The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Quebracho Colorado, Horse Chestnut
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/03/2026
★★★★★
Quebracho colorado and Horse Chestnut extracts for Bloating and for Constipation
There is a supplement containing both red quebracho (not white, which is for lung issues) and horse chestnut extracts that have been shown in many studies to be very helpful for bloating and for motility issues. It lowers methane in the body. (Methane slows peristalsis, and increases bloating, constipation, obesity and other intestinal issues.) Although the name cannot be mentioned here, it is worth investigating. In the health food store, as well as online, it got unusually good reviews.
Resistant Starch + Wheat Bran
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/03/2026
Update 2 - The raw starch was really not helpful.
Cabbage
Posted by Shal (India) on 04/08/2026
Only cabbage and water to be mixed . Do I have to add salt or anything else, pls guide
Triphala Churna
Posted by Aaron (MT) on 03/14/2026 14 posts
★★★★★
Hi Lukas,
I use the brand Organic India. It tastes "better" than others, but is still horrific. I drink it in a Coffee cup and might drink another cup of water afterward, but it doesn't seem to matter. The Pear has no relation to the effectiveness as far as I can tell, it is a Detox fruit so it's good, but it's main use is to rapidly kill the taste of the Triphala.
Triphala Churna
Posted by lukas (texas) on 03/07/2026
Hi Aaron,
Which exact product do you use which gives you almost instant bowel movement at a 10 ram dose?
How much water do you drink with the powder?
Without eating pear will still be effective?
Triphala Churna
Posted by Aaron (MT) on 03/05/2026 14 posts
★★★★★
Triphala works as people have said, however if an almost instant laxative is needed, I use 10 Grams of the powder mixed in Warm Water.
Cautions with the powder... It tastes Horrific, so have a Detox fruit like a Pear cut up and ready to immediately eat to kill the taste before you brush your teeth. It's so bad, it will make your mouth parts angry.
Also, do not boil water because it will take forever to get down. Do not use Cold water because it will taste worse, if that's possible. Something you can mix up real quick and get down as fast as humanly possible, and on to the Pear.
Colonic or Abdominal Massage
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 02/11/2026
★★★★★
Abdominal massages help treat constipation. Deep tissue or other types.
There are AI instructions on abdominal self-massage.
This is a link for abdominal massage for children.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xxof2ILd6H4&pp=0gcJCUABo7VqN5tD
Weight-Bearing Exercises, Psoas Muscle Massage
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 02/04/2026
★★★★★
Weight Bearing Exercises and Massage of Psoas Muscle for Constipation Relief
In addition to avoiding or minimizing constipating foods, exercising with weights (resistance training, weight lifting) using moderate weights can help relieve constipation. Sometimes relief can be felt quickly, sometimes several hours later.
Quora in response to - Does a gym workout like weight lifting help with digestive issues? features a long AI response about the many benefits of resistance training (weight lifting) for relief. Squats, lifts, presses and rows are recommended. But overstraining must be avoided.
Psoas muscle massage can also help. A respondent, Tara Marie on Quora, answering - Does getting a massage help with digestion? mentioned that massaging the Psoas for twenty minutes helped a stroke victim. There is a simple video on Psoas release titled: Excellent SELF Manual Release Technique for PSOAS MAJOR - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-_XizhE2i9E
It is important to minimize fried foods, dense foods (dense proteins), for some people dairy and for some people gluten, white rice, and iron and calcium supplements - and foods containing these supplements such as white flour and many breakfast cereals, (Ferrous fumarate is an exception. It is a form of iron that is not constipating.)
Although, for some people gluten should be minimized, a study showed that more effective than laxatives is rye bread, made only from 100% whole rye flour.
A quarter or a third teaspoon Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and a pinch or two of Cream of Tartar (potassium bitartrate) in a half cup of water in the evening may also be helpful. Too much Magnesium may cause dependency and also eventually stop working, so the less the better, and preferably not every day. Cream of Tartar (which may cause weight gain) is very high in Potassium and overdosing (taking tablespoons) may cause heart arrhythmia.
Prune Juice
Posted by SUNNY (CA) on 01/24/2026
★★★★★
This should be up there as a remedie for constipation like #2 I drank 1 personal bottle when I had something stuck in my intestines and it go it right out. If your scared just drink 1/2. the bottle. I'm definitely doing a cleansing every year just to clean things up. Its why its been passed down by the ancients. Recommend!
Acupressure
Posted by Julie (Zanesville) on 12/29/2025
More confused now than ever...
Probiotics
Posted by Shal (India) on 11/29/2025
can you pls specify which probiotic you are taking for constipation and the one which has not suited you so I can see strains
Probiotics
Posted by coril (Sweden) on 11/28/2025
★★★★★
About a month ago I switched to a new probiotic brand...I never had any issues with the old one but I came across this product that had 20 strains of bacteria instead of the 5 strains of the brand I was taking for the same price, so I thought ohhhh let's do an upgrade...well what I got was the worst constipation of my life. I never had any constipation issues before. After two weeks of taking it I was HORRIBLY plugged up. Just pure misery. I suspected the probiotics since nothing else had really changed in my diet and stopped them...it took a while after resuming to my old brand of probiotics but now, two more weeks later it seems my digestion is coming back to where it used to be. Just effortless daily bowel movements. So thankful! What also seemed to help me during the worst times was coffee with some baking soda in it and spoonful of olive oil beforehand...apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut and kombucha (be super careful with your teeth though...they can mess up your enamel for good...I am speaking from experience...), plenty of fiber - in terms of veggies, okra seemed to be a very good choice.
Also in terms of the probiotics, I just wanted to add that I did a bit of research and it seems my old brand specifically had strains that are actually known to help with constipation...so if you suffer from this condition, don't just take any brand, do you research and find a brand that has lots of the types of bacteria that are known to be particularly good for constipation.
I hope this helps someone out there, I now know how truly miserable it can be to be constipated!
Apples
Posted by Ruralady (Illinois) on 11/22/2025 221 posts
Don't forget to eat the apple seeds, full of natural cyanide and that keeps the doctor away!!
Apples
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 11/22/2025
★★★★★
I have always been prone to constipation. Staying off dairy has helped a lot most of my adult life, combined with taking magnesium at bedtime, but sometimes that is not enough. Stress and travel seem to make my body resistant to regularity. Recently however, I have been enjoying an apple or two a day as a snack, with almond butter. I don't know that I have ever been this regular in my life. A significant cold has affected so many that I spend time with and thus far I have been spared. Perhaps an apple a day does keep the doctor away!
~Mama to Many~
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by SUNNY (Ca) on 11/10/2025
★★★★★
Olive oil works because it lubricates the intestines. I take a shot of cold pressed olive oil I like Pompeian brand and then chase it with lemon juice and a bit of water after. It is also very important to massage your belly with any oil from up to the center across then down like an incomplete square. You can see an example on Youtube. I also say walk as much as you can like 2 miles and also do exercises where you move you belly like Bellly dance or Yoga that moves you belly. Try not to eat anything until you poop. This really works as you need to move the poop down thru lubrication and motion. Do it asap as constipation feels horrible!
Pass it Foward - Sunny
Senna Leaf Tea
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 11/09/2025
Hi Luke. I too found that cascara was not effective with serious constipation. Aloe ferox is. I take it in capsule form, with a cup of water. If I have mild consipation, I take 1 capsule (340 mg mixed with fennel, Nature's Way Aloelax). I used to take pure aloe ferox, but have not been able to find it these days. Plus 1 capsule of slippery elm. Works great, overnight.
If more serious, I take 2 caps. Adding psyllium also helps, as needed. Many years ago, I had very serious constipation, so bad I finally went for a series of colonics just to get the hardened stuff out. And the lady recommended aloe ferox. The stuff is amazing. I've never suffered like that again.
Senna Leaf Tea
Posted by Luke (Bethel) on 11/09/2025
Hi Vera,
How do you consume cascara and aloe forex? Do you make a tea out of them or ingest them as powder?
If you make a tea, how exactly do you make the tea? Like powder to water ratio, covered cup or not, for how long do you steep them?
I tried 1 teaspoon of cascara for 7 consecutive days but they were not as effective like 4 grams of senna leaves steeped in 250ml boiling water covered cup one dose only.
Never tried aloe ferox, which brand(s) do you use?
Thank you
Senna Leaf Tea
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 11/08/2025
There are other herbs that work well, better than senna. Cascara sagrada is one, and aloe ferox is another -- my go to herb now. No cramping at all.
Senna Leaf Tea
Posted by Luke (Bethel) on 11/08/2025
Hi all,
Which exact type/species of Senna was recommended by mohammed in the quran and how was back then prepared?
Is it possible to drastically or completely eliminate the gripping/cramping/stabbing effects of Senna? If it is possible, how?
Thank you.
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Elaine (MN) on 10/10/2025
All nuts are coated with phytates so they don't sprout at the wrong time. You should only consume organic soaked and dried nuts. They are available online. Phytates in your body damages the mineral baseline.
Brazil Nuts
Posted by Elaine (MN) on 10/10/2025
All nuts are coated with phytates so they don't sprout at the wrong time. You should only consume organic soaked and dried nuts. They are available online. Phytates in your body damages the mineral baseline.
Hot Tea
Posted by john (texas) on 08/28/2025
Hi Kegan,
The hot tea should be sipped while/during eating one's meal or should be ingested right after one finished a meal?
Thank you
P.S. If somebody knows the answer please respond.
Baking Soda
Posted by Sasha (Jamaica) on 08/12/2025
★★★★★
Baking soda works for constipation relief but I.find that there is an art using it. I mix one teaspoon in a glass of water and drink it on an empty stomach right before bedtime.
Make sure you thoroughly mix it out in the water and ensure that you only use one leveled teaspoon in a glass of water. If you use more than that, it may not work and you may end up with a headache the next day.
Also, ensure that your stomach is empty. Drink it at least 2 hours after your last meal. 3 to 4 hours after is even better.
This method works for me. If I overdo it, I get a terrible headache and it does not work. I'm guessing that it raises my sodium levels and blood pressure if I use more than the teaspoonful.
Castor Oil
Posted by Mary (Hampshire) on 04/26/2025
★★★★★
I realise this is an old post, but for others, I had constipation for years, then took castor oil. I took 3 tablespoons and OMG! I certainly had a complete clear-out a few hours later and it kept up for 2 days. Don't take a lot and expect to be able to go out for a day or two. Now, as soon as I feel it is starting again I have a teaspoon and this works. I too use the 100% certified organic. Wonderful stuff.
Bran, Guar Gum, Molasses
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 02/25/2025
★★★★★
A third tsp unprocessed coarse bran, with around a quarter tsp or so of guar gum/or other such fiber in a cup of warm water, with an added pinch (or occasionally two) of Epsom salt, a little MCT or coconut or olive oil, and a tsp honey/molasses taken several times a day is helpful.
Small amounts of magnesium, even taking a larger dosage from time to time, but not every day, might be helpful.
Herbal remedies for constipation containing senna or other stimulant herbs stop working eventually. First, there is a need for higher and higher dosages and then even the higher dosages hardly work. Even taking high amounts of magnesium products like magnesium citrate over a long time (a year or so) will end up hardly working. And the body's natural peristalsis is damaged. Miralax is less habit forming, but it can cause nervousness (or anxiety or sleeplessness) in some people.
Fiber foods taken with a lot of water are helpful.
(There is an antibiotic - Erythromycin that has been shown to help severe constipation in children. https://www.scielo.br/j/bjmbr/a/NGMt3N7mkbn49xnzYB8mYYS/)
Avoiding/minimizing fried foods, too much protein, and refined and processed foods is important.
Coffee
Posted by SUNNY (Ca) on 02/03/2025
★★★★★
A poop Dr. on YouTube said that bloating is due to constipation. I agree. Coffee makes me go right away. I had major bloating and remembered I hadn't pooped regularly. I took one cup of coffee and cleaned my house to move around and like 20 minutes later has so much relief and pooped. Don't eat stuff that makes you stuck or gives you gas. But if you need it coffee is the best!!
Carrot Soup
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 01/13/2025
★★★★★
Carrot Soup for Infants and Adults with Acute or Chronic Intestinal Disturbances
Medical Council – A Monthly Journal for the Physican and Surgeon. Volume 15,1910
For infants suffering from acute or chronic intestinal disturbances, E. Moro highly recommends a soup prepared as follows : Five hundred grams of carrots are peeled, mashed and boiled out with water, until 375 grams remain. The mass is then rubbed through a very fine sieve and added together with 6 gm. Of salt to 1 liter of broth. This soup was given to infants from two weeks to six months old with the best results. In acute cases the vomiting and diarrhea will cease in from one to three days and the fever and general symptoms of marasmus will rapidly disappear. In the chronic affection and in infants suffering from atrophy the result is no less prompt, and a rapid gain in weight can be noted . The stools are soft, very copious, and yellow or reddish-yellow. One of the most pronounced results following feeding with carrot soup is retention of water within the system of the infant.- Muench . Med. Woch.
Carrot juice every day helps clear up constipation, premote loose stools, relief from piles, and kills worms in the intestinal tract. Kitchen Clinic Home Remedies for Common Ailments Pub. 2011
Dry Mustard in Water
Posted by Shal (Noida India) on 01/03/2025
Can you please tell which mustard seeds yellow or black and how much quantity and should I grind or not?
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Dano (Ontario) on 01/02/2025
If your constipation is chronic, then I would suggest using the Ayurvedic herbal formula called Triphala. It is very well suited to long term daily use and its benefits increase with time to address more than just constipation.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by A.M.S. (New York) on 01/02/2025
UPDATE: Stopped working as well when I had even a tiny amount of bread, such as on vacation. Hoping it still works when eating clean again. Read that ground flaxseed can also be a huge help, will add that to the mix.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by A.M.S. (New York) on 12/17/2024
★★★★★
Lemon juice and olive oil worked! I have had issues for over 10 years and have tried everything - probiotics, enzymes, aloe vera, magnesium, psyllium husk. I eat healthy - oatmeal, fruit, greens, beets, etc. No bread or cheese, which stops all movement due to food sensitivities. Nothing has worked as well as Olive Oil and Lemon Juice in a WARM glass of water every morning. One lemon, 1-2 TBS of olive oil in a warm glass of water. I also take psyllium husk (powder or pill) which was not working on its own until I added the olive oil. The two together within the same day is the key for me. Additionally, the olive oil has helped lose some weight as a healthy fat. I am so thankful for this website.
Red Yeast Rice
Posted by Zander (Anytown, USA) on 11/05/2024
★★★★★
I learned about red yeast rice as an aid for high cholesterol. But the potential downsides of the substance I learned on this site made me decide not to take it, regularly. (Not to mention the "high cholesterol" criteria as per alopathic medical standards is suspect to begin with, at best.)
Still, I had a bottle of it and I kept it. I had noticed the few times I had taken it before I decided to discontinue its use, it had relieved constipation. I thought I would try it again as I was having this issue that had persisted for almost three days. And it did work! I'm not sure why, but it seems to work for me.
Celery Ginger Juice
Posted by Mary Anne Haskins (Marengo IL) on 11/01/2024
What's the combination ratio of celery stalks (juiced) and add to it what amount of ginger root?
