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.
Cabbage
Posted by Mujahid (Tobyhanna, Pennsylanvia) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★
I stopped eating meat, and started eating cabbage everyday, yes gas is part of what is expected, but my bowel movement is now regulated, my system is cleansed, stool is no longer dark and there is no unbearable smell. my weight is going down. And most of all I feel better physically. I juice 8 oz twice a day. And eat 1/4 pound per day. Basil and Fennel and black pepper for flavor.
Bentonite Clay
Posted by Ken (Cendtnnial, Co.) on 05/22/2008
★★★★★
I used the Psyllium and Bentonite shakes With Paragone at the same time for colon cleanse for 3 mo. It was quite amazing. Although You must take Vitamins and Liquid minerals with it because it sucks everything out. Bentonite absorbs 90x it's weight in toxins. 2Tbs of Psy. and 1 Tbs of Bent. in 12oz. of water at bed time. No other medication or Vitamins within 2 hrs. before or after, since they won't be absorbed with the shake. Also you must take Acidophilus to replace the healthy bacteria in youe colon or you may have major problems. Neem oil may help the Rosacea.
Molasses
Posted by Karen (Kingsland, Georgia) on 10/11/2007
★★★★★
I have been taking the blackstrap molasses for two weeks now. I have super energy now with in days of using it. i,ve also been having regular bowel movements daily. don't want to stop taking this am sold out.
Olive Oil and Orange Juice
Posted by Nicki (Ontario, Canada) on 12/23/2006
★★★★★
It's not on this site, I don't think. For severe constipation (I had no movement for 5 days), I tried equal amounts of olive oil and orange juice. I had 1 cup of this in total, you may be able to get away with less. Within 15 minutes, there was movement. I was able to have many soft bowel movements after that. It was incredible. I also find eating 1/3 cup of Bran with Psyillium every day will help in getting back on track, going forward.
Seltzer Water
Posted by Carol (Cumberland, MD) on 11/19/2006
★★★★★
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.
Cabbage
Posted by Carol (Southern NJ) on 10/29/2006
★★★★★
I eat about 1 cup of raw Savoy Cabbage a day with a meal. It relieved my roller coaster episodes of diarrhea in one day...and constipation for the next week. Also it helped with PMS. I can think more clearly, I have a higher energy level, my mood is improved, and I feel really healthy.
Prune Juice
Posted by John (Baltimore, Maryland) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★
Ever since my wife and I were married she would drink a glass of prune juice 2 times per week. This resulted in not only a cleansing but an end to constipation after trying it myself. It is also good to drink a glass of water as well to wash it down.
Psyllium
Posted by KC (Columbia, South Carolina) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★
I have tried and am still using this for constipation and bloating. This only cost me $6 for 1 lb. and it has been a miracle for me. I had tried Colonix for colon cleansing and it was a very dramatic experience for me. I believe it was more or less a laxative with additives to get you addicted and it gave you close to diarrhea. I felt like had to go to the bathroom all of the time. So I had developed even more anxiety which lead to IBS I believe. Anyways- It has been a few months and I tried this cheap natural remedy and it works! I've been using it a little more than a week and I've seen greater results than Colonix had ever promised. I just followed the recipe on this site which had led me to the road of happiness. Thanks!
Acupressure
Posted by Donna (Aspen, CO)
★★★★★
Every morning, before you get out of bed -- rub your tummy with your fist, not too hard, gently, but make an impression, only for about 10 seconds. It may take two mornings of rubbing, but you'll never be constipated again.
Lemons
Posted by Diane (Denton TX) on 07/26/2026
★★★★★
I read that warm lemon water encourages peristalsis. I added about a tablespoon of lemon juice to an 8 oz glass of warm water and drank it with a straw first thing in the morning. It helped.
Prunes and Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by BR549 (Virginia) on 07/15/2026
★★★★★
What's been working for me is 3 prunes and about 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses a day, plus in the morning I drink about 3 measuring cups of water and a pinch of Celtic Sea salt. The water helps so much, it gets things going. A cup of coffee can help, too, but I've been using mostly decaf with a little bit of regular coffee mixed in. The coffee counts with the 3 cups of liquid.
Probiotics
Posted by coril (Sweden) on 11/28/2025
★★★★★
About a month ago I switched to a new probiotic brand...I never had any issues with the old one but I came across this product that had 20 strains of bacteria instead of the 5 strains of the brand I was taking for the same price, so I thought ohhhh let's do an upgrade...well what I got was the worst constipation of my life. I never had any constipation issues before. After two weeks of taking it I was HORRIBLY plugged up. Just pure misery. I suspected the probiotics since nothing else had really changed in my diet and stopped them...it took a while after resuming to my old brand of probiotics but now, two more weeks later it seems my digestion is coming back to where it used to be. Just effortless daily bowel movements. So thankful! What also seemed to help me during the worst times was coffee with some baking soda in it and spoonful of olive oil beforehand...apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut and kombucha (be super careful with your teeth though...they can mess up your enamel for good...I am speaking from experience...), plenty of fiber - in terms of veggies, okra seemed to be a very good choice.
Also in terms of the probiotics, I just wanted to add that I did a bit of research and it seems my old brand specifically had strains that are actually known to help with constipation...so if you suffer from this condition, don't just take any brand, do you research and find a brand that has lots of the types of bacteria that are known to be particularly good for constipation.
I hope this helps someone out there, I now know how truly miserable it can be to be constipated!
Apples
Posted by Ruralady (Illinois) on 11/22/2025 226 posts
Don't forget to eat the apple seeds, full of natural cyanide and that keeps the doctor away!!
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by SUNNY (Ca) on 11/10/2025
★★★★★
Olive oil works because it lubricates the intestines. I take a shot of cold pressed olive oil I like Pompeian brand and then chase it with lemon juice and a bit of water after. It is also very important to massage your belly with any oil from up to the center across then down like an incomplete square. You can see an example on Youtube. I also say walk as much as you can like 2 miles and also do exercises where you move you belly like Bellly dance or Yoga that moves you belly. Try not to eat anything until you poop. This really works as you need to move the poop down thru lubrication and motion. Do it asap as constipation feels horrible!
Pass it Foward - Sunny
Senna Leaf Tea
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 11/09/2025
Hi Luke. I too found that cascara was not effective with serious constipation. Aloe ferox is. I take it in capsule form, with a cup of water. If I have mild consipation, I take 1 capsule (340 mg mixed with fennel, Nature's Way Aloelax). I used to take pure aloe ferox, but have not been able to find it these days. Plus 1 capsule of slippery elm. Works great, overnight.
If more serious, I take 2 caps. Adding psyllium also helps, as needed. Many years ago, I had very serious constipation, so bad I finally went for a series of colonics just to get the hardened stuff out. And the lady recommended aloe ferox. The stuff is amazing. I've never suffered like that again.
Bran, Guar Gum, Molasses
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 02/25/2025
★★★★★
A third tsp unprocessed coarse bran, with around a quarter tsp or so of guar gum/or other such fiber in a cup of warm water, with an added pinch (or occasionally two) of Epsom salt, a little MCT or coconut or olive oil, and a tsp honey/molasses taken several times a day is helpful.
Small amounts of magnesium, even taking a larger dosage from time to time, but not every day, might be helpful.
Herbal remedies for constipation containing senna or other stimulant herbs stop working eventually. First, there is a need for higher and higher dosages and then even the higher dosages hardly work. Even taking high amounts of magnesium products like magnesium citrate over a long time (a year or so) will end up hardly working. And the body's natural peristalsis is damaged. Miralax is less habit forming, but it can cause nervousness (or anxiety or sleeplessness) in some people.
Fiber foods taken with a lot of water are helpful.
(There is an antibiotic - Erythromycin that has been shown to help severe constipation in children. https://www.scielo.br/j/bjmbr/a/NGMt3N7mkbn49xnzYB8mYYS/)
Avoiding/minimizing fried foods, too much protein, and refined and processed foods is important.
Coffee
Posted by SUNNY (Ca) on 02/03/2025
★★★★★
A poop Dr. on YouTube said that bloating is due to constipation. I agree. Coffee makes me go right away. I had major bloating and remembered I hadn't pooped regularly. I took one cup of coffee and cleaned my house to move around and like 20 minutes later has so much relief and pooped. Don't eat stuff that makes you stuck or gives you gas. But if you need it coffee is the best!!
Kiwi
Posted by Amelia (Westheimer) on 12/09/2023
★★★★★
I have had success with 1 kiwi and 1 or 2 tablespoons of yogurt right before I go to bed. It is the last thing I eat. When I wake up in the morning, I feel relief.
