[YEA]  03/11/2008: Erynn from New Haven, Connecticut: "Sea Salt cure for Constipation. Works like a charm! Although I've tried this two ways. I've use epsom salt as well...but it is quite gross and you may throw up, so sea salt is much easier on the taste buds. It could take anywhere from 10mins to 2 hours. If its not working, try drinking more water...the salt is dehydrating your system!! This is probably the most comfortable way than taking a laxative. I tend to get cramping from everything else, ie sienna tea. sea salt is the way to go!"

09/18/2008: Nina from Oslo, Norway replies: "Dear Jeanne, sorry to hear about the trip to the ER. I'm not very familiar with the remedies on this webpage, so I'm not trying to promote anything, but it is possible that IF you had to go to the ER, your constipation was already quiet serious. I've never heard of anyone ever do that before, so it's not really that strange that these natural remedies didn't work for you."

03/10/2009: Veronica from San Antonio, Texas replies: "My daughter has been in the hospital for intestinal impaction (she has a genetic disorder that predisposes her to it) so I have some experience with this. If you had to go to the hospital for impaction then you were way beyond natural remedies or over the counter medicines. My daughter was in the hospital for 3 days w/an IV, on a liquid diet, given enemas and stool softeners."

03/11/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hello Jeanne, Sorry you are having trouble, but in case you do return to read EC again, the best way to handle constipation is with diet. Your body can't do it's work, unless you feed it what it needs to do it. When it comes to constipation think of 3 things, fiber, water and exercise. It needs all three. The first change to make in your diet is to start eating whole grain breads and cereals. Next increase fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, high fiber foods like celery, brocolli, etc. The body also needs plenty of good water to function normally also. I recall the patient who came in with a fecal impaction composed of popcorn husks. I'd lay odds that most of that popcorn was eaten while being a couch potato in front of the TV and he probably only drank 4 or 5 cups of coffee a day.

Some foods are better than others for prompting our intestines to work. Plums (or the dried version called prunes & prune juice), grapes and apples. Apple juice works great for me when needed. I love spinach salads but found they also delivered a laxative effect.

Asking your intestines to work normally on a junk food diet is like asking yourself to catch and hold onto a greased pig."

03/11/2009: MAG from Flat Rock, NC replies: "Joyce, regarding the constipation the person had no luck with the sea salt, remember that constipation seems to be on of the telltale symptoms that those with gluten sensitivity/celiac have. I had a LOT of "aha moments" when reading the associated disorders with celiac on celiac.com. MAG"

03/11/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "hahaha! all remedies will not work for all people.

like the other poster said - doing one remedy once will not make up for a life time of bad habits."

03/12/2009: Courtney from Atlanta, Georgia replies: "how rude, if you did your research, you would have known that not every single person will benefit from these treatments and such. this site is amazing and has helped soo many people."

03/12/2009: Linda from York County, Maine replies: "Jeanne from WPB, FL...gosh, you're really yelling....did you ever think that it probably took longer than a day to get into the condition you were in and that it just might take more than a day to get yourself better from the condition you were in?

What is it with people who need to bash the ideas on Earth Clinic? "Rude" is putting it mildly. I've said it before, I'll say it again: Take what you need and leave the rest. The remedies won't work for all of the people all of the time unless we're all the same, and thank goodness we aren't.....thank goodness for angry people like you, Jeanne, who help me realize that I'm in a pretty good space these days!!

(Of course, Jeanne won't be reading any replies because this site is no longer bookmarked on her computer.... bummer for Her)"

03/13/2009: Tricia from New York, New York replies: "Had you tried the sea salt cleanse you would have been evacuating non stop for two hours. please keep your lies to yourself. your post attenuates big pharma. thank you for deleting this website. ec is the best free complimentary website on the net. the number of people using the remedies are staggering. spreading the word for natural remedies is actually cutting into the profits of big pharma and the a.m.a. educating instead of medicating."

04/18/2009: Shay from Gary, Indiana replies: "Sorry for your trip to the ER but it seems like you r blaming this site-your problem sounds like it was beyond regular repair-your negative comments will not stop others from reading this site, your loss!"

[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS]  08/16/2012: Roger from Colorado Springs, Colorado replies: "It was a definite "yea" for me. However, I didn't start running to the toilet until shortly after 2 hours. Nothing happened from zero hour to 1 hour. From 1 hour to 2 hour I slept. I was awakened by pain at 2 hour. It hurt. Then I was using the toilet quite frequently for more than an hour.

I drank 3 pints (or 6 cups or 1.5 quarts) with 2 tablespoons full of sea salt dissolved it in. I am sort of big (200 lbs), and I tend to be able to handle anything. When other people are peeing purple from drinking beet juice, I get nothing. So I figured that I should take a little more than everyone else.

The idea that the sea salt cleanse kills off all microbes is nonsense. I grow lactobacillium in a salt and veggie solution, so I know that the sea salt cleanse is not going to kill off lactobacillus.

I can't say that I really enjoyed myself. It did hurt."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  08/17/2012: Roger from Colorado Springs, Colorado replies: "I have had one sleep since the above sea salt cleanse. I have to say that it was pretty bad. Three and one half hours of sleep and then 4 hours of wakefulness, then some more sleep. My shoulders also hurt such that I had to sleep on my back. I don't know if it is just my age (66) or me. But I don't think too much of this healing technique given that there is another one, enemas, which do just about as much, at least as good, without ANY side FXs. And the whole issue of too much salt just won't go away in my mind. Generally I am not a big scaredy cat when it come to salt (or fat or germs), but that was a lot of salt, and it adversely affected me. I hope that the effect has gone away by the time that I go to sleep tonight. Who knows what other problems it may have caused."

08/18/2012: Linda from New Haven, Ct, United States replies: "@ Roger I read that you mentioned you were a big guy and so you decided to increase the amount of salt you used for your cleanse. Krystal stated she used 2 teaspoons in her cleanse. You said you used 2 Tablespoons! That is three times what she used. I also read that you weigh 200 pounds. Did you really think Krystal was 1/3 your weight (66 pounds) when you decided to take 2 Tablespoons of salt?

Always start with the dosages stated in the earth clinic posts. Don't assume without first trying the stated dose that you will need more due to your size. If the initial strength doesn't work for you, increase it just a little. Don't ever rack up the dosage on any home remedy by such a great amount.

Home cures are meant to be gentle on the system when taken properly. Anything can be harmful if vastly overdone. Take it slow next time and be careful! Hope your system returns to normal soon. Try eating some bananas or potatoes which contain potassium. The potassium helps to rid your body of excess sodium.

Best of luck to you. Linda"

[YEA]  06/01/2008: Jay from Altoona, Florida: "After many years of struggling with chronic constipation the answer finally appeared from the ocean. Each evening before retiring I mix a (TBS)Tablespoon of powdered kelp and dulse flakes into 4+ounces of cold water and drink. I no longer get colds, acid reflux, or fever blisters. I get my seaweed from: http://www.seaveg.com/products.php and buy in bulk form.These folks are honest and provide a high quality product along with advice and information on the benefits of each of the different types of seaweed."

[YEA]  03/30/2010: Rosemaryandsage from Ashland, Wi replies: "Yes, seaweed definitely works. Eating it during the day not only helps me have a daily bowel movement, but also helps with the bloating and uncomfortable fullness. A tablespoonful before bed works well in helping me have a bowel movement in the morning. Especially if I have it in a warm cup of miso broth. It's all the minerals and enzymes, I'm sure."

[YEA]  11/19/2006: Carol from Cumberland, MD: "The first time my sister was pregnant she tried every product she could find for constipation. During her second pregnancy I suggested she drink seltzer water. I had read about it in a magazine. I also had cravings for seltzer water during my last 2 pregnancies and never had any problems with constipation. She told me she didn't like the taste and couldn't drink it. A few weeks later she let slip she was mixing it with juice and was actually regular for once."

[YEA]  08/21/2011: Doddie from Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA: "You can get an herbal laxative tea from your health food store. One is called Smooth Move. Never let yourself go over 2 days without eliminating. This tea sometimes has a residual effect. Take it the last thing at night if you have not had a movement. Drink something hot the next morning. This is not harsh but you will be going quite a bit the first time- try to stay close to home, this works!! I have made many friends from sharing this information! (This stuff sells itself!!)

otherwise; a friend gave me this recipe:

Senna leaves ground into a powder to make 1/2 c. , 1 c. Dried prunes, 1c. Figs or dates, 1c raisins and applesauce. 1/2 water in a pan and stew prunes, figs, raisins. Put in a processor or blender, blend. Add a little applesauce at a time until you get the correct consistency (kind of thick like applebutter); add senna leaves, blend a little more until all ingredients are throughly mixed. Put in a container in refrigerator or freezer. This will not freeze although it will extent its shelf life. I put some in a baby food size glass jar for the refrigerator and flatten it in a baggy for the freezer. Take on the average of 1 heaping tablespoon per day, cut back if need be... Drink plenty of water. Do not abuse this recipe, take only when needed. All of this is food and so it should not make you laxative dependent. I am also a hemorrhoid expert in case anyone is interested!!"

[YEA]  03/31/2009: Brittany from Vegas, Nevada: "Constipation cured by Body Position while having a bm

You were not meant to have a bowel movement while sitting down on a toilet. We were meant to have one while squatting. You can achieve a better position if you bring your head down to your knees while on the toilet. It also may help if you have a stool to put your feet on. You will notice that your bm's are bigger, longer, and come out more easily."

12/25/2010: Ch from Scarborough, Ontario replies: "That causes hemmorhoids - I think you should sit up straight."

[YEA]  04/28/2011: Roane from Los Angeles, Ca: "Maybe you should try upon rising drinking a glass of water with probiotics and one half lemon or line. Next prepare the morning flex drink:

TRIPHALA-prevents aging, imparts immunity and improves mental faculties. It helps to detoxify the liver, restore digestion and purify blood. It is also a laxative that rejuvenates the membrane lining the digestive tract and contributes to effective cleansing of the colon.

PSYLLIUM HUSK: Is a Fiber Psyllium appears to increase stool mass more effectively than do other common laxative fibre sources"

[YEA]  06/27/2010: Wfc from Hb, Ca replies: "My GF was very constipated and I bought her a bottle of Triphala. It worked right away and as long as she takes 4 caps a day, 2 in the AM and 2 before bed."

10/04/2010: Vetta from Northeast, Usa replies: "I have had very good luck with Triphala to normalize bowels. I take 3 capsules every night before retiring and it keeps me regular without the cramps, gas, etc. from laxatives. No fear about leaving the house the next day!"

[YEA]  02/28/2011: Jennifer from Sunrise, Florida replies: "I've had terrible constipation since I was young... I would have a bowel movement maybe every 2 weeks. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago, which made the problem much worse. Typical remedies like laxatives, prunes, and fiber have absolutely no effect on me. Triphala has been a miracle for me. It's not a laxative, but it encourages regular bowel movements because it acts like a tonic for your colon and digestive system. It's extremely gentle but very powerful. I have a bowel movement almost every day, without any pain or discomfort. It completely regulates my digestive system and makes me feel great. As an added bonus, it has a ton of antioxidants, which is great for your body! I use a very good-quality brand, because some lower quality brands have little to no effect on me. Look for brands that have guaranteed potency."

03/01/2011: Lily from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia replies: "Hi Jennifer, I always found fibre to be very unhelpful for constipation, as soon as I started taking magnesium which I was difficient in, the constipation went away. Vitamin c in high doses will help also. Lily."

09/02/2011: Nat from Brooklyn, Ny: "In the mixture of gums and vitamin C powder a pinch or a few pinches of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) must also be added. One can try using more whether it is beneficial.

Also for some reason some companies' Magnesium Citrate work better than others. The one that works better (Solgar's - we have no connection with the company) has also Microcrystalline Cellulose, Celulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide and Vegetable Glycerin among its ingredients.

The Potasium Magneseium Aspartate is not necessary.

Magnesium Malate is even more recommended than Magnesium Citrate. Maybe taking both is also a suggestion."

[YEA]  04/24/2006: Minni from NYC: "Chocolate, but to be more specific - Lubricated WARMED foods containing sweetened chocolate. Also - yogurt in combo with sweetened chocolate containing food."

[YEA]  01/25/2013: Anon from Anon: "Hi, make sure you drink lots of water with meals and in-between. Take a large dose of vitamin c powder in water with bicarbonate of soda- this always works very well."