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.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Gord 235 (Vancouver, Canada) on 03/24/2019
★★★★★
I've used epson salt as a remedy for constipation. I mixed 1 tsp. with a cup of warm water, stirred and then drank it, then followed up with two more cups of warm water. I found it to be very effective but it's wise to be near a toilet after taking as it can produce a fairly rapid response.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, British Columbia) on 04/30/2018
★★★★★
I take one heaping teaspoon mixed into one large cup of warm water, then sit back and wait. Within an hour I can feel my bowels starting to rumble and once I feel my sphincter starting to tighten I make sure I am positioned on the toilet. Soon there is a big woosh and relief arrives; maybe a couple of wooshes but in any event the problem is gone. I have tried several of the common fibre laxatives and have found Epsom salts to be the cheapest, fastest and best solution. It is great for those times when you long for a total evacuation after a few days of not going. I purchase it at my local drugstore, store it in the cupboard and only use it when the usual remedies don't work. Caution: make sure you are close to a toilet when using.
Herbs
Posted by Bill (Philippines) on 08/19/2022
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.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Michael (Sacramento) on 10/01/2015
★★★★★
I got severely constipated from eating baked cookies and cake that contained whole oats and flax seeds. Now I cook or soak the oats and the flax seeds in water prior to baking. I also make sure when I make legumes like black beans that I cook them thoroughly until very soft. Carbs in general take a lot of water to digest so daily water consumption should be increased accordingly with a moderate to high carb diet.
Flaxseed
Posted by H (Usa) on 12/02/2013
★★★★★
Like the original poster said, you have to boil the flax seeds in water till it gets gelatinous. Strain the seeds, keep the gel. Let it cool, then add 1 tbsp. apple cider to a cup of warm water, along with some of the flax gel poured in. That's what gives it the benefit. The flax seed alone, in it's hard shell won't work. The shells have to be broken down.
Vitamin D
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, Ny) on 09/10/2013
★★★★★
Vitamin D helps in constipation issues. It is better to take at least part in an oil based form since Vitamin D, an oil based vitamin, is better absorbed with fat.
Mayo Clinic's site states that people who are deficient can take about 50,000IU weekly for three months and then smaller amounts daily. They write that up to 4000IU daily is safe for people who are not deficient. It is reported that about 70% of people are Vitamin D deficient.
Other place recommend higher doses. They write that at times a 250,000 IU dose was given to children with rickets with no negative results. This high dosaging was given once in about three months.
Vitamin D should be taken with K2. (K2 keeps calcium in the bones and out of the arteries.)
Dry Mustard in Water
Posted by KT (The Usa) on 05/30/2013
★★★★★
Constipation: I had read an old "grandma" recipe of 1/2 tsp of dry mustard in 1/2 Cup cool water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, before breakfast, would get things moving. It worked great for me and I thought I had posted that here, on EC, but could not locate it so I'm posting it again hoping it will help someone else.
Prune Juice
Posted by Bilja (Toronto, Ontario) on 03/10/2013
★★★★★
Prune Juice for Constipation... Not personal experience, but family member, having constipation as taking many different medications and pain killers treating other issues. Tried acv, and olive oil w/ lemon juice, slow results. However drinking glass of prune juice gave relief in shortest possible time, very smooth and easy experience with bowel movement as never before in last 10 days. Just want to share with all.
Lemons
Posted by Lis11 (Richmond, Va) on 01/31/2012
★★★★★
This works for me and I do it everyday.
Hot water, squeeze lemon/lime water into it, add about 1tb molasses or less, olive oil, 3-4 prunes. Mix and let it stand for 5 mins so the prunes can absorb some water. This works like a charm every single time. Sometimes I run out of lemons or I forget to add olive oil.. It's okay if you do. Exact measurements are not important. It still works!! I will also occasionally add other things to my tonic.. Like a small pinch of turmeric/ cinnamon etc.. you can experiment with what works for you.
Additional note: mind over matter.. Be kind to yourself. Take time to breath and relax. It really helps to be aware of your internal dialogue to see how you talk to yourself.
Peace, L
Epsom Salt
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 01/22/2012
★★★★★
For severe constipation,
the best remedy is epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) because magnesium in high doses is a natural laxative. If you don't get relief from the constipation it merely means that you have not taken enough epsom salts. I would not take sea salt as something to relieve constipation.
As I said, if the epsom salts are not working just keep increasing the dosage (in not too large increments) to see the amount needed to induce a bowel movement.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 09/21/2011
★★★★★
Please try these cheasp remedies for constipation...
Magnesium upto 1000mg daily (pref bed time) since it will make you very relaxed.
Vitamin C (upto 5000mg daily) which is brilliant to reset the body and allow your bowels to move.
Prune juice 1/3 cup upto 2-3 daily.
Prunes
Spirulina and chlorella which clean out the toxicities in the liver and allow bowels to become regular.
Include veggies like cucumbers and celery to diet which help with retaining water to avoid dry stools.
Chia seeds
Aloe vera juice
(You will become regular in no time).
I went through several MRIs, colonoscopies and traditional meds, but the above intake along with daily exercise (1 hour brisk walk) eliminated the constipation completely. Please ask if you have any specific questions, since I am well versed with this topic.
Triphala Churna
Posted by Wfc (Hb, Ca) on 06/27/2010
★★★★★
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.
Raw Rice
Posted by Erin (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/05/2010
★★★★★
Age: 22
I feel like I have been constipated my whole life. But when I started eating raw rice for breakfast as part of a parasite purge program, I immediatly began having daily bowel movements. What I do is this: Drink 1 cup of warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. After about 20 minutes I eat 1/4 cup of raw rice. I soak the rice in water overnight to make it softer on my teeth. The rice should be chewed until it is liquid and then swallowed. I don't eat anything else until lunch (as part of the program, you are supposed to wait 3 hours so that the rice is the only thing going through you). About an hour after I eat the rice, I have the smoothest, most enjoyable bowel movements.
I think this works because raw rice can not be digested, so it passes right through you, scraping out the crevices of your intestines and pushing waste along.
This will probably work even in the absense of the lemon water, but I have never tried it. The lemon water first and then the raw rice is working great for me so I've never tried it without the lemon water.
**If you eat the rice and then eat other food without giving the rice sufficient time to digest, you will end up bloated with a terrbile stomach ache!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Rara (Dublin, Ireland) on 05/26/2009
★★★★★
Whenever I feel bloated/constipated I eat on whole cucumber and drink a cup of coffee. Within an hour it is effective every time.
Acupressure
Posted by Susan (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) on 11/27/2008
★★★★★
For constipation, I use an acupressure point in the arm. The point is found when you bend the arm - for example, place your right hand on your left shoulder. At the bend of the elbow, use your left hand to locate the acupressure point about halfway between the crease of the bend and the bone. Massage that point for about 15 seconds, then switch to the other arm. Back and forth. I also do this while standing. Usually works within 10 to 15 minutes at most. Also, I have cut out wheat and all gluten grains. I did not think I had a gluten problem but found out that I have that sensitivity.
Acupressure
Posted by Asif (London) on 04/17/2023
★★★★★
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.
Acupressure
Posted by Cheri (South West Tx) on 02/13/2016
★★★★★
a million thanks to you for the explanation on where to do the accupressure. people - IT WORKS.
I have a family member w/chronic constipation due to medication and most times things are working as I give flax seed, good yogurt, steel cut oatmeal, etc etc BUT sometimes the elimination is delayed I guess you'd say.
WELL, simply doing this right/left, twice had the results. What a relief to know this and not have to resort to other attempts with the milk of magnesium etc.
Kelp
Posted by Jay (Altoona, Florida) on 06/01/2008
★★★★★
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 buy my seaweed in bulk form.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Tandy (Orange County, CA) on 05/17/2008
★★★★★
Constipation remedy (lemon juice and olive oil) -- thank you for posting this remedy. i have had bowl movement problems since i was in highschool and i've gone to the doctors taken medication and many laxatives and even gone to the emergancy because it got so bad with stomach pains. But this actually worked for me. i just tried it worked. thankyou so much. i'm going to keep this in mind.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Fitnessgal (Fort Worth, Tx) on 09/03/2012
★★★★★
So very thankful to have found this solution as I am 8 months pregnant and there are not a lot of things I can try for constipation. It had been over a week since I've been able to go with no avail. I took 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, & a pinch of salt. It took 5 hours and finally had a small movement. Then in another hour had another small movement. The next day I was able to go again. I'm so much more comfortable now! Will skip a day and then take the solution again at bedtime as another user suggested. Thanks for posting this!!!!!!!
Water
Posted by Aimy (Lhr, Pk) on 03/10/2008
★★★★★
Drinking four to five glasses of water every morning before brushing your teeth will cure constipation in ten days. Avoid eating till about 45 minutes after consuming water in the morning. I tried many therapies but this one has been most successful and is a long term solution. Whenever I feel blocked, I consume more than four glasses in the morning. Sometimes even two glasses or one are enough to flush out the system.
