Easy Home Remedies for Constipation Relief

Kvass

Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/06/2024
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Kvass, or fermented rye bread or beet water, helps lessen constipation.

A simple way to make this is just to place in a jar some dried out rye sourdough bread slices, (slices can be dried in the oven or even just on the counter). Add boiling water to fill the jar. One slice of the bread can be added later when the water not that hot. A teaspoon of salt can also be added to the mixture. Put a lid on the jar. (Maybe mix it every day.) After 3-5 days the water will have a pleasant tangy taste. (The bread can be removed after a day or two or earlier.)

This is not a professional kvass, which also has sugar or honey and some yeast added to it.

There is also beet kvass that is also helpful for many.

Resistant Starch + Wheat Bran

Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/20/2024
★★★★★

Resistant Starch such as Potato or Corn Starch w/Wheat Bran in Water for Constipation

Taking a little (start with a quarter teaspoon, then gradually increase the amount) potato or corn starch in water once or twice a day helps to increase good bacteria in the colon. This should be taken with some other fiber, such as wheat bran.

Studies have shown that taking this starch/water mixture increased the good bacteria in the colon. Still, the good bacteria weren't propagating throughout the whole colon. Adding a little (wheat) bran together with the starch effected that the good bacteria spread throughout the whole colon.

Resistant Starch + Wheat Bran

Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/06/2024

Update.

The raw starch is not easy on the intestines.

Maybe, just using one fourth teaspoon (or a bit more) starch several times a week is enough. This together with some wheat or other bran.

Grapefruit

Posted by Mimi (Texas) on 09/29/2023
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Grapefruit for Constipation

I eat a few slices of grapefruit and some grapefruit juice with my breakfast in the morning.

Hope this helps.

Cream of Tartar

Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 11/22/2022
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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.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Science (Cyprus) on 03/07/2022 21 posts
★★★★★

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.

Ginger

Posted by RRR (Virginia) on 02/19/2021
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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.

Rhubarb

Posted by Zara (Batley) on 07/23/2020
★★★★★

Rhubarb root is a cure for chronic constipation.

Brazil Nuts

Posted by Elaine (MN) on 10/10/2025

All nuts are coated with phytates so they don't sprout at the wrong time. You should only consume organic soaked and dried nuts. They are available online. Phytates in your body damages the mineral baseline.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Dan (Seattle) on 03/17/2017

Uh, there's no aluminum in baking soda. It's sometimes in baking powder however...

Mango

Posted by Marisa Bell (Detroit, Mi) on 02/01/2014
★★★★★

I was on a low carb, high protein diet for a while, about a year. During the course of that year, I developed really bad gas. IT always happend at night and I had NO IDEA why it was happening. Come to find out, my stools had hardened and I was having chronic constipation! It was horrible! I first used magnesium as a supplement, but that gave me terrible gas! Then I started trying to do more grains and oats and that made the constipation worse! I tried prune juice which worked, however, gave me really bad gas. So finally I did some research for high fiber fruits and came across mangoes! They have been a life savor. I now eat half a mango twice a day and have been regular finally! It has really helped me with no side effects of bad gas or loose stool. AS with anything youre using to fight constipation, you have to play around to see how much your body needs to be regular. But try it!

Castor Oil

Posted by Milos (MA) on 12/12/2020
★★★★★

Wow, this, for me, has been the best method. I have tried all the previously mentioned methods to no avail. And you are right -- stay close to the commode. lol. Castor oil is best. I did 4 tablespoons today and will reduce to maybe 2 tomorrow.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Kathy (the USA) on 04/05/2013

AMEN to your report on wheat. My husband is affected the same way. He doesn't believe it but maybe if I show him your post it'll give him something to think about! THANKS!!

Fiber

Posted by Traveler (Houston, Texas) on 01/12/2013
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I am a 29 year old female who's had issues with constipation since I was a teenager. In the past 8 or so years I've gotten into alternative health and have tried a bunch of different things. I found that blackstrap molasses was really great for the constipation right before my period, and also eased my bleeding a bit and my cramps. When I'm desperate, I've happily chugged from the bottle though it tastes very nasty to me.

Lately, I've been dumpster diving a lot. I started for other reasons and only after seeing how much food was wasted, that was wrapped up in plastic and put in boxes not even touching anything I considered "dirty" have I started "rescuing" food. Anyway, because of this, I have two freezers and a fridge full of vegetables and fruit that were ripe enough to have at home but I guess too ripe to keep in the store with fresh stock coming in. Or, vegetables with the mildest blemish on it. I've noticed that because I'm eating so much in the way of vegetables and fruits, that constipation is no longer an issue. Even last year when I was going to the store and relying on foods that had a longer shelf life, like beans or lentils, I found that if I got 25-30 grams of fiber, mostly from "real" foods, it was actually a joy to go to the bathroom. Plus, I find that I get cranky if I'm not going regularly and this effects different parts of my life negatively.

I highly recommend finding delicious ways to get fiber into your diet. Currently my three favorite recipes are mashed cauliflower, mushrooms madera, and each morning I make myself a big bowl of bananas, blueberries, and sometimes grapes (all rescued and delicious) with a tiny bit of fiber cereal (also rescued unopened) and either some milk, or yogurt mixed in.

I'm currently experimenting with trying to hit 60grams of fiber per day to see how (or if) that affects weight loss when not really focusing on calories. In any event, people need 25-35 grams of fiber PER DAY. Don't rely on over the counter fiber supplements-- go to foods even if you have to buy them, that have vitamins, minerals and a high water content so you don't have to have the worry of the fiber supplements working against you and making your constipation worse.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Lawrence (Fairfax, Va) on 12/13/2012

Can you be more specific. What die-off effect are you referring to? Candida? Thanks.

Olive Oil and Orange Juice

Posted by Idow (Miami, Fl) on 07/11/2012
★★★★★

YEA. I can't thank Ted enough for this website and whoever first posted the olive oil/OJ cure for constipation. After 46 yrs of babying my colon w/tons of fiber in order to have a BM everyday, now I'm totally cured. I continue to eat a healthy organic, high fiber diet b/c I have hereditary high cholesterol, but my colon behaves perfectly everyday now, like clockwork, without any prodding or waiting!

I followed the inxs from the original poster 1 teaspoon organic extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon OJ, first thing in the morning, with an empty stomach. Proceed to have your breakfast as usual. By the time you're done with your tea, or coffee (highly recommend either as caffeine is a stimulant & further helps to move the colon) you're ready to take care of business and go on with your day.

I can only thank God and Ted for this website! Many blessings to you Ted!

Water

Posted by Renee (Bergen Co., Nj) on 01/06/2012
★★★★★

I also drink several glasses of water on an empty stomach in the morning with much success. (32-48 ounces usually). It's a great daily habit. Water on an empty stomach causes the colon to spasm and move the contents, as I understand it. You're also rehydrating your body after sleeping all night. I usually have a successful bathroom visit in 30 minutes or less. I eat breakfast about 30 minutes to an hour later. To resolve a more severe case of constipation, I have had success by adding several other remedies listed here to the water remedy (e.g., sea salt cleanse, eating a cucumber, magnesium oxide).

Dietary Changes

Posted by Catrina (Waldorf, Maryland/usa) on 10/22/2011
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Four weeks ago, I cut out all dairy substituting almond milk instead of cows milk and began eating a vegan diet. I have been having a bowel movement everyday with no straining! For 47 years, I suffered from chronic constipation, IBS, chronic pain and bloating. I've tried conventional and non-conventional remedies. I am writing to say I have found something that works. Try cutting out all milk products or items that contain diary and see if it makes a difference. In the beginning, as my body adjusted to my new diet, I had gas pains for about one and a half weeks. Three weeks ago, I began acupuncture treatments and after two sessions, my gas pains are gone and I am not as bloated. I have four more acupuncture sessions to go to complete the series, but I attribute the bowel movements to the lack of dairy in my diet.

Position

Posted by Angela (Bloomfield,, New Jersey) on 10/05/2011
★★★★★

I have suffered from constipation in a very bad way for a very long time. I don't know what this exercise is called but a friend of mine recently told me to kneel down then sit on the back of my legs as though I was sitting on a chair and wait for the sensation that I want to go comes. It works like a charm. The first few times took about 15 minutes. After that, it happened in about 5 minutes. Works every time. If the floor is too hard, sit on the bed or sofa. Can't wait to hear your experiences.

Chia Seeds

Posted by Tina (Princeton, N J ) on 09/25/2011
★★★★★

Chia seeds are very good in curing constipation, since they are full of fiber. It is also the richest and only unprocessed whole food source of pure Omega 3. Chia seeds 'scrubbing' action also help remove toxins from the small intestine. Plus they are high in protein, so they keep you feeling full longer and make you feel so energetic! Best of all, they are quite inexpensive and can be found in health food stores. Remember to drink lots of water when you eat chia seeds, as they absorb ten times their weight in water.

I soak about two scoops (from the scoop provided in the container) in water overnight and the next morning it is almost a jelly consistency. Eaten with some organic raw honey and fresh lemon juice, it makes a delicious and filling breakfast. Best of luck!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Anne (Dallas , Pa) on 01/23/2011
★★★★★

I have suffered from chronic constipation all of my life (47years), however my constipation was elevated to a whole new level of difficulty after a difficult child birth that required a surgical repair of my rectal wall - no pushing power. I tried everything: stool softeners, psyllium fiber, M---lax and a prescribtion medication for IBS. I eat a high fiber diet and stay hydrated But nothing worked. If you are reading this I don't have to tell you that this is really bad for the female self image. Constipation is not sexy!

This past summer I stumbled on what has been a "miracle" for me: oat bran. 100% oat bran is prepared as a hot cereal that I eat daily for breakfast (not to be confused w/ oat bran). It took a week or so, but for the most part I have been constipation free for the better part of 6 months. I have a normal BM almost daily and sometimes 2 times daily. Sometimes I might get a touch of constipation and to my amazement a single stool softener will now Do the trick, if I stick w/ my Oat bran regime. And best of all it is delicious w/ a little Spoon of sugar and some butter, Raisins and a few walnuts-yummy. I Love it! And it good for Controlling cholesterol as a bonus.

May be hard to find in a conventional grocery store, but most health food sections Of a store will have it. Some stores carry it in the loose bulk section. Any good health food store will have it. It's usually pretty cheap, but shop around if price is a consideration. Should be less than 3.50 for a small box that will last me at least 2 weeks.

I was able to rid myself of constipation. Now I will try the ACV for my Interrmitant abd pain. Good luck friends.