Treating Constipation Naturally: Home Remedies

Treating Constipation Naturally: Home Remedies
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Healthy Alternatives

Common reasons for constipation are poor eating habits, decreased activity, advanced age, and medications. To help prevent constipation, eat healthy foods (including fresh fruits and vegetables), limit junk food, and exercise at least 3 times a week (walking is very effective).

When treating constipation, avoid commercial laxatives that contain chemicals. Some can destroy good bacteria in the intestines, decrease absorption of important nutrients, become addictive, and eventually cause constipation. Natural measures are preferred.

Home remedies for constipation:

• Eat 3-4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed once a day. You can add it to foods, like salad.

• Take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day with a glass of water.

• Add a little rochelle or Epsom salt in some water and drink.

• Add diced garlic to foods (like soups) or beverages (like juice) 2-3 times a day or take 2 garlic tablets (2gm) 1-2 times a day for mild constipation and up to 5 times a day when treating constipation that is severe.

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of brewers yeast and 1/2 teaspoon of wheat germ with each meal.

• Soak 6 apricots and 6 prunes in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, eat 3 of each and in the late afternoon, 1-2 hours before dinner, eat the remaining. Apricots and prunes are very effective home remedies for constipation.

• Add 1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses in 1/2 cup of warm water and drink an hour before lunch.

• Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in 1 cup of warm water and drink in the morning on an empty stomach. Honey can be added to sweeten the taste.

• Soak 1 tablespoon of raisins in water for a couple of hours and eat before dinner when treating constipation.

• Soak 6 dates in a glass of hot water for a few minutes. Drink the water and eat the dates.

• Drink a warm cup of prune juice first thing in the morning and you should see results soon.

• Drink an 8 ounce glass of warm sauerkraut juice and immediately follow it with an 8 ounce glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Both juices make wonderful home remedies for constipation.

• Eat 2 small raw beets in the morning (you should see results in 12 hours).

Consult with a doctor before treating constipation in babies and young children.

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