Offbeat Remedies for Constipation

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

In battling constipation, everyone knows about the importance of fiber and water.

That’s a two-pronged attack at its best. But what about when this just doesn’t cut it? What to do next?

What follows is an assortment of lesser- known, but possibly very effective, alternative remedies for constipation to get things moving again.

1. Magnesium: This is a very essential mineral needed by your body for many reasons. It is seldom discussed in matters of constipation, but, in this decade, researchers have found that magnesium might be very important indeed. In fact, low magnesium intake is directly tied to higher risk of constipation. It’s best to boost levels of magnesium through food.

2. Triphala: This herb is very common in India and is derived from Ayurvedic medicine. It’s famous for treating problems of digestion. Triphala is made from three fruits: harada, arnla and bihara. All three are known to help the digestive tract and relieve constipation. It could also help improve digestion, lower cholesterol, better circulation, detox the liver, lower blood pressure, bring down inflammation, reduce pain and protect the heart.

3. Daio-Kanzo-To: This Asian mix brings together licorice and rhubarb, and researchers have found that it could significantly improve constipation symptoms. Rhubarb’s ingredients are known laxatives that act in ways similar to over-the-counter products.

4. Aloe: This famous herb can be used as a laxative. The plant helps clean mucus from colon walls and act as a laxative to help improve bowel function. Try juice or supplements.

5. Senna: Senna contains glycosides, which are strong laxatives that soften stool, provide a cathartic action and make the intestinal muscles contract. Therefore, you should get increased bowel movements.

6. Electro-Acupuncture: This is acupuncture with wires, attached to the needles, where minor waves of electrical pulses feed down into the acupoints. They spark the muscles in the walls of the colon into moving.

7. Flaxseed: It swells and bulks up in the intestines, creating a laxative effect. Drink lots of water with this. Flaxseed could help the passage of stool and clear constipation.

8. Cascara Sagrada: The bark of this plant is widely used by herbalists to cure constipation. It is an aged, traditional method to tonify the bowels, make the colon move, and get the contractions back to normal for the healthy passage of stool. This natural laxative takes a few hours to work, but offers a good chance to get those intestines moving naturally. Take a capsule or two before going to bed. Never use fresh bark, as it can cause nasty side effects, and do not use the capsules for more than seven consecutive days.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new supplement routine.