★★★★★
For Constipation:
2 Tbs of Bragg apple cider vinegar, 1 packet of Emergent C, half glass of water, every morning for years now. Works.
Ted's Remedies
Awesome Robert! I notice that your typical meal has only two eggs, no bread and no dairy.
Plum Juice
★★★★★
I've learned from 94 yrs old lady to drink plum juice. I drank whole container from grocery store. Wait a while n true enough it flush bowel movement. More importantly, make sure to eat enough fiber foods to keep your stomach digest well. If not enough fiber then it constipated like flour, meat, sugar, n anything junkie.
MSM
My friend also reminded me that you have to snip the end of the nozzle off so that the stream is a bit bigger - otherwise it's just tiny.
MSM
A friend purchased a "set" of wash bottles and uses the largest for plain water and puts a stronger, soap/water/ACV mixture in the next smaller size.
She is using Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap because she read something about using cold sitz baths and since I have some peppermint, I tried it with her stronger peppermint/acv mixture and WOW! THAT would be refreshing on a hot day!! It's like a big dose of air conditioning, all OVER!! I'm going to have to put on a sweater!! ROFL! AWESOME!! That is SO cool!! Literally! Holy moly!
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
I stirred the baking soda into a half glass or 6 oz of water and drank it at least a half hour before breakfast or supplements. Water is the only thing that doesn't foam with baking soda. The second dose was I think was at least 2 hours after lunch or in the evening. A person should probably start with taking the baking soda because the baking soda was the main thing that got me regular again, partly I think because baking soda is slick when wet so I think it lubricates the bowels. Also, I think baking soda cleanses the bowels. So after the baking soda gets things moving in a few days or weeks, then the fiber and supplements can be added because a bulk of 8 grams of fiber helps keep thinks moving. The rye flour is 2 grams of fiber for an eighth level cup. The cellulose fiber is 4 grams of fiber for 2 level or slightly rounded teaspoons. The apple pectin is about 1.8 grams for 6 of the 300 mg capsules. So that is almost 8 grams of fiber.
Ginger, Coconut Oil, Baking Soda
★★★★★
Thank you all for your posts.
I read from Bill somewhere this web site about fat + baking soda = soap. I had this stomach pain very early in the morning together with my recent problem of constipation. So with empty stomach, I got up making 1/2 glass of ginger tea warm plus 1tbs of coconut oil, then immediate half glass of water with 1/4 tsp of baking soda (I feel all my nutrients were washed out of my body from baking soda).
Amazingly, the pain is gone. I have been taking these two glasses for about a week now. I plan to stop at 7th or 10th day. I also learned from the same section to take 1 tsp of blackstrap molasses which also seemed to help with my constipation.
I am thankful for the posts and this web site. God bless.
Glycerin
★★★★★
Glycerin suppositories are the best remedy for constipation. They work within minutes. I can eat constipating foods like dairy or meat and still have a good bowel movement with the glycerin suppositories. I do one in the mornings if I have been eating constipating foods. Otherwise I don't need one. My friend who is 60 has been using them for 30 years with no negative side effects.
I have gotten dependent on glycerine suppositories... like I cannot use the bathroom hardly at all even after using them. I think they might be fine here and there for me but every day might be too much for some ppl.
Herbs
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.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
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.
Herbs
★★★★★
If speeding up your bowels is the issue then I know what to tell you here. You will need Cayenne pepper, distilled water. Take a small amount of cayenne pepper and put it in a bottle of distilled water. Drink it all day long. Shake up the bottle each time you take a swig. And by the end of the week of doing that you should be running well. I would also consider Extra virgin Olive oil with turmeric to take once in a while too as necessary.
Dietary Changes
★★★★★
Avoid High Animal Protein Diet-especially Milk Protein And Red Meat For Constipation Relief:
High protein weight loss diets often cause constipation. In reverse, lowering animal protein, especially milk protein (including yogurt) and red meat may help constipation. In children intolerance to milk protein is a major cause of constipation. Also, avoid flour kneaded in fat, such as crackers and cookies.
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.
Dry Mustard in Water
★★★★★
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.
Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds
I like seeing that you noted a general improvement and documented it. We all work differently and we must keep this in mind for how our bodies react to remedies.
Herbs
★★★★★
You may really want to try Cascara Sagrada for your constipation. It's an aged bark that the Indians used. I couldn't believe my relults when I first used it. It worked overnight with no cramping at all. In fact, when I headed to the bathroom I didn't even know I was going to "go"! You can get it on the internet or at a health food store and it's not expensive. Make sure you read the whole label. Hope this helps you!
EC: Cascara Sagrada, sacred bark, is evidently a species of buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana, from the Western US and Canada.
Have used cascara for years. Works well, but after seeing a program on laxative abuse, I thought I would do a little more research. It is in fact a stimulate laxative. It is not to be used by someone with U.C. or Crohns, or IBD. Well, guess what, I have some of these issues. And have been trying very hard to find ways to help myself. So I will be trying other remedies as this may actually be working against me.
Recommended to use it only occasionally. And not longer that 7 days. I have used it by itself or in formulas since the 1980s!
Also it can turn the lining of colon dark. It can and does! Some varying opinions as to whether or not this can later cause a problem.
Olive Oil and Orange Juice
★★★★★
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!
Epsom Salt
★★★★★
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.
Position
★★★★★
Proper positioning has helped me in combination with taking enzymes. It looks like I was not digesting fats very well. I sit in this kneeling position in the mornings and it helps get things going...
Glucomannan Root
★★★★★
I have had several stomach surgeries that has caused me to have Chronic Constipation, and I have been a big fan of Earth Clinic since 2007 and I have tried all your remedies, the only one that helped me a few times were Apple Cider vinegar with Baking Soda and that isn't a guarantee each time. I have spent so much money getting colonics. I was watching Dr. Oz Show and found a natural Fiber that you can buy & I was so skeptical, however after buying it and trying it, I can honestly say it works if you take it before you eat & drink lots of water.
Glucomannan Root Is The Awesome & I highly Recommend it, Its a Natural Fiber you can find it anywhere and its inexpensive! I was so surprised how fast it worked and how gently it worked. You must follow directions for it to work. But I am now a believer.
Ginger
★★★★★
For constipation I would suggest 1) yoga 2) Ginger tea I like the yogi brand because it has a great flavore and other stimulating herbs that help the digestive tract. I've delt with constipation my whole life and I accidentally bought the Ginger teas and found that within an hour of drinking I'm ready to no longer be constipated. Try a few different organic brands from health food stores until you find one you like, they aren't all the same. Also if you like raw Ginger you can try eating it but be careful if your pregnant or intend to be because too much Ginger can cause miscarriage.
Baking Soda
★★★★★
For chronic constipation, it helps to drink a glass of water mixed with a teaspoon of pure baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) before bed every night. Be sure it's pure baking soda (no aluminum).
★★★★★
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.
Triphala Churna
★★★★★
I have had very good luck with Triphala to normalize bowels. I take 3 capsules every night before retiring and it keeps me regular without the cramps, gas, etc. from laxatives. No fear about leaving the house the next day!
Triphala Churna
★★★★★
I've had terrible constipation since I was young... I would have a bowel movement maybe every 2 weeks. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago, which made the problem much worse. Typical remedies like laxatives, prunes, and fiber have absolutely no effect on me. Triphala has been a miracle for me. It's not a laxative, but it encourages regular bowel movements because it acts like a tonic for your colon and digestive system. It's extremely gentle but very powerful. I have a bowel movement almost every day, without any pain or discomfort. It completely regulates my digestive system and makes me feel great. As an added bonus, it has a ton of antioxidants, which is great for your body! I use a very good-quality brand, because some lower quality brands have little to no effect on me. Look for brands that have guaranteed potency.
Raw Rice
I have read that rice contains a lot of arsenic. I find it alarming because it is in so much dog food.
Honey With Olive Oil, Oranges
★★★★★
I just want to tell people that if they are severely constipated, that three or four tablespoons of honey can get your bowels moving, but they will move easier if you add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or any good oil, such as sunflower or safflower oil to the honey as well. And something else that usually will do the trick is two or three oranges ate one after the other. I used the honey method on a relative who had not had a bowel movement in over a week. After the dosage his bowels moved that evening!