Home Remedies for Constipation

I've had a terrible time with constipation. A friend suggested to use a 7” toilet stool. I was amazed at how fast it worked for elimination. Proper posture is the key.

It also helps to take a single 200mg magnesium citrate gummy last thing at night and use the toilet stool in the morning. I also make sure I walk at least 30 minutes a day. I drink plenty of liquids like water, tea, and coffee.

Metamucil powder 1x a day in 12 oz. of water, stirred well, also helps me. If I decide not to take the magnesium gummy, I fix the Metamucil in the morning to drink.

Good Luck.

I found that spot and I had instant relief from the pain of constipation as well as bloating. I think the two pressure points from the crease of elbow which is easy to find is all you need to massage and it stops pain.

Beth and Diane, agree the M&M enema is very effective. It works fast. So once administered have the one who received it close to toilet. Once the solution has cooled the molasses will thicken. So best not to administer with the enema bag. Use the rubber enema bulb. A way to keep the solution warm while taking to where it will be given is to fill the bulb syringe full. Then place it sitting in a pan or large bowl of warm water. Make sure the syringe doesn't tip over. Have everything ready. Have towel on the bed or table. Jar of Vaseline out. Once the full bulb is given have him relax for a minute or so. The take to expel the enema. I administered a cleansing enema about a hour after the [email protected] enema was given. Best to consult with holistic doctor before giving an enema.

Can you explain more. What area on the left arm did you massage? Thank you!

I have been eating walnuts for the past few months. I have discovered a cure for my constipation. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have seen the Dr.I have taken so much advice from friends on organic juices, this and that. But I love walnuts and bought a bag in bulk at Sams Club. I work from my car so I literally eat handfuls of them. I am cured of constipation. But I also find if you eat too many in one day, you will almost live on the toilet.

I have read that rice contains a lot of arsenic. I find it alarming because it is in so much dog food.

Castor oil has been around for a very long time but use with caution and do not overuse. Castor beans and the leaves are very toxic and poisonous to animals.

I have recently started drinking a tea...for lack of a better word, of boiling water and bay leaves with lemon juice, I keep it on warm all day in a teapot and sip it all day, I was doing it as an immune boost and wonders never cease. It has relieved my chronic lazy bowel and I now have perfect BMs.

Hi Nat,

I'm using 1/2-1 tsp baking soda every morning on an empty stomach and wait about an hour before eating. Now, after a lifetime of constipation, I finally have quick relief... Baking soda doesn't raise blood pressure as some believe and it's ok to take every day, in fact, it's beneficial to do so!

Cream of Tartar helps against constipation. Taking a small amount, about a third or a half teaspoon together with a small amount, about a half teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia, might be enough to help. Since taking magnesium as a laxative regularly, will eventually stop working and even make the original problem worse, it is recommended that the Milk of Magnesia should only be used not more than around once a week. Whether the same applies to Cream of Tartar is not known.

In any case, taking even a teaspoon of Cream of Tartar every day seems to cause weight gain for some people. And taking large amounts can cause heart issues. This is because of Cream of Tartar's high potassium content. (It is reported that someone who took several tablespoons to help constipation ended up in the hospital.)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570668/

In the above mentioned link, Cream of Tartar is also mentioned as being used in a suppository combined with Bicarbonate of Soda and polyethylene glycol.

Senna leaves tea for immediate relief from constipation. It is so strong that if you overdose on it, it could turn constipation into diarhhea. Here, in the Philippines senna tea is available from pharmacies and supermarkets (brands: kankunis, biguerlai).

Hi Nat...I take senna leaf tea every once and a while, been doing that for many years. For me, if I drink senna tea in the evening then I will definitely have a substantial poop the next morning. My poop urgency isn't that huge and the poop itself comes out soft and quick but not explosively.

On the other hand when my wife drinks the senna tea then she will have a stronger poop urgency then me (yup, she runs to the toilet! ) and will have between 3 to 5 poops the next morning and they can be rather explosive. So my wife is quite sensitive to senna's effects in the intestines, whereas I seem to have few problems using the senna tea. Horses for courses, I guess.

I've also read that you must never take senna everyday because doing so will harm the liver. But once in a while is OK. I also like using senna because -- from all the research -- it also kills a wide variety of bad bacteria and parasites in the intestines.

I must also disagree with what you said about magnesium supplements in general in this thread. I've been taking magnesium chloride -- at a higher dosage -- twice a day for about 15 yrs. I also use mag chloride combined with DMSO for tired or aching muscles and I can confirm that it works a treat!

Ted is also quite correct when he says that we eat far too much calcium in our supermarket diets. All the grains, bread, corn flakes, sports drinks etc that you buy in the supermarket are all over-fortified with too much calcium and no magnesium. That's why I take magnesium chloride regularly, which helps to balance and regulate any excess calcium in the body.

And for sure you better be very careful what you are led to believe about RDA dosages from the FDA. About 50 years ago the advised dosage for magnesium supplements was only about 200 mgs per day. The RDA dosage that the FDA now recommend is between 350 mgs and 420 mgs per day, which I think is still way too low -- it's just a clueless guessing game for the FDA because they really don't give a single hoot about proper mineral nutrition for the body. That's also why, on some days, I take much higher dosages of magnesium. And if you take too much magnesium the worst that can happen to you is that you get loose stools or diarrhea. And the intestines and kidneys will always act to self regulate proper electrolyte levels(including magnesium) in the blood.

I'm 72 y.o. and I've been taking high dose magnesium chloride(and Borax) regularly for about 15 years. And that's probably why I have no arthritis, rheumatism or any other aches and pains in my body right now. And there are more than a few days when my combined magnesium intake is probably above 1000mgs per day. That gives me soft stools with no other noticeable side-effects. But I'm not you. So it's like I said, horses for courses. That means that you should always find the best dose for yourself. Call it your own, personalized, orthomolecular dose if you like...that's the way to do it because your body always knows best.

Update:

It didn't work out. Maybe the raw yeast might help some people but be harmful to other people, even increasing constipation.

Those who try it should probably try using very small amounts and see what it does to their system.

Senna leaf is only for very short-term use, or for use from time to time.

To a lesser extent, the same applies to Magnesium Citrate and other supplements that have a stimulant action on the body.

When people use senna leaf over a long period of time, they will keep needing more and more of it. And then it will stop working. (This could take even a year. First, they won't notice how they keep needing more and more of it. and then they will suddenly notice that it is no longer effective.) And when they stop using it, their constipation will be worse than ever. For natural peristaltic action will no longer work. The same thing happens with long-term use of magnesium citrate and other supplements that have a stimulant action on the body.

If anyone needs more help finding the area, the acupressure point is called 'Large Intestine 11' or 'LI 11'. Do a search for either of those terms and you can find images and/or videos showing where it is located.

A Cayce remedy suggested for some was yeast (Fleishman's was mentioned to be taken in warm milk once a day to start eliminations and for another once a day with meals) as was Squibb's yeast tablet (for several days after each meal and then leave off). Mention was made - that it be for occasional use and not to become dependent on it.

Miso for constipation

Miso (white miso is easier to take) a half teaspoon mixed into hot or boiling water helps for improving peristaltic action.

It's amazing that women give birth laying down on their back. That is quite ridiculous and I think a legacy of male doctors who didn't know any better. Delivering on your feet in a vertical position allows the baby's weight to push on the pelvis and this makes the bones soften to allow the baby to glide through the birth canal. The bone goes back to hard after the birth. All that straining lying down to deliver is unnecessarily painful. I wish women would stop laying down to give birth, it just adds so much strain for nothing. It also causes more trauma to the birthing baby.

High-content Cocoa chocolate alleviates Bowel and Constipation problems.

A friend of mine, who has had bowel and constipation problems for years, has started taking just ONE square of high-content Cocoa chocolate (72% Cocoa content) per day with her morning coffee and has experienced remarkable relief in just two to three weeks.

No palm oil in this particular brand either and it is made from Ghana cocoa with the chocolate being manufactured in New Zealand.

This is quite exciting news.

Cheers from Down Under

Karen, I also haven't heard of the milk and molasses enema in years.

I remember it being given a few times growing up in the late 50s.

It was given for the constipated child and even grownups.

It was (is) very effective. For some caused cramps. Few things to be aware of:

-it works very fast! Have the patient receiving the milk and molasses enema close to a toilet.

-be ready to administer this enema as soon as the mixture is ready to give. Once away from heat, either on the stove or in a pan of warm water, the mixture will harden up.

-best not to use the enema bag for this enema. Best to use a enema bulb syringe.

-clean the syringe in warm soapy water as soon as the enema is given. Rinse few times with warm to hot water. Air day few days.

How you told of him getting a milk and molasses enema reminded me of how it was given in our home and other homes.

How about just drinking prune juice as needed or eating stewed prunes (I love it with heavy cream). Worked for me whenever I needed it over the years.

I am a researcher. Epsom salts for constipation. Simply the best curement. Ask Epsom Salts for human consumption AND NEVER BUY EPSOM SALTS THAT IS NOT MADE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. Two to three times a week one tablespoon per day, will work excellently. Do not take 7 days per week, since we do not know yet the long term effects on the body.

Omg I haven't heard “milk and molasses “ enema in years.

I recently asked my neighbor if it was still given. To my surprise she told me in some places still given.

She told “it is a very effective enema for constipation. Especially for the child. Given a few to boys toddler age.”

The only time I knew this enema was given was when staying with my girlfriend. Her little toddler brother was constipated. We are 6 years older than him.

Poor baby. Her mom kept telling him he was going to get an enema if he didn't go soon.

Then saw his mom mixing milk and molasses in a pan on the stove. Heating it slowly. I saw the red rubber enema bulb syringe sitting out on the table. She had placed a towel on the table. With jar of Vaseline.

I knew he was going to get a enema!
she removed the pan from the stovetop. And went and got him.

Held his hand while walking him to the kitchen.

Yes, I was, and still am, curious about enemas. Slap me.

She closed the kitchen door as I heard her telling him he was going to get an enema and no fussing going on.

poor baby I knew what he was going to get.

my girlfriend told me he was going to get an enema!

I asked my girlfriend about the milk and molasses I saw out.

my girlfriend told me her mom gave a milk and molasses enema.

she got a milk and molasses enema from her mom once or twice.

She told me it worked fast and she had to immediately go potty. Her tummy hurt some from it.

That was the first time I heard of a M&M enema!

few minutes after taking him to the table, her mom was taking him to the potty.
omg did he go! Finally went!

Being nosey, I saw the enema bulb floating in the sink. Floating in pan of warm soapy water.

my girlfriend told me it has to be cleaned in warm water so the molasses didn't get hard.

her mom cleaned the bulb a few times in warm soapy water, rinsed in warm water.

she put the bulb in the opened kitchen window. To air out

I was curious how it worked. Later read it worked fast and caused cramps.

Yes, best to find out why he is constipated in the first place. Could be many reasons. Not enough water or exercise. Poor diet or eating habits. With holding poo is common in some. Especially in boys at toddler age.

Best to have a good holistic provider and work with him/her when needed. If in doubt call and discuss with doctor.

Agree, the enema is a very good, and effective, home healing tool to have in the home and used often.

Not medical advice. Consult with your doctor beforehand.

Every mother should have a rubber enema bulb syringe in the home. And for the older ones, a enema bag. Best to have both in the home.

It is important to know how and when to administer the enema. Best to talk about the enema with him before he needs to be given one. Show the syringe and let him know it is for healing and health.

Does not hurt and will make him feel better after getting it.

Talk with your doctor about how to give one. The old home nursing books are great for having instructions for preparing and giving the enema.

It is a good idea to give him an enema before he is sick or constipated. Taking time to prepare and give it now makes it easier later on.

Giving him “the practice enema”will build your confidence. And he will know what it is like. That way he will already know what it is and how it feels to get it. Nothing is worse than telling a grouchy child when he is not feeling well he is going to be given his first ever enema!

omg glad you told of the soapy water enema!

I will write more when I have some time.

Diane, pray your relative is better now and totally recovered. Glad it worked and helped.

omg I haven't heard of the milk and molasses enema in years! Yes, very effective to relieve constipation. Yes, does work very fast. The only downside to the milk and molasses enema is it can cause cramping. The one who was given it will want to expel it almost as soon as he gets it. Like in about one minute or so has to go.

My experience with this enema is limited. I was given one and I gave one.
A neighbor and I were talking healing and remedies. We talked about most anything.

She was a nurse. When she told me of this enema I thought she was joking. I asked her to teach me and give me one. So I could learn it if I ever had to give one. We decided on the next morning for me to get it.

In case others want to administer this enema here is how we prepared and did it….may have forgotten something..if so sorry..been awhile.

She prepared the bed first. Removed all linen. Then put plastic sheet on bed. Then towel on top.

She had me disrobe and put a robe on. Explaining when it is prepared it must be given before it cools too much. So I had to be stripped and ready for it.
It was interesting watching her gather the needed items.

Enema bulb, Vaseline, towel to lay on, two pans — explain later. Of course milk and molasses. She told me the day before to buy some.

She put some water in one of the pans. About half gallon. And slowly heated it. This was to keep the enema warm while she carried it to the room where patient was getting it.

Then prepared to solution. Mixing half milk and half molasses. About a pint of each. Smelt good lol.

Telling best to first warm the milk then add the molasses. Heat the mixture very slowly! Till warm. Stirring often. Once prepared she filled the 8 oz syringe full of the solution. Then sat the filled enema syringe up right in the pan of warm water. This keeps the solution warm when carrying it to the patient's room or treatment room.

I wondered what I had asked for!

Once we got to the bedroom got on the bed. Told to get into the knee-to-chest position on the bed. That is on knees. Head on the bed. Bent at waist.

She put the Vaseline on the nozzle. Then moved it in. Told to take a deep breath and relax.

I had enemas before but not one like this one.

The milk and molasses felt soothing and warm going in. I thought that wasn't bad after all. She gave it slowly.

In about less than a minute after getting the full syringe I had a urge to go. A bad urge to go. Went to the bathroom and immediately expelled. Omg a fast and total clean out! Some minor cramping.

She told me some patients had bad cramps from the M&M enema.

I thanked her. She showed me how to clean the syringe. Using warm soapy water in the kitchen sink. Rinsed a few times with plain warm water. So the molasses didn't harden in the syringe. Air dry it for a few days.

also, After giving the enema put the empty bulb in the pan of warm water. It will float in the water.

That prevents the molasses from Harding up. Which makes clean it harder.

She told me not to use the enema bag for it.

It is very effective and works immediately! Get ready to expel fast and all. A clean out!

Years later my 9 yo b was constipated. The doctor asked me if I knew of the M&M enema.

When we got home he was given one. Like me had to immediately expel. But cleaned out good.

Constipation is immediately gone!

check with your doctor before giving an enema.

For several days in a row, eating a diet of mostly, or only, baked apples can help for cleansing the body and for relieving constipation.

The apples should be eaten with the peel. (Before baking, they can be scrubbed a bit with a food wash or even dish soap, and then rinsed well, to lessen preservatives on the peel, since the peel should be eaten.) The apples, Cortland cooking apples, can be baked with olive oil drizzled onto the apples and also some spices such as nutmeg and a bit of cinnamon, but without added sugar. Since cinnamon can be constipating for some people only a pinch or so should be added per apple.

The apples can be baked at around 425 degrees Fahrenheit, for about an hour and a half or more. If the apples are baked until the inside starts to caramelize and turn brown, the apples will be sweet even though no sugar was added. (Even regular apple sauce can be simmered very slowly for several hours without added water or sugar. If the apples are good quality cooking apples, such as Cortland apples, the applesauce will be sweet.)

In the writings of the psychic, Edgar Cayce, we find reference to an apple diet. That is, eating only apples for three days, prepared any which way, after which one is to sip a quarter of a half cup of (hot) olive oil for body cleansing.

For many people, the Cayce apple diet is a hard program to follow.

A modified, mostly apple diet is easy to follow and satisfying. While such a program may not be as effective as a total apple diet, it is easy to try out.

One should start eating the baked apples in the morning and if in the evening one feels the need for other food one can eat a small amount of light food such as a few spoonful's of small curd cottage cheese and maybe some hot water with blackstrap molasses with some spices, and a bit of milk (a small amount, such as an eighth or a quarter teaspoon, of salt, added to the molasses drink makes it taste better), or one can drink a tea with some honey in it. Throughout the day, if one feels the need, one can also drink molasses with hot water, or coffee, or tea.

I have found that one big bowl of buttery popcorn (w/salt & vinegar shaker seasoning, ! ), and a big bottle of water at night works every single time the next day. Happy munching!

It was mentioned somewhere that taking a little (maybe a teaspoon or a bit more) of baking soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) in about an ounce of water (others recommend in a little lemon juice) on an empty stomach, and not eating for a short while after, helps for emptying the bowels.

The baking soda/water remedy should probably not be used regularly, but rather only on an occasional basis.

It is important, generally, to wait for some urge to go before using a laxative or suppository, in order to prevent the natural urge, a vital body function, from disappearing.

Hi Andrea, I have been focusing on his diet and have found I am getting constipated when I have not in fifteen years. I don't eat raw eggs and have not been able to find raw milk but have been taking the most organic kefir I can find. Doing meats more which used to be a rarity - only grass fed and I have been veggies in beef bone broth - I have taken raw cheese which I normally don't take .. what in this diet gives you the regularity with your stool?

I am going to have to do something tomorrow bc I know it is not healthy to not have at least one bowel movement a day. Or that is what feels best for me.

Thanks!

The best thing for constipation is flaxseed. I tried otc drugs, supplements, magnesium, nothing worked. One teaspoon of flax seed ground works put in coffee or tea or Sprinkle on food.

An overdose of cranberry juice will clean your pipes out. I found that out the hard way after I drank a gallon of it during the course of a day.

Have been making /drinking-- heavily iced smoothies for over a year.

In Florida--it's hot here even in January!

Don't like "hot "drinks, but --- bet the smoothies are what makes me tired and arms tingle at times - sleepy in the daytime n grouchy too! Not an April fool's -joke!!.

Bet my veins are sludge --omg what an eyeopener --never thought too much cold could clog you up like that!!

I did not really Susan's post about acupressure on the arm from 2008 would work for me, but decided to give it a try. When I first pressed on the spot on my left arm, I could feel something in my stomach area. That was encouraging and so I kept switching back and forth for a bit. I still did not think it would actually work. However, within about 10 to 15 minutes from starting, I had the result I was looking for! I highly doubt this was by chance. To be fair, I did lightly massage my abdomen just below my belly button once. However, I really think it was the points on the arms described by Susan. I also was not sure I had the spots right and just kept rubbing in the general area, trying to cover enough ground to get it to work. I guess you don't have to be perfect. Thank you Susan and earthclinic!

I've been eating 2 or so slices of pickled ginger a day the last few days and have had constipation disappear. I can't say for sure that ginger is the cause, but maybe.