The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver) on 08/31/2019
★★★★☆
I've spent a lot of years taking various things for constipation but recently found a video that describes what not to take; in other words things to eliminate from your diet. The author of the video said to eliminate grains, eggs and dairy and to start the day with a cup of warm lemon water. I tried this and it worked within 24 hrs. Basically I cut out bread and eggs but still had a bit of butter on my cooked veggies. I have since found that I can tolerate one or two eggs and bread slices per day. For dinner I have beef, pork or chicken with vegetables and fresh fruit for dessert. This has largely eliminated any constipation issues. I find it interesting that the solution was so simple.
Celery Ginger Juice
Posted by Lisa (Raleigh ) on 01/26/2017
★★★★★
Celery juice for constipation.
I'm always constipated and I have tried everything - prunes, ACV, miralax, and beyond. I have hard time pooping. Literally.
Then, I stumbled on celery juice with ginger.
Who knew?
Works like a champ.
Castor Oil
Posted by Jay (Orlando, Florida) on 08/01/2013
★★★★★
For constipation, I finally found relief by taking a spoon full of cold-pressed castor oil in the mornings along with my cup of tea. I now only need to take the oil about once a week or less.
I started with a strong cleanse (4 tablespoons) initially using the castor oil and gradually reduced the amount over time. Warning stay close to your commode!!!!!
The oil I use is 100% certified organic cold pressed Castor oil.
Raw Rice
Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 02/04/2013
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I should warn regarding this. Rice is my staple food. And I come from ethnic background where rice is cultivated vastly and it is the staple diet from morning to evening.
You should not eat raw rice. It will cause Anemia. This what my mother and grand parents will say when we try to eat raw rice in the childhood. We will boil rice until it is cooked and mix it with sambar, rasam, saarus, curd or curries and eat it. The boiled rice is called Anna, Annam, Soru, Saadham in different South Indian Languages.
I will tell another fact: In our farms we don't give raw rice particularly parboiled rice to goat or sheep. If you feed your goat with at least 1 pound of parboiled raw rice and give water to drink. The goat will die the next day, The died goat will have bloated stomach.
Try anything, but with some reference.
Good Health
Water
Posted by Shelley (Mississauga, Canada) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★
re: Water and Carrots first thing in the morning.
Hello, constipation is not fun and there are many natural cures that work. I wanted to add another natural remedy because it works and its so simple. 1) Water; the body needs water. Usually when people wake up, they have coffee or some type of diuretic [cafefine], which is horrible if you have constipation. Drinking 1 glass of water as soon as you wake up is what our body yearns for. Drinking 1 glass of water (at room temperature)in the morning cured my constipation within 1 week. Of course during the day, you should drink more water, but first thing in the morning is the crucial step. 2) Carrots; not only are carrots delicious, they save our eyesight, protect our hearts, combats cancer, promotes weight loss, AND PREVENTS CONSTIPATION. I do not have constipation anymore, I hope this can help someone else. God Bless.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Grace (London, Uk) on 11/16/2012
★★★★★
Thank you for posting this! This remedy works well. I just took 1 tsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp olive oil on an empty stomach and had some immediate relief! I shall persist with this. I had tried a fiber plus probiotics and prebiotics supplement, senna tea and aloe vera, all of which probably did no harm but I saw no results. Lemon and olive oil works a treat!
Flaxseed
Posted by Nancy (Albemarle, NC) on 08/25/2021
★★★★★
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.
Coconut
Posted by Rw (Southwest Virginia) on 12/13/2017
★★★★★
I'm on a low carb diet to keep blood sugar down and I make this concoction when I want something sweet. I discovered it cured constipation--I think it's the coconut that does it. I take about a Tablespoon of natural peanut butter (the kind that's runny), mix 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut, some stevia, and add a few chopped pecans (optional). You have to smush it with a spoon and it's like a cross between sort of a granola and fudge--sort of. Well when you're not allowed sweets you lower your standards.
Chia Seeds
Posted by Deb (Lebanon, Oregon) on 12/04/2014
Having grown up with chronic constipation (a small amount once a month) I have been trying to remedy it for the past 20 years (I'm now 57). I've tried all the recommendations. A number of years ago I discovered powdered magnesium and I kept increasing the amount until I had results. Two tablespoons would keep me regular. Concerned about taking this much I kept searching but always would default back. Then I found chia seeds. I soak a tablespoon over night and put it in a 3 fruit smoothie for my breakfast every morning. It has been working for a year now with daily regularity (sometimes twice a day).
Castor Oil
Posted by Mary (Hampshire) on 04/26/2025
★★★★★
I realise this is an old post, but for others, I had constipation for years, then took castor oil. I took 3 tablespoons and OMG! I certainly had a complete clear-out a few hours later and it kept up for 2 days. Don't take a lot and expect to be able to go out for a day or two. Now, as soon as I feel it is starting again I have a teaspoon and this works. I too use the 100% certified organic. Wonderful stuff.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Rene (Idaho USA) on 08/12/2023
"Die off" refers to when a "pathogen" (the broad word to describe any microbe, worm, candida, mold, etc.) is killed. often that pathogen will be a host to other pathogens, so when the host is killed, the pathogens that it supported will die and all these dead pathogens have to be removed by our body. Sometimes this can make us feel sick, flu like. Our kidneys and liver have to work hard to cleanse our body of all this yucky waste. It helps ALOT if we drink extra water and remain "regular" in the bathroom by whatever means necessary (enema, fiber pills, even laxatives for a short time). as always, try to "put the good stuff in (healthy food) and get the bad stuff out". Thank you E.C.!! This sight is refreshing and helpful.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/22/2010
★★★★★
I had candida, and one of my symptoms was constipation -- I was lucky if I had BM or went to toilet once in 4 days. And my stools were painful, dry and hard. As part of my own protocol to both kill the candida as well as to get rid of my constipation, I took 1 tbspns virgin coconut oil 3 times a day in my coffee or raw. I also alkalized at different times daily, using Ted's baking soda alkalizing remedies.
The effect of the coconut oil and baking soda can be explained like this. When the ingested coconut oil moves from the stomach to the duodenum, the pancreas squirts out its enzymes for digestion in bicarbonate solution into the duodenum. The bile from the liver breaks the coconut oil down into small droplets and the excess alkaline bicarbonate from the pancreas combines with the coconut oil to make a form of "soap" that greatly aids in passage of faeces down the intestines. But if you are lacking in bicarbonates stored in your pancreas or the food you eat is too acid, then you will need to increase your bicarbonate intake to increase this store.
I would normally take the coconut oil directly before or directly after meals. I would take the Baking soda remedy (any will do from this site), either one hour before or 2 hours after meals.
This had quite an effect, my stools soon became smaller and much softer as a result, and after a few months of this protocol, I became regular again, with BM every day.
It was, therefore, a combination of both taking coconut oil and increasing my bicarbonate intake(Baking Soda) that helped cure my own constipation problem.
Flaxseed
Posted by Christine (Doncaster, Yorkshire) on 08/30/2009
★★★★★
I have suffered constipation for years, not anymore. I take flax seeds every night so does my friend since I recommended them to her, about 3tbls swollowed down with plenty of water.
Apple Juice, Warm
Posted by Angel (USA) on 07/11/2008
★★★★★
I was bloated swollen, there was pain in my upper left rib cage, all the way around my back. I went to the ER thinking it was my gallbladder, thank God that it wasn't. I was told that I needed to poop! I was given magnesium citrate..it took almost 2 hours to work and it didn't bring out the beasts that were within me. I called my little brother who insisted that I try some apple juice. I took out a mug and filled it with apple juice and warmed it in the microwave. About an hour and a half later, I was on the free of poop list. It worked wonderfully. Left me feeling sluggish but well worth it. I'll continue to drink a cup of warm apple juice once a week to keep myself regular. I loathe medications, so this natural remedy is what I recommend.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by A.M.S. (New York) on 12/17/2024
★★★★★
Lemon juice and olive oil worked! I have had issues for over 10 years and have tried everything - probiotics, enzymes, aloe vera, magnesium, psyllium husk. I eat healthy - oatmeal, fruit, greens, beets, etc. No bread or cheese, which stops all movement due to food sensitivities. Nothing has worked as well as Olive Oil and Lemon Juice in a WARM glass of water every morning. One lemon, 1-2 TBS of olive oil in a warm glass of water. I also take psyllium husk (powder or pill) which was not working on its own until I added the olive oil. The two together within the same day is the key for me. Additionally, the olive oil has helped lose some weight as a healthy fat. I am so thankful for this website.
Vitamin C
Posted by Chris (Binghamton NY) on 04/04/2024
★★★★★
If you have a stubborn case of constipation there is nothing like Vitamin C in a larger quantity.Something like a good teaspoon to however many it takes of powdered sodium ascorbate stirred into orange juice or another beverage will do the trick.I think it is less sour than plain powdered ascorbic acid, but you can use it as well.This is usually the bowel tolerance level when you cut back on how much you take for other ailments, but it works for constipation very well.You May feel a bit of rumbling inside and I advise staying close to the bathroom because it really works.
Quit Caffeine
Posted by Jennifer (Napa, Ca) on 06/23/2018
★★★★★
Re a post about caffeine curing constipation -
Just the opposite! Quitting caffeine CURES constipation. If you stop drinking all forms of caffeine, you will cure your dreaded constipation. Being an avid coffee drinker for 20 years, I always believed coffee was the only thing that would make me “go”, albeit only 2 times per week(so unhealthy). I read about curing constipation by eliminating all forms of caffeine, which I swore I would never do, but then I read about so many other healthy side effects like deeper sleep, clearer skin, in addition to bowel movement regularity, and decided it was more than worth a try after dealing with constipation for as long as I can remember. I weened myself off caffeine and by Day 4 I started having regular bowel movements every day. I also slept better than I have my entire life by Day 6.
Looking back to my teenage years and in my twenties, I drank a lot of Diet Coke and had no idea how that caffeine was effecting my health. When I stop to think about all the things constipation kept me from doing all these years, it sickens me. Getting off caffeine takes a couple weeks but it's so worth the effort. I used to have dark circles under my eyes and they are now gone, and I've only been off caffeine for a month! Another awesome side effect? No more nasty hangovers!
That's right, I work in the wine industry and always thought the wine was giving me hangovers, until I quit caffeine and discovered I could drink wine and feel fine the next day! It was the caffeine withdrawal that compounded the dehydration that always caused my hangover, not to mention the pesticides in coffee, etc.
Water
Posted by Search4truth (Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines) on 09/23/2017 1 posts
★★★★★
I have tried numerous constipation remedies to create daily bowel movements as part of a detox protocol, but nothing worked consistently.
Until I read about drinking 1 liter of filtered water first thing in the morning when I woke up. It worked. After drinking my morning liter of water, I'll have an easy bowel movement usually within an hour or two. Sometimes just minutes. It used to be days. I don't know if the type of water is a factor, but I drink filtered mountain water where I live.
I do also have chronic health problems often characterized as Fibromyalgia which may be of some consequence.
Kiwi
Posted by Adrienne (Gold Coast) on 06/15/2015
★★★★★
I have suffered from constipation for years and have used many products including the best digestive enzymes and acidophillus available - I am also a nutritionist so I eat well and take heaps of the best supplements. I've also had colonics and massage to help.
The thing that has worked wonders for me without question is kiwi fruit. first thing on an empty stomach I eat 3 kiwi or blend them with another fruit and some chia seeds, and I have absolute success every time.
I think kiwi have the right ph for your gut health, are full of enzymes and also are slippery.
Try this and share!
Chia Seeds
Posted by Yellowbird (Portlandia) on 09/11/2013 10 posts
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
SIDE EFFECTS: Caution with Chia Seeds (and Flax & Primrose Seeds) for those with
HYPOtension (very LOW blood pressure)...
These seeds are known for their ability to reduce blood pressure via vasodilation- a good thing for folk with HYPERtension (=High BP), but the quick reduction can be dramatic- even dangerous- for those who live with very low blood pressure already.
Much as I loved them, I had to stop using chia becoz of this effect. Everytime I tried them, within minutes my allready low blood pressure would fall thru the floor: veins overly dilated, throbbing sensation in neck vein, dizzy, faint, anxious, knot in chest, breathless, fluttery heart, skipped beats, light & dark spots before eyes. Classic signs of blood pressure plunging too low, too fast.
