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.
Olive Oil and Orange Juice
Posted by Nicki (Ontario, Canada) on 12/23/2006
★★★★★
It's not on this site, I don't think. For severe constipation (I had no movement for 5 days), I tried equal amounts of olive oil and orange juice. I had 1 cup of this in total, you may be able to get away with less. Within 15 minutes, there was movement. I was able to have many soft bowel movements after that. It was incredible. I also find eating 1/3 cup of Bran with Psyillium every day will help in getting back on track, going forward.
Replied by Allie
(New Haven, Connecticut)
08/01/2009
★☆☆☆☆
Over the Counter
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, Ny) on 10/26/2011
★★★★★
Speaking to a nephrologist about a member of the family who is on dialysis, I asked about Magnesium Citrate as a supplement. He said that Citrate products are not used on dialysis patients because it was seen that Calcium Citrate increases aluminum in the bodies of dialysis patients. (In kidney failure, the kidneys cannot filter out aluminum, and dialysis does not either. Normal kidneys filter out aluminum. ) But what about all the people who have partial kidney failure and don't even know it. So we stopped using the Magnesium Citrate, just as a precaution.
Instead experimentation was made using one to two tablespoons Benefiber from the pharmacy (one can use up to six tablespoons Benefiber a day) in one or two glasses of water, in combination with one or two (or three) tablespoons Milk of Magnesia - sometimes also with some Magnesium Bicarbonate (made by pouring two or three full measuring tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia - a half to three fourths of the enclosed cap - into a bottle of seltzer/club soda and shaking the contents - as recommended on Earthclinic by Bill from San Fernando, Philippines - but sometimes using a bit less Milk of Magnesia than recommended).
Glucomannan, a fiber supplement recommended by Pam from Alabama, might also be used with the water and Milk of Magnesia.
Milk of Magnesia, starting at five Tbsp. and going down gradually, is recommended, in the name of an older doctor, by Redclary from Oklahoma .
Some extra seltzer/club soda, recommended by Carol from Cumberland, MD, is also helpful (used in the mixture).
This simple combination of Benefiber and Milk of Magnesia in water is much better than many other things used to help the intestines.
After a few days one can often use smaller amounts of the Milk of Magnesia while increasing slightly the Benefiber.
Benefiber is a fiber supplement that helps increase good bacteria in the body. It is made from Hydrolyzed guar gum. For some reason it is better than plain Guar Gum. Also, it is mostly tasteless and does not thicken.
Pineapples
Posted by Winston (Sf, Ca) on 10/14/2012
★★★★★
Don't know about the juice but a good sized portion on fresh, not frozen pineapple is a very effective natural acting laxative.
Pineapples
Posted by Lisa (Missouri) on 08/22/2006
★★★★★
Pineapples! Fresh pineapple juice works great. I have a juicer and have it every morning. I'm not sure about store bought seeing as they usually have additives in the juice. A juicer is the best investment you'll ever make.
Plum Juice
Posted by Leigh Ann F. (Abilene, Tx) on 05/13/2017
★★★★★
I've learned from 94 yrs old lady to drink plum juice. I drank whole container from grocery store. Wait a while n true enough it flush bowel movement. More importantly, make sure to eat enough fiber foods to keep your stomach digest well. If not enough fiber then it constipated like flour, meat, sugar, n anything junkie.
Pomegranate Juice
Posted by Delores (Atlanta, Georgia)
★★★★★
1/4 cup of pure Pomegranate concentrate with 16 oz. water, twice daily. Adjust as needed. This works wonders for constipation.
Popcorn
Posted by Katzie (Canada) on 01/02/2022
★★★★★
I have found that one big bowl of buttery popcorn (w/salt & vinegar shaker seasoning, ! ), and a big bottle of water at night works every single time the next day. Happy munching!
Position
Posted by Angela (Bloomfield,, New Jersey) on 10/05/2011
★★★★★
I have suffered from constipation in a very bad way for a very long time. I don't know what this exercise is called but a friend of mine recently told me to kneel down then sit on the back of my legs as though I was sitting on a chair and wait for the sensation that I want to go comes. It works like a charm. The first few times took about 15 minutes. After that, it happened in about 5 minutes. Works every time. If the floor is too hard, sit on the bed or sofa. Can't wait to hear your experiences.
Replied by Olivia
(Minnesota)
02/27/2016
★★★★★
Position
Posted by Brittany (Vegas, Nevada) on 03/31/2009
★★★★★
Constipation cured by Body Position while having a bm
You were not meant to have a bowel movement while sitting down on a toilet. We were meant to have one while squatting. You can achieve a better position if you bring your head down to your knees while on the toilet. It also may help if you have a stool to put your feet on. You will notice that your bm's are bigger, longer, and come out more easily.
Probiotics
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, British Columbia) on 09/24/2020
★★★★★
I finally cured my constipation when a friend gave me some probiotic capsules to try. They were 80 billion strength and after taking one a day for five days I noticed a marked improvement in my bowel movements. Every movement was smooth and made without effort. Doing some research I discovered that taking anti-biotics can sometimes knock out your natural gut bacteria which aids in the digestive process and that is what happened to me when I was given anti-biotics for a bladder infection. Probiotics help to grow gut bacteria to replace that which was destroyed by the antibiotics. I understand that yogurt contains probiotics but not enough to make a difference. It is only necessary to take the probiotics for seven days in order to get the gut bacteria re-established then put them away. If constipation returns then do another seven days of one capsule per day.
Replied by Rituparn
(India, Delhi)
09/25/2020
Replied by noel
(merced)
08/29/2024
Prune Juice
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 02/18/2021
★★★★★
A classic cure for constipation is prune juice. The fruit works as a natural laxative because it has high amounts of fiber, and contains sorbitol. Sorbitol softens stools because it is a natural carbohydrate that is not easily ingested, causing it to draw a lot of water as it passes through the intestines and adding bulk to stool. Be careful though-too much and sorbitol can cause gas and make stool too soft.
Drink one glass of prune juice (8oz) in the morning and one at night to relieve constipation. It should start working within a few hours, so it's important to let one glass pass through your intestines before attempting to drink another or else you risk diarrhea. You can also eat several prunes instead of drinking the juice if you prefer.
Prune Juice
Posted by Bilja (Toronto, Ontario) on 03/10/2013
★★★★★
Prune Juice for Constipation... Not personal experience, but family member, having constipation as taking many different medications and pain killers treating other issues. Tried acv, and olive oil w/ lemon juice, slow results. However drinking glass of prune juice gave relief in shortest possible time, very smooth and easy experience with bowel movement as never before in last 10 days. Just want to share with all.
Prune Juice
Posted by John (Baltimore, Maryland) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★
Ever since my wife and I were married she would drink a glass of prune juice 2 times per week. This resulted in not only a cleansing but an end to constipation after trying it myself. It is also good to drink a glass of water as well to wash it down.
Prune or Celery Juice
Posted by Danica (Boston, MA) on 10/12/2024
★★★★★
My mom always had prune juice in the house for those occasional bouts of constipation. I would image 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup would be plenty as it is very sweet.
The other thing that works like a charm is celery juice, but I find it less gentle than prune juice. You will be cleaned out, but the need to go can come on somewhat abruptly and with a vengeance.
I love this site and look for natural remedies for everything. Thank you, Earth Clinic!
Psyllium
Posted by KC (Columbia, South Carolina) on 07/02/2006
★★★★★
I have tried and am still using this for constipation and bloating. This only cost me $6 for 1 lb. and it has been a miracle for me. I had tried Colonix for colon cleansing and it was a very dramatic experience for me. I believe it was more or less a laxative with additives to get you addicted and it gave you close to diarrhea. I felt like had to go to the bathroom all of the time. So I had developed even more anxiety which lead to IBS I believe. Anyways- It has been a few months and I tried this cheap natural remedy and it works! I've been using it a little more than a week and I've seen greater results than Colonix had ever promised. I just followed the recipe on this site which had led me to the road of happiness. Thanks!
