If you are having less than 3 bowel movements a week, you might be constipated. Natural laxatives that work fast can help you regularize your bowel movement.
Constipation, though not a disease in itself, may lead to several other diseases and disorders. One must have at least 3 bowel movements per week. Any less than that, and you will feel constipated all the time. There are several diseases, which originate from constipation and Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS). Hence, one must take conscious efforts to regularize their bowel movements. Laxatives can help a great deal in regularizing your bowel movements. These are the substances, which induce stool formation and evacuation from the body. If you do not wish to go for over the counter ones, then natural laxatives that work fast could be a good option for you.
List of Foods
People suffering from constipation should eat a lot of high fiber foods. Fiber is found in adequate quantity in certain vegetables and grains. It is not digested by the body, hence directly goes to the colon. When combined with water, it aids in stool formation. It absorbs all the water, thereby resulting in long, soft stool, which can be easily passed. There are several foods, which fulfill this purpose.
Vegetables high in fiber include broccoli, cauliflower, beans, cabbage, spinach, etc. High fiber foods are also the best for children. Eating two prunes daily also helps improve bowel movement. Alternatively, you can also drink prune juice, which is rich in iron, potassium, and vitamin A. Fruits, such as papaya, guava, sapodilla (sapota), etc., are great colon cleansers, which also relieve constipation.
Other items included in the list are:
- Almond
- Avocado
- Apple juice
- Chicory
- Coconut
- Dates
- Figs
- Flaxseed oil
- Grapes
- Molasses
- Chicken broth
- Olives
- Olive oil
- Plums
- Pineapple
- Walnut
- Wheat germ
- Turnip
- Soybeans
- Low fat milk
Fast Acting Laxatives
Often, you need a quick constipation relief if you did not have a normal bowel movement due to dietary or lifestyle change. If you do not have any history of constipation, then your body only needs a little stimulation to put its bowel movement back on track. Some natural laxatives can give you a relief in a day’s time. Castor oil is by far the fastest acting and best one. It has a very offensive odor and is slimy to taste.
However, the over the counter formulation that you get these days are absolutely odorless, but the slimy consistency is still there. Hence, you would want to mix it with orange juice or milk shake to disguise its consistency. Flush it down with a hot beverage like tea. It is often used for enema, as a constipation treatment. However, if you suffer from constipation occasionally, then a spoonful of castor oil should do the trick for you.
Over the Counter
These are available in the form of psyllium husk supplements and milk of magnesia. Psyllium husk has a very high fiber content and is great for regular use. Milk of magnesia is also a good substance and is safe for children.
The best natural laxative is water. If you drink very little water a day, none of the above remedies is likely to work for you. Hence, ensure you drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Also, increase your intake of fluids in the form of fruit juices. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables invariably leads to good colon health. Besides, cut down your intake of white flour foods, junk foods, which slow down the bowel movement. If you pay attention to your diet, you will rarely ever need any medication, natural or otherwise.
Disclaimer: This HolisticZine article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
