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.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eve (Tampa, Florida) on 06/22/2009
★★★★★
I have had gastric bypass surgery and as a result when I eat things I am not supposed to, I often become constipated. Whenever this happens I grab a bag of baby spinach and make myself a salad. Within a few hours, I'm ready to get down to business!! I also stay 'regular' by drinking 2 tsp of ____ _____ in room temperature water every morning (on an empty stomach). This is the powder form of juiced barley grass but it does contain Maltodextrin.
Flax Seeds, Apple Cider Vinegar, Dates
Posted by Ali (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) on 06/17/2009
★★★★★
I found the following mixture worked well for my constipation problem,hope it will help others. Bring two cups of water to a boil and add two tablespoons of flax seeds, continue to boil for fifteen minutes, then strain off the flax seeds and discard seeds ,allow mixture to cool somewhat, it will be jelly like, add one teaspoon of apple cider vineger and stir. Drink one cup of this on an empty stomach one to two times a day depending on severity of constipation. If very constipated, be sure to also drink three cups of hot water through out the day. I have found a more pleasent remedy for mild constipation or just to stay regular try the following: Boil one cup of water and add six dates, allow to soak, when cool, drink the liquid and eat the dates. Take at bedtime for best results. Good health to all and A HUGE THANK YOU TO EARTH CLINIC.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eddi (Houston, Texas, USA) on 05/28/2009
★★★★★
Hi everyone, ACV does work and it has helped me in various situations. I mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in honey and I take one or two teaspoonfuls before or after meal once or twice a day. It clears my sore throat, soothes my tummy aches, made me lose weight, opened my sinuses during cold. Please do not overtake acv. Be moderate. I've been constipated and I've had two difficult b-movements ending in harsh stool and slight bleeding due to stretching of tissue. When I eat pumpkin pitas, I go next morning and stool is softened. Pumpkin is good, but not too much bread. Pumpkin pitas are found at Spanish and Mexican bakeries. It's a great snack and heals prostate problems, bladder, low in calories, high in betas, rich in potassium. It's no wonder, I always feel good after I eat pumpkin pitas. God bless and take care.:)
Water
Posted by Caitlin (Austin, tx) on 05/26/2009
★★★★★
Constipation: I spoke with a naturopathic doctor who said that ACV is great in limited amounts. Said that when you take too much, the stomach stops producing its own acid; it regulates itself to the acv and may produce smaller amounts which may account for constipation. I have personally found that drinking a lot more water can regulate my bowels more than anything else. Water is the key. I met a lady who said she drank about 2 gallons of water a day and lost 50 lbs she was carrying, mostly around her stomach. That's all she did. When I saw her later in the year she said her doctor told her to cut down on the water as it was flushing her nutrients out as well which was making her feel extremely tired. Cutting back to a gallon a day worked for her.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Rara (Dublin, Ireland) on 05/26/2009
★★★★★
Whenever I feel bloated/constipated I eat on whole cucumber and drink a cup of coffee. Within an hour it is effective every time.
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.
Water
Posted by Shelley (Mississauga, Canada) on 03/05/2009
★★★★★
re: Water and Carrots first thing in the morning.
Hello, constipation is not fun and there are many natural cures that work. I wanted to add another natural remedy because it works and its so simple. 1) Water; the body needs water. Usually when people wake up, they have coffee or some type of diuretic [cafefine], which is horrible if you have constipation. Drinking 1 glass of water as soon as you wake up is what our body yearns for. Drinking 1 glass of water (at room temperature)in the morning cured my constipation within 1 week. Of course during the day, you should drink more water, but first thing in the morning is the crucial step. 2) Carrots; not only are carrots delicious, they save our eyesight, protect our hearts, combats cancer, promotes weight loss, AND PREVENTS CONSTIPATION. I do not have constipation anymore, I hope this can help someone else. God Bless.
Lemons
Posted by Angie (Astoria, NY) on 01/17/2009
★★★★★
I was having problems having bowel movements. A friend recommended 2 tbsps of lemon juice in hot water on an empty stomach. It helped so much. I do this everyday and don't have problems anymore. I tried fiber supplements and became bloated with pain.
Oat Bran
Posted by Maribel (Miami, Florida) on 12/03/2008
★★★★★
FOR CONSTIPATION:
You go to Whole Foods and in the bulk section you buy OAT BRAN, it's very unexpensive. it is like powder and you just put 1-2 spoonfuls in your cereal or in anything and it's like magic, in less than 1 hour you have a bowel movement and natural not forced like with laxatives.
Acupressure
Posted by Susan (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) on 11/27/2008
★★★★★
For constipation, I use an acupressure point in the arm. The point is found when you bend the arm - for example, place your right hand on your left shoulder. At the bend of the elbow, use your left hand to locate the acupressure point about halfway between the crease of the bend and the bone. Massage that point for about 15 seconds, then switch to the other arm. Back and forth. I also do this while standing. Usually works within 10 to 15 minutes at most. Also, I have cut out wheat and all gluten grains. I did not think I had a gluten problem but found out that I have that sensitivity.
Molasses
Posted by Nisel (Crestline, CA) on 11/26/2008
★★★★★
I waited two months before sending my feedback on Blackstrap Molasses because I wanted to be sure it was working for me. I have had severe constipation since I was a young girl and am now 57. I have suffered much with this condition and have tried endless remedies without permanent relief. After reading the reviews, I decided to try Blackstrap Molasses; taking one table spoon in the morning and one table spoon in the evening (I also take one one teaspoon Cayenne Pepper in the morning and one in the evening). After two months I can honestly say that I am having one, and sometimes two bowel movements a day. To add to my joy, I also have more energy. I work full time and by the afternoons I am really tired, but have noticed lately that most days I feel fine during afternoon/eveing hours. I am amazed and very grateful to God and to your website for providing a miracle cure!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Linda (Erlanger, Ky) on 11/25/2008
★★★★★
Wow, I tried this concoction and yes indeed it works. Just a TBSP of each in a small glass, gulp it down, late in the PM and low and behold the next AM we have a BM! haha Thanks for the great advice!
Water
Posted by Marjorie K. (Las Vegas, NV, USA) on 11/22/2008
★★★★★
I learned as a director of a health retreat that the ans to most constipation problems was very easy. Drink lots and lots of water and walk at least 2 to 3 times a day. Generally within 24 hours the constipation was over. Now continue drinking at least 6 8OZ glassed of water a day and walk or even have a gentle massage or reiki treatment.
Cabbage
Posted by Mujahid (Tobyhanna, Pennsylanvia) on 08/31/2008
★★★★★
I stopped eating meat, and started eating cabbage everyday, yes gas is part of what is expected, but my bowel movement is now regulated, my system is cleansed, stool is no longer dark and there is no unbearable smell. my weight is going down. And most of all I feel better physically. I juice 8 oz twice a day. And eat 1/4 pound per day. Basil and Fennel and black pepper for flavor.
Molasses
Posted by Cathy (Cambridge, Oh) on 08/28/2008
★★★★★
Blackstap Molasses cured my constipation problem! I am an avid reader of your site and have received a lot of good info from all who post to it.
I have had bowel problems my entire life. I have been to numerous doctors and have been told that I have the longest colon they have ever seen and it has many twists and turns. After fighting with the doctors about my elimination problem they operated just to see what they could see. Low and behold, they found a large section of my colon that was folded over......leading to another operation to remove 18 inches of my colon. I thought that would solve my problem, but due to years of taking ovc laxitives just to survive and for all the meds the doctors thought would cure me, I developed a lazy colon. Well, to make a long story short....I saw and read the articles on Blackstrap Molasses and purchased some four days ago. I took a tablespoon in the morning and again at night. This has been the best thing that could ever have happened to me. After two days...I am having regular, soft, bowel movements. I am thankful and amazed. I will pass this on to all my friends who also have that problem. I will continue to read as much as possible on your site because I found the answer to a lifetime problem through it that even doctors couldn't help. Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
Coffee
Posted by Trisha (Berkeley, California) on 07/22/2008
★★★★★
In response to a reader's constipation problem: Try coffee! It may seem obvious, but in case you haven't tried it, a cup of coffee will get you going in no time at all! I drink it black every single morning and I am very regular. It always prompts digestion when I've eaten too much as well, and makes my stomach feel calmed.