Easy Home Remedies for Constipation Relief

Coconut Oil

Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/22/2010
★★★★★

I had candida, and one of my symptoms was constipation -- I was lucky if I had BM or went to toilet once in 4 days. And my stools were painful, dry and hard. As part of my own protocol to both kill the candida as well as to get rid of my constipation, I took 1 tbspns virgin coconut oil 3 times a day in my coffee or raw. I also alkalized at different times daily, using Ted's baking soda alkalizing remedies.

The effect of the coconut oil and baking soda can be explained like this. When the ingested coconut oil moves from the stomach to the duodenum, the pancreas squirts out its enzymes for digestion in bicarbonate solution into the duodenum. The bile from the liver breaks the coconut oil down into small droplets and the excess alkaline bicarbonate from the pancreas combines with the coconut oil to make a form of "soap" that greatly aids in passage of faeces down the intestines. But if you are lacking in bicarbonates stored in your pancreas or the food you eat is too acid, then you will need to increase your bicarbonate intake to increase this store.

I would normally take the coconut oil directly before or directly after meals. I would take the Baking soda remedy (any will do from this site), either one hour before or 2 hours after meals.

This had quite an effect, my stools soon became smaller and much softer as a result, and after a few months of this protocol, I became regular again, with BM every day.

It was, therefore, a combination of both taking coconut oil and increasing my bicarbonate intake(Baking Soda) that helped cure my own constipation problem.

Molasses

Posted by Dodie (LA, California) on 10/09/2007
★★★★★

I've been taking blackstrap molasses for a week now and thank goodness I've been getting 3 bowel movements a day!! I have a hard time getting bowel movements partially cause of the foods that I eat but I am working on it. Also, my father has the same issues. Also, my face is glowing and I've gotten a couple of comments and how good my skin looks! I hope it doesn't stop working for me.

Acidophilus

Posted by Lydia (Miami, FL) on 12/06/2006
★★★★★

I have been constipated for the past thirteen years due to meds and my years of suffering from anorexia and especially bulimia. I only eat healthy food and I HAVE tried everthing and wasted a lot of money to help my situation between doctors' visits, medicines and supplements. Lately the thing that is proving to be helpful is acidophilus (in the millions), All brand fiber cereal (I find it delicious) and magnesium (750mg/day) I have accepted mine as a hopeless case; however, this may help somebody out there!

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!

Flaxseed

Posted by Nancy (Albemarle, NC) on 08/25/2021
★★★★★

The best thing for constipation is flaxseed. I tried otc drugs, supplements, magnesium, nothing worked. One teaspoon of flax seed ground works put in coffee or tea or Sprinkle on food.

Acupressure

Posted by Natural in NY (NY) on 03/30/2021
★★★★★

I did not really Susan's post about acupressure on the arm from 2008 would work for me, but decided to give it a try. When I first pressed on the spot on my left arm, I could feel something in my stomach area. That was encouraging and so I kept switching back and forth for a bit. I still did not think it would actually work. However, within about 10 to 15 minutes from starting, I had the result I was looking for! I highly doubt this was by chance. To be fair, I did lightly massage my abdomen just below my belly button once. However, I really think it was the points on the arms described by Susan. I also was not sure I had the spots right and just kept rubbing in the general area, trying to cover enough ground to get it to work. I guess you don't have to be perfect. Thank you Susan and earthclinic!

Celery

Posted by Don (Michigan, USA) on 12/23/2019
★★★★★

This Holiday Season you may become “irregular“ from festive meals. Don't waste money on harsh chemicals like Miralax which is pretty much antifreeze. First thing in the morning on a empty stomach juice, blend or eat 2-3 ribs of celery with a large glass of water and in no time you will be your regular self.

Quit Caffeine

Posted by Jennifer (Napa, Ca) on 06/23/2018
★★★★★

Re a post about caffeine curing constipation -

Just the opposite! Quitting caffeine CURES constipation. If you stop drinking all forms of caffeine, you will cure your dreaded constipation. Being an avid coffee drinker for 20 years, I always believed coffee was the only thing that would make me “go”, albeit only 2 times per week(so unhealthy). I read about curing constipation by eliminating all forms of caffeine, which I swore I would never do, but then I read about so many other healthy side effects like deeper sleep, clearer skin, in addition to bowel movement regularity, and decided it was more than worth a try after dealing with constipation for as long as I can remember. I weened myself off caffeine and by Day 4 I started having regular bowel movements every day. I also slept better than I have my entire life by Day 6.

Looking back to my teenage years and in my twenties, I drank a lot of Diet Coke and had no idea how that caffeine was effecting my health. When I stop to think about all the things constipation kept me from doing all these years, it sickens me. Getting off caffeine takes a couple weeks but it's so worth the effort. I used to have dark circles under my eyes and they are now gone, and I've only been off caffeine for a month! Another awesome side effect? No more nasty hangovers!

That's right, I work in the wine industry and always thought the wine was giving me hangovers, until I quit caffeine and discovered I could drink wine and feel fine the next day! It was the caffeine withdrawal that compounded the dehydration that always caused my hangover, not to mention the pesticides in coffee, etc.

Water

Posted by Search4truth (Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines) on 09/23/2017 1 posts
★★★★★

I have tried numerous constipation remedies to create daily bowel movements as part of a detox protocol, but nothing worked consistently.

Until I read about drinking 1 liter of filtered water first thing in the morning when I woke up. It worked. After drinking my morning liter of water, I'll have an easy bowel movement usually within an hour or two. Sometimes just minutes. It used to be days. I don't know if the type of water is a factor, but I drink filtered mountain water where I live.

I do also have chronic health problems often characterized as Fibromyalgia which may be of some consequence.

Kiwi

Posted by Adrienne (Gold Coast) on 06/15/2015
★★★★★

I have suffered from constipation for years and have used many products including the best digestive enzymes and acidophillus available - I am also a nutritionist so I eat well and take heaps of the best supplements. I've also had colonics and massage to help.

The thing that has worked wonders for me without question is kiwi fruit. first thing on an empty stomach I eat 3 kiwi or blend them with another fruit and some chia seeds, and I have absolute success every time.

I think kiwi have the right ph for your gut health, are full of enzymes and also are slippery.

Try this and share!

Yellow Dock Tea

Posted by Sis Morgan (Monterey, Ca) on 11/15/2012
★★★★★

Yellow dock has worked for a chronic constipation problem where all other remedies failed. I had tried magnesium, and although this at first worked, it failed to work with repeated use. Likewise, a concerted try of psyllium powder did not produce the intended result. I had read about yellow dock in a Chinese herbal book and its wonderful, reliable effects for constipation, and read many testimonials in the book about the herb. I began to drink a tea of yellow dock at night. Results in the morning were immediate. The best part is that it has continued to work! I can now drink this tea every evening and go to bed knowing with certainty that I will have a bowel movement the next morning. It doesn't matter what I have eaten or even the amount of water I have drank during the day, the results are always reliable.

I have suffered from constipation for many years and this is a godsend remedy. You can buy yellow dock tea online for steeping or make your own tea from the dried root. I put about two teaspoons of yellow dock root in a metal tea strainer and pour boiling water over it and allow it to steep until the tea is a rich yellow tan. Begin with small doses for best results and work up to the dose that gives you results. Some people have to drink more than a cup a day for chronic problems. If you take too much yellow dock you can have intestinal cramps, so begin slowly for best results.

If you have had chronic constipation for many years with no help from the usual remedies, I highly recommend yellow dock tea. It has been a miracle herb for me. If the flavor is too bitter, mix some molasses with the hot tea. It's delicious!

Baking Soda

Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 09/06/2023

Just a quick comment regarding baking soda and aluminum: There's no aluminum in baking soda. It can be found in baking POWDER, but not baking soda. :)

Bentonite Clay

Posted by Joyce (Glasgow, Scotland) on 03/29/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I digested Psyllium and Bentonite clay for a colon cleanse. This was to ruin my whole life and caused immediate gastritis and triggered rosacea/rhinophyma. The onset of symptoms was abrupt, immediate and extremely severe. I now have blepharitis and meibomitis as a result.

I was very stupid and digesting this product has ruined my whole life. DO NOT TAKE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver) on 08/31/2019
★★★★☆

I've spent a lot of years taking various things for constipation but recently found a video that describes what not to take; in other words things to eliminate from your diet. The author of the video said to eliminate grains, eggs and dairy and to start the day with a cup of warm lemon water. I tried this and it worked within 24 hrs. Basically I cut out bread and eggs but still had a bit of butter on my cooked veggies. I have since found that I can tolerate one or two eggs and bread slices per day. For dinner I have beef, pork or chicken with vegetables and fresh fruit for dessert. This has largely eliminated any constipation issues. I find it interesting that the solution was so simple.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Robert (London, UK) on 07/23/2019
★★★★★

Since switching to a low-carb vegetarian diet for health reasons, I've had issues with mild constipation. I found the suggestions on the Earth Clinic website very helpful and I started trying them. My constipation has now gone, I am able to have an easy bowel movement every morning which is soft and moist.

I previously found that I couldn't eat egg yolks because they would block me up, but this is no longer the case.

The remedies the worked for me are as follows, starting with the most effective and proceeding in order down to the least effective: - 1/4 tsp of bicarbonate soda dissolved in 1/4 cup of water 1 hour after each meal. This is one of the remedies recommended by Parhatsathid Nabadalung (aka Ted from Bangkok, Thailand) in his book pH Balanced for Life! The Easiest Way to Alkalize. -

1 tbsp of olive oil dissolved in 1/4 cup of water every morning, after my bowel movement and before my first meal. - Before each bowel movement, drink 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water. - Eat some cucumber with every meal. I tried lots of other things including abdominal massage and eating coconut oil, but the above four worked the best for me. If anyone is interested in my diet, a typical meal for is 3 cups of vegetables with 2 boiled eggs, plenty of healthy fat (avocados, olive oil, coconut oil), and spices (garlic, ginger, turmeric etc). I drink plenty of plain water - I don't take other liquids.

Thank you to the people who run this site. You've helped me find a natural cure to my problem, which was causing me a lot of stress. I'm going to make a donation by way of thanks.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Lightbelly (Uk) on 02/12/2018
★★★★★

Hi- am reporting in that Epsom salts (ES) are the stars - had tried Senna tea, fibre, flax seed, water, lemon etc etc but to no avail. Had trouble locating it - pharmacies in the UK don't seem to sell the raw ingredients any more, and when it finally arrived (ebay) I tried it and nearly threw up. This was probably from having done maybe too many liver cleanses and developing an aversion to the taste. Thanks to EC - someone had suggested putting some lemon juice to hide the taste (why didn't I think of that?! ) and it really did the trick - a few drops of lime juice and no ew before bedtime. The morning relief is amazing, I'm sleeping again and the tension has gone, I feel lighter, more vital and ready to take action!

Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

Posted by Sharon (Queensland, Australia) on 05/16/2017
★★★★★

I was badly constipated. Very uncomfortable and a tad grumpy about my discomfort. I took 1 tsp of lemon juice with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mixed them together in a small glass, drank them straight down. It didn't taste gross. It barely tasted like anything at all.

20 minutes later, I felt like I may need to go to toilet, I wasn't quite sure but figured I'd try. I passed bowel movement really easily. Feel a thousand times better. Highly recommend this weird little concoction!!