Constipation is a condition characterized by extreme difficulty in emptying the bowels. It is characterized by hardening of the feces. Ayurvedic remedies have been considered since a long time to support healthy bowel movements. Acute constipation can also be a sign of Crohn s disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of constipation:
1. Immense strain during bowel movements
2. Inability to have proper bowel movements
3. A feeling of being blocked up from within
4. Hard and dry feces

How can you get rid of constipation with Ayurvedic remedies?

Increase fluid intake: If you are suffering from constipation, it is vital to drink about 80 ounces of herbal tea or water per day. Warm fluids are the best way to keep your body hydrated. These fluids should be consumed at least 20 minutes before a meal or 1 hour after a meal.
Increase organic oils in your diet: High quality oil helps lubricate your body tissues, so that appropriate amount of fat or oil can remain in the stool. Most oils are healthy, but the healthiest oils include olive oil, ghee and sesame oil.
Eat plenty of healthy fruits: Fruits are fibrous, hydrating and generally pacifying to your body. Fruits such as peaches, soaked prunes, soaked raisins, peeled apples and bananas should be consumed. It is vital to eat the fruits about an hour before your meals. While consuming these fruits, you should chew on them properly to attain maximum benefit. Pineapple juice is also very effective in facilitating bowel movements.
Consume soaked flax seeds or milk with ghee: Before going to bed, you should drink a cup of boiled milk with ghee or a tablespoon of flaxseeds soaked in a glass of water. This is an ideal remedy for constipation.
Herbs:  Triphala  herb (a traditional Ayurvedic herb) are generally prescribed by the Ayurvedic practitioners. It can be taken either in the tablet form or powdered form with a glass of warm water. Psyllium husk is also a natural source of insoluble and soluble fiber. It serves as a bulking agent and a demulcent in the colon. This facilitates the regular passing of feces.

Ayurvedic Ways To Help You Get Rid Of Constipation!

Bowel movement is extremely important for the body. An abnormal bowel movement can lead to a painful, hard and dry stool. If the constipation is accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss, abdominal pain and blood in stool, it should be immediately reported to the doctor. For patients who face chronic constipation, there are some great remedies which can be tried at home to fetch great results: 

Olive oil: Olive oil is a healthy fat that can relieve constipation. It not only stimulates the digestive system, but also ensures that the colon functions properly and constipation is prevented. 1 tablespoon of olive oil should be consumed daily in empty stomach.
Lemon: Fresh lemon is a great agent for the stomach. The citric acid found in fresh lemon acts as a great stimulant for the digestive system. Furthermore, it has the ability to flush out undigested materials and harmful toxins that have queued up along the colon walls. It should be consumed every alternate day with 1 cup of warm water.
Molasses: Blackstrap molasses acts as a great agent for relieving chronic constipation. The vitamin, magnesium and mineral content of the molasses make them a perfect solution for the digestive tract. Due to their high fat content, they should be consumed on alternate days. 1 tablespoon of molasses in water should do the trick for addressing constipation.
Coffee: Apart from the fresh aroma of the coffee, they are a great stimulant for clearing constipation. 1-2 cups of it throughout the day should keep you in a good state. Over-consumption of caffeine, on the other hand, can have an opposite effect on the body. It dehydrates the body and constipation are set into motion.
Fibre intake: Natural fruits, grains and veggies such as apricots, beans, nuts, broccoli, potatoes etc. contain a lot of fibre. The body cannot digest fibre but it acts as a sponge and squeeze water from the surrounding making the stool soft and easy to pass. As a matter of fact, even plenty of water consumption helps the body a great deal in relieving constipation.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera has multiple health benefits. One of this includes the soothing effect of the tummy. 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera on a daily basis should be mixed with hot water and consumed before breakfast. Gel extracted from real Aloe Vera leaf serves a better purpose of relieving constipation that the ones that are available in the market.
Baking Soda: Baking soda contains bicarbonate, which squeezes air from the tummy and relieves an individual from the pressure and the pain. Other benefits of baking soda are its acid neutralising and stomach re-alkalizing effect on the stomach. Baking soda can be consumed with warm water on a daily basis.

Chronic Constipation - 7 Ways You Can manage It!

Ayurvedic medicines teach us that the health of the digestive system is the most important factor and determinant in the long term for your health and well-being. Healthy digestion leads to a healthy life and vice-a-versa. But is it always that simple? Yes! As, healthy digestion ensures that all the nutrients that are ingested through food are assimilated by the cells that compose it. When digestion is weak, the tissues of your body such as muscles, blood and nerves become weak and susceptible to disease. 

Symptoms of poor digestion include 

Excess gas
Constipation
Diarrhea
Belching
Burning
Vomiting
Indigestion
Swelling 
Pain
Through the eyes, the Ayurvedic practitioner comes to understand the cause of the disease, he does so by examining the patient's way of life. Incorrect eating habits are the first amongst many culprits. Poor food choices and poor diet, combined, are next in line. Together they are the main causes of digestive diseases.The following points play a key role in the Ayurvedic pathogenesis of digestive disorders. The nature of its imbalance and how it interacts determines how the disease occurs.

Jatharagni: This is the digestive fire that regulates the catabolism (breakdown) of food into smaller molecules for digestion. When the body is healthy, it is able to assimilate properly. When the initial digestion of the food is very weak, it is compromised, either the malabsorption will take place or ama will be formed. When it is too strong it produces burning.
Samana vayu: This is a sub-type vata that regulates the absorption of nutrients in the body. Assuming it decomposes properly, samana vayu can guide its absorption. Not only does samana vayu govern absorption, but it also directly affects the Agni as well as the wind when it blows over the fire. If the wind is strong, the fire is strong. If the wind is weak, the fire burns low. If the wind varies, so does the fire. A defective samana vayu can cause gas, diarrhea and malabsorption.
Apana vayu: This type of vata governs the downward movement. In particular, the excretion of toxins and feces. At the point when disposal is sound defecations are strong, yet delicate. When apana vayu is defective, a variety of problems such as constipation and diarrhea manifest themselves.
Kledak kapha: This type of kapha governs the mucous lining that protects the digestive system; in particular, of the stomach. When health is in balance, Agni and vayu also protect the membranes from heat or dryness. When there is an excess of mucus, it results in nausea. When it diminishes, the membranes become susceptible to the irritant effects of Agni and the effects that cause drying in vayu. In addition, an increase in the strength of kapha can block the digestive tract and cause constipation.

Constipation - Understanding The Ayurveda Prespective!

Constipation is a irritating problem that mostly occurs due to the absence of adequate amount of fibre or water in your diet. It is caused by slow movement of food through the digestive tract. Constipation can occur due to poor bowel habit, eating less fiber, medications, hormonal issues or some other disease.


Here are some common solutions that can seriously help you out in constipation:
Yogurt: Excellent source of probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria are a great remedy for constipation. However, you can take the humble homemade yogurt full of beneficial bacteria in your meal every day and get relief from constipation.
Oatmeal Tea: When things are severe, oatmeal is fibrous, honey is healing and moisturizing and chamomile is an anti-inflammatory agent, which soothes the stomach. Together, they can stop severe constipation. So, take a cup of water and add three teaspoons of oatmeal, a tea bag of chamomile and two teaspoons of honey. Drink 2-3 times a day if your problem is severe.
Baking soda: Baking soda is an effective cure for gas, pressure and pain in the digestive tract and stomach ache as excessive air is released from the body by its action. It also functions as a laxative by making the passage of accumulated waste products through the intestines a smooth process. Moreover, stool is loosened and passed without pain on its consumption. Directions - take a quarter cup of warm water and stir a teaspoon of baking soda into it. Consume the mixture as quickly as you can.
Castor oil: Castor oil is often referred to as a stimulant laxative and is a very useful remedy for constipation. Castor oil enables smooth movement and functioning of the intestines, making it easier for stool to pass.  Directions - drink 1 to 2 teaspoons of castor oil on an empty stomach. It takes about 8 hours to show its effect, so decide which time of the day will be suitable for you to consume it.
Coconut oil and flaxseed: A great combination coconut oil is a wonderful hydrating agent and eases stool. Flaxseeds help in the elimination of toxins, excess fat and cholesterol from the body. So in one tablespoon of coconut oil add half a teaspoon of flaxseeds, chew well and eat this every morning.

Need Relief From Constipation - 5 Ayurvedic Remedies at Your Rescue

4 natural laxatives to cure constipation

Constipation is a very common, but irritating problem that mostly occurs due to the absence of adequate amount of fibre or water in your diet. Also, a side effect of certain medications or less exercise can lead to constipation. Whatever may be the cause behind it, you can easily relieve yourself from this stomach ailment without consuming any drugs. Here are some natural laxatives, which are easily available in your kitchen and prove to be very effective in eliminating constipation.

1. Lemon

Lemon contains citric acid, which has the ability to stimulate the function of digestion in your body. The action of lemon on your digestive system enables it to get rid of the toxins and undigested material that generally accumulates on the colon's (the last part of your small intestine) walls, giving rise to constipation as a result.

Directions: collect the juice of 1 lemon in a cup by squeezing it. Fill the rest of the cup with warm water. Drink it every morning.

2. Castor oil

Castor oil is often referred to as a stimulant laxative and is a very useful remedy for constipation. Castor oil enables smooth movement and functioning of the intestines, making it easier for stool to pass.

Directions: drink 1 to 2 teaspoons of castor oil on an empty stomach. It takes about 8 hours to show its effect, so decide which time of the day will be suitable for you to consume it.

3. Aloe vera

Besides acting as a remedy for minor burns and cuts, aloe vera gel also helps soothe your stomach. It functions as a natural laxative by making your stool softer. Moreover, it aids in protein digestion and makes the muscular structure of your intestines stronger, consequently providing relief from constipation.

Directions: have 2 tablespoons of aloe gel every morning by mixing it with your glass of fruit juice, or consume 1 cup of aloe vera juice whenever you feel constipated.

4. Baking soda

Baking soda is an effective cure for gas, pressure and pain in the digestive tract, and stomach ache as excessive air is released from the body by its action. It also functions as a laxative by making the passage of accumulated waste products through the intestines a smooth process. Moreover, stools are loosened and passed without pain on its consumption.

Directions: take a quarter cup of warm water and stir a teaspoon of baking soda into it. Consume the mixture as quickly as you can.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'consult'.

Related Tip: 4 Major Causes of Constipation in Children (+ 2 Ways to Handle it)

4 Natural laxatives to cure constipation

Urinary Incontinence is the sudden urine loss that occurs involuntarily in women. Some of the factors which cause urinary incontinence are pregnancy, menopause and childbirth. It should be noted that urinary incontinence by itself is not a disease, but is a symptom of other underlying disorders such as diabetes, infections and other conditions.

Causes of temporary cases of urinary incontinence include:
1. Constipation
2. Urinary tract infections
3. Excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine
4. Consuming carbonated drinks
5. Use of artificial sweeteners
6. High doses of vitamin B and vitamin C
7. Being on sedatives, muscle relaxants, blood pressure and heart medications
8. Eatables which are too spicy, acidic or sugary

However, persistence of incontinence might be due to a more serious condition. Some of the causes are stated below:

Age: The bladder muscles tend to weaken with age. This affects the bladder s urine holding capacity.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and increase in weight during pregnancy can cause incontinence.
Menopause: Oestrogen is responsible for the healthy maintenance of the lining of the urethra and bladder. The onset of menopause causes the oestrogen hormone levels to drop. The gradual damage of the bladder tissues causes incontinence.
Childbirth: The bladder control muscles are weakened during normal vaginal delivery, thus leading to incontinence.
Obstruction: Occurrence of tumours in the urinary tract can block the normal flow of urine which can cause incontinence.
Hysterectomy: The same ligaments and muscles support both the bladder as well as the urethra. With removal of the uterus by hysterectomy, the pelvic floor muscles are deteriorated. This leads to urinary incontinence.
Neurological disorders: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis (autoimmune disorder in which the immune system destroys the protective sheath of the nerves), Parkinson s disease (disorder affecting motor functioning of the body), brain tumours, spinal injury or strokes are capable of causing incontinence.

Different forms of urinary incontinence are classified on the basis of their symptoms:

Urge incontinence: Urge or urgency incontinence occurs when there is a leak before the person reaches the toilet.
Stress incontinence: Small amounts of urine leak out during normal physical movements such as sneezing, coughing and exercising. This happens because of the minimum stress exerted on the body, and hence, the name.
Functional incontinence: Sudden leakage of urine occurs due to external deterrents or physical disabilities such as not being able to find a toilet.
Overactive Bladder: This is characterized by frequent and urgent urination.
Overflow incontinence: A full bladder, at times, leads to unexpected leakage.
Transient incontinence: If urine leakage occurs due to temporary situations such as infections, or new medications.

Did You Know - Constipation Can Also be a Sign of Urinary Incontinence

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