:
A tablespoon of organic cold pressed castor oil
A heaped tablespoon of epsom salts in warm water. Dreadful but works well.
A salad dressing of organic extra virgin olive oil, organic unpasteurised apple cider vinegar, organic raw honey over cos lettuce.
Coffee enemas administered at home every few months. Bought mine from eBay!
Colonics from a professional every few months.
Freshly juiced vegetable juice first thing in the morning. Celery, carrot, beetroot, lots of ginger and a piece of fruit for sweetness.
Taking fermented cod liver oil and putting my legs in the sun for 30 mins. I was very deficient in vitamin d and that made my constipation so very bad. Cod liver oil and sun exposure helped me poo!
Eating fresh sardines.
This may not work for everyone but it has helped me.
Can I use vegetable oil?
I was constipated for more than six months .i used many laxatives it become habit for me .without laxative i have to strain a lot..then my aunty suggested me to eat guava .now i eat one guava in morning empty stomach and one in evening.and add little bit of chickpeas(chana) it helped me alot .now my bowel movement is regular.Guava and chickpeas helped me a lot
I’ve always been an average “goer,” going about twice a day, every day. However, being 7 weeks pregnant has brought the enchanting side effect of constipation in full force. After not “going” for 6 days, I was pretty miserable. Because laxatives are a big no-no for mommas-to-be, I scoured the Internet for alternative methods. Most articles explained lifestyle changes to prevent it, but I needed INSTANT relief. I finally came across this (THANK YOU!) and settled on a shot of olive oil mixed with lemon juice. I’ve never been one to make a face after taking a yucky dose of medicine or even a strong shot of something at the bar, but this about did me in. I mean, INSTANT gag reflex! I got it all down, but just barely. After a few hours (5 or 6), nothing. I went on to my next attempt: dill pickles. Lucky for me, I’m a huge fan of these, so this was no problem. I downed half a jar (about 8-9 Mt. Olive Petite Snack Crunchers) and a few sips of juice. As you can imagine, my stomach was not entirely pleased. However, within 30 minutes, I was on the toilet. RELIEF! I’m not sure if I should place all of my gratitude with the pickles or if it was a mixture of my olive oil concoction, pickles, and time, but I have never been so happy to run for the toilet in all of my life. Best of luck!
Thankful that I found this site. I am 58 years old and in the process of getting all of my teeth pulled (up to a few a year as I have no dental insurance, am unemployed and need to save up for extractions). As a result, I cannot chew anything since I have no matching chewing teeth and the ones I do have are broken and breaking. I have a Magic Bullet I use, but I understand that once you turn veggies and fruit into pulp, the fiber is gone. I was severely under weight from not being able to eat much but managed to get back to a healthy weight by doing two Carnation Breakfast Essentials a day plus cream soup, mashed potatoes and gravy or soft canned meats for dinner. I eat probably less than a ten year old child by volume and calories now. I am guessing I will never have to worry about being over weight again and in fact struggle to keep weight on.
It has been a slow progression into constipation. I have been eating Activia off and on the last few months as well as taking Benefiber powder in hot coffee every few days (I understand doing this daily is not good). Some days I go several times a day, small hard pellets and sometimes not for a few days and on the last day feel miserable. I am going to try the vanilla Activia mixed with apple sauce (had forgotten about apple sauce) and cinnamon and let you know.
I, too, would gag on the olive oil or baking soda, so I will let you know how this does for me. I have to say that few web sites address the problem of diet for “endentured” people and I know there are a lot in my age group going through what I am going through. Just most get all of the last of their teeth out and then go right to dentures. Guess I am the odd ball.
Thanks in advance if anyone has any ideas on other things I can do that are completely liquid or mush. The lemon has no effect on me whatsoever and prune juice does not sit well with my stomach.
Make a few stuffed bell peppers can get recipe online, then mash them upto fit in your magicbullet .puree it to a liquid soup .best tasting soup ever. I use to make this for my grandmother who was under my/hospice care she absolutely loved it. Hope this can be another added recipe for your type of diet. Take care and God bless.
My son had constipation and eczema, I was unable to beast feed. After my grandmother suggested goats milk because my uncle had the Same issues, my son was better in two days. Occasionally he had constipation 1 every 3 months or so but 1/4 teaspoon of organic olive oil in his warm goat milk bottle he would go within 30 minutes every time. Pls try this if nothing else works. Today he’s 3 and he’s still drinking goats milk is on a child’s probiotic and never has an issue.
I don’t have any fresh lemons and im wondering if lemon juice such as Real Lemon would work also? Thank you for any assistance in this matter. I have chronic constipation due to pain medication.
God bless you and everyone else.
Ive been unable to have a normal bowel movement since my mother died a month ago.
Last night I did two Fleets ememas with no result. I am afraid to take another one tonite as the instrudtions said not to take more that one in 24 hrs. I can not even get a rabbit pellet out and my belly is so bloated and my head feels like it is going to explode, My brother and sister have suffered this since they were teens. I just want to be able to go. Even after I had my hysterectomy, it took three days for a suppositoriy to work and it didn’t emply my colon.
This pain is all the way up to my liver and pancrease area. Any one with ideas please advise;
Very informative thank you. I spent a week in the hospital and the diet they give me must of plugged me up. Nice, page, thank you for sharing.
If you are not allergic to nuts try pine nuts they are loaded with fiber and iron. I’ve been eating this for several years now and it works great. I highly recommended.
Fantastic post! I love all of the remedies and they have each worked for me at a given point… except one: The baking soda remedy. This one concerns me since a healthy stomach is supposed to be acidic, and when it becomes too alkaline problems start to happen. For example, heartburn is actually a symptom of a stomach being too alkaline.
I especially love the remedies having to do with healthy fats which my body loves!
Lastly, to answer Brianne D’s question about lime juice… no, it is not the same as lemon. Lemon has some unique properties that make it wonderfully healthy. Lime isn’t bad, it’s just no lemon. 😉
over drinking lime juice I worry will cause diaheara
I have been going thru constipation which lead me to headaches and left me dull whole day. One of the main cause of this was the coffee intake it was almost 4 cups a day. I reduced it to 1 and tried lemon juic with warm water, that helped a lot. Also papayas are excellent in relieving the constipation.
DRINK ORANGE JUICE WITH BLACK SALT…ITS BEST FOR OUR TUMMY…
been in hospital for five days now they have been feeding me tramadol (opioids) broke my knee.. had surgery & gave upac machine with morphine + ketamine … really blocked nurses give me laxatives that only make fart lots I mean really lots…. tried kiwifruit juice and will be trying all these remedies tomorrow..
great website lots of knowledgeable advice..
I know the drugs im on give bad constipation and what makes it hard for me is im in a leg cast atm toilet is 15 ft but I cant even walk 3feet.. I need to poo
after my surgery I cant pass urine either I have a catheter currently but not much is passing..
Boil water in your kettle, then let cool to warm temp to drink (6 to 8 glasses per day) improves digestion, bowel motions and clears skin complaints (p.s you can add 1/2 squeezed lemon juice to water if you don’t like plan old water).
Also start your day (breakfast) and end your day (supper) with oats cooked in either water, skin milk, low fat milk, or full cream milk) depending on your weight, top with any of these toppings or combination of them that is to your taste or health need, any canned or stewed fruit, desiccated coconut, banana, honey, prunes, berries, melon, small amount of dried fruits or crushed/blended nuts (use a small electric coffee grinder).
Drink one glass of real freshly squeezed orange juice with every meal, full of vit c, good for memory, plus fiber.
Basically make sure you eat regular meals at set times per day (6 small) Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, plus the supper. Make sure you have fresh or cooked fruit and vegies (any green, root, leaf, or beans, lentils, nuts), as part of one of these meals.
Eating like this will keep you healthy, your weight under control, while keeping you regular. Never go on any fade diet, it isn’t necessary, just eat (small) healthy meals your whole life long.
Adding the table spoon of olive OR flaxseed oil to a good old fashion garden salad is also good, you get benefit of lots of fiber plus use apple cider vinegar, 1/2 lemon juiced, salt and pepper to taste. You can cook green beans, make into a salad using crushed garlic, tablespoon of capers (drained) and the above salad dressing.
Sorry for the long post, however forgot to mention you can add any of the healthy fiber filled toppings to natural yogurt, (which would be considered 1 meal) and the orange juice drank with main meals only like breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat at least 1 salad per day, 2 to 3 fruits (cooked or fresh), cooked vegetables, and soups made with meat, or chicken, and vegetables. One of my fav recipes is. Heat some olive oil, tsp of butter, into a large pot, over a moderate heat, fry pieces of polish sausage, 1 large died onion, 2 cloves crushed garlic, and finely chopped celery together, until they all look soft, at this point add 2 heaped table spoons of vegie powder stock, then add 2 cans of crushed tomato including juice, continue to fry, then add 1 full can of lentils, 1 full can of red beans, and 1 full can of white beans (or any beans you can buy or like), then fill and rinse each can with water (adding this to pot) next add 2 or 3 chopped carrots, and any vegie of your choice. some suggestions, green beans, zucchini, 1 chopped bell pepper, 3 large potatoes cubed, cover with a little more boiled water from kettle if you would like to add any small noodles after 30 minutes of simmering at a boil. taste and add salt or pepper to your taste buds… this is healthy hearty meal which gets the bowels working, stores well in fridge for up to 3 days, or can be frozen in freezer bags, or containers for later meals. Enjoy.
A lot of these remedies, use oil, vinegar, lemon. Salad dressing! Try eating like the Europeans, eat your salad, after your meal.
You forgot the best and most natural of all choices, Water. Constipation can be related to an inactive life-style, a low fiber diet, pain medications, ect… , but in my experience as a registered nurse constipation is most often related to a state of dehydration.
We breath off about 1 liter of water a day, urinate about 1 liter a day and though sweat, metabolism and defecation can easily loose another 1+ liters a day. The large colon’s job is to reabsorb water from the digestive tract to maintain hydration. Now if you are in state of dehydration your body conservers every drop of water it can. You then wind up with hard non-moving poo’s.
I prefer natural choices for wellness over pharmacological choices most everyday day of the week. If blood sugar’s are not at issue try 5-6 prunes, with a couple large glasses of water and a 15 minute walk. Constipation is usually resolved in 24 hours but it may take a couple days of repeating this process depending on the level of blockage. Please don’t be surprised if you have a couple unusual stools after popping the cork. Left over food products could have been sitting in your body too long and could have gone rancid hence the ‘I feel awful and need to poo feeling’.
Thanks for everyone’s input. Very helpful.
I had tried most things including over-the-counter laxatives and nothing worked, including olive oil.
I ate a can of prunes and it turned my life around. (Quickly 🙂
Potty problem is even worst for children… it happen to my kids over his hard stool. My wife been heart breaking when she see him crying due to unable to “poos”. Somehow was intro by my MIL to try Mamil Dumex. it take about 14 to make his poos back to normal.
So far after 4 month using it, so far so good!
I’ve been drinking prune juice lately, and WOW. Start slowly! I have opioid-induced constipation from Subutex that is terrible! Opiates and opioids not only stop pain signals, they stop the colon from moving! Not to mention severe addiction. I drank an 8 oz. glass of prune juice at 10:00 at night. Woke up at 5:30 AM, & had the most SEVERE diarrhea & gas for three straight hours! But even more than the prune juice, by far, the most powerful laxative I’ve EVER used is called “Essence of Vitality Herbal Roots Tonic.” It comes from the Neem tree and leaves. My GI Doc knows it well. Harder to find online, so I get it at a local Herb Shop. The thing is, don’t EVER listen to the recommended starting dosage of 8 oz. on the bottle! It will feel like you have shellfish poisoning for two weeks. 4 oz. will do just fine, if not 1 or 2 oz. at first. It pushes EVERYTHING out of you. Sometimes I wonder if it could be dangerous, because no matter how big or how hard the stool is, it will be pushed out by this stuff. The first time I drank 8 ounces of this tonic, I was SO backed up that six hours later about TEN (close to one-foot-long each), hard as a rock bowel movements showed up in the toilet…in one sitting! They were enormous, as this tonic gets ALL of it. But then once it cleans you out, it makes everything go right through you for a few days. Please start with 2-4 oz. The guy who owns the Herb Shop said that a 500-lb. man came in and bought it. He came back the next week and said he filled his commode to the top every day for a week!!! I know, gross, but hey, it works. My boyfriend tried it and he couldn’t stop laughing. He said he thought he saw the first carrot his mother ever fed him, and the piece of gum he swallowed in the fourth grade, LMAO!!!
The epsom salt remedy helped me out a ton. It’s similar to the colon cleanse products that are on the market. You must be close to a toilet for the first 24 hours, it also works within an hour of consuming it. One other thing i noticed that it takes away some belly fat, depending on a person’s body.
Been reading all the comments and different cures for constipation and find them fascinating! I’ve had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) with constipation (some have it with diarrhea) for years and have always struggled with constipation, cramps, and bloating. About a year and a half ago I started taking probiotics and eating a lot of yogurt and the cramps and bloating have decreased remarkably! It’s helped with my constipation as well, but I would say to everyone here to add WATER to your regime. Water helps with everything. Along with all the other natural things mentioned here, watermelon is a good diuretic AND a good laxative because it too is full of water. And it tastes good!