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.
Raw Rice
Posted by Erin (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/05/2010
★★★★★
Age: 22
I feel like I have been constipated my whole life. But when I started eating raw rice for breakfast as part of a parasite purge program, I immediatly began having daily bowel movements. What I do is this: Drink 1 cup of warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. After about 20 minutes I eat 1/4 cup of raw rice. I soak the rice in water overnight to make it softer on my teeth. The rice should be chewed until it is liquid and then swallowed. I don't eat anything else until lunch (as part of the program, you are supposed to wait 3 hours so that the rice is the only thing going through you). About an hour after I eat the rice, I have the smoothest, most enjoyable bowel movements.
I think this works because raw rice can not be digested, so it passes right through you, scraping out the crevices of your intestines and pushing waste along.
This will probably work even in the absense of the lemon water, but I have never tried it. The lemon water first and then the raw rice is working great for me so I've never tried it without the lemon water.
**If you eat the rice and then eat other food without giving the rice sufficient time to digest, you will end up bloated with a terrbile stomach ache!
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.
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.
Acupressure
Posted by Asif (London) on 04/17/2023
★★★★★
I found that spot and I had instant relief from the pain of constipation as well as bloating. I think the two pressure points from the crease of elbow which is easy to find is all you need to massage and it stops pain.
Acupressure
Posted by Cheri (South West Tx) on 02/13/2016
★★★★★
a million thanks to you for the explanation on where to do the accupressure. people - IT WORKS.
I have a family member w/chronic constipation due to medication and most times things are working as I give flax seed, good yogurt, steel cut oatmeal, etc etc BUT sometimes the elimination is delayed I guess you'd say.
WELL, simply doing this right/left, twice had the results. What a relief to know this and not have to resort to other attempts with the milk of magnesium etc.
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.
Kelp
Posted by Jay (Altoona, Florida) on 06/01/2008
★★★★★
After many years of struggling with chronic constipation the answer finally appeared from the ocean. Each evening before retiring I mix a (TBS) Tablespoon of powdered kelp and dulse flakes into 4+ounces of cold water and drink. I no longer get colds, acid reflux, or fever blisters. I buy my seaweed in bulk form.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Tandy (Orange County, CA) on 05/17/2008
★★★★★
Constipation remedy (lemon juice and olive oil) -- thank you for posting this remedy. i have had bowl movement problems since i was in highschool and i've gone to the doctors taken medication and many laxatives and even gone to the emergancy because it got so bad with stomach pains. But this actually worked for me. i just tried it worked. thankyou so much. i'm going to keep this in mind.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Fitnessgal (Fort Worth, Tx) on 09/03/2012
★★★★★
So very thankful to have found this solution as I am 8 months pregnant and there are not a lot of things I can try for constipation. It had been over a week since I've been able to go with no avail. I took 1 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice, & a pinch of salt. It took 5 hours and finally had a small movement. Then in another hour had another small movement. The next day I was able to go again. I'm so much more comfortable now! Will skip a day and then take the solution again at bedtime as another user suggested. Thanks for posting this!!!!!!!
Olive Oil and Orange Juice
Posted by susan (jupiter, florida) on 11/26/2007
★★★★★
I tried the olive oil and orange juice remedy for the constipation. It worked within ten minutes without stomach cramping and awful side effects like all the other over the counter laxatives can do. Thank you very much, I wish I found this remedy sooner.
Garlic
Posted by Rick (Victoria, Australia) on 11/24/2006
★★★★★
Cut garlic clove into small pieces. Swallow them in one go with just a little water. This cures Bloating, stomach cramps and constipation.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Kat (USA) on 07/16/2006
★★★★★
Lemon Juice/Olive Oil is one of the best & natural ways that I was able to stop my constipation. I had everything I needed at home. The lemon and oil didn't mix completely, but i would put a pinch of salt in the lemon juice to take away the sourness.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Enza (Hamilton, ON CANADA) on 07/06/2006
★★★★★
1 TBSP FRESH SQUEEZED LEMON MIXED WITH 1 TBSP OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. Take mixture 2-3 times a day until it relieves constipation. Stop taking the mixture once you have a normal bowel movement. It works great.
Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
Posted by Kalia (DC, United States) on 06/11/2008
★★★★★
Constipation Remedies: wow! This worked within 3 minutes and 15 seconds. I highly recommend the orange/lemon juice and olive oil treatment for anyone suffering the agony of immobile bowel.
Acupressure
Posted by Boomer (Edmonton, Ab) on 11/03/2009
★★★★★
Make sure if you rub your stomache that you do it in a clockwise motion. Rubbing counter clockwise can result in increased constipation and can cause problems with your intestines.
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.
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!
Kvass
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/06/2024
★★★★★
Kvass, or fermented rye bread or beet water, helps lessen constipation.
A simple way to make this is just to place in a jar some dried out rye sourdough bread slices, (slices can be dried in the oven or even just on the counter). Add boiling water to fill the jar. One slice of the bread can be added later when the water not that hot. A teaspoon of salt can also be added to the mixture. Put a lid on the jar. (Maybe mix it every day.) After 3-5 days the water will have a pleasant tangy taste. (The bread can be removed after a day or two or earlier.)
This is not a professional kvass, which also has sugar or honey and some yeast added to it.
There is also beet kvass that is also helpful for many.
Resistant Starch + Wheat Bran
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/20/2024
★★★★★
Resistant Starch such as Potato or Corn Starch w/Wheat Bran in Water for Constipation
Taking a little (start with a quarter teaspoon, then gradually increase the amount) potato or corn starch in water once or twice a day helps to increase good bacteria in the colon. This should be taken with some other fiber, such as wheat bran.
Studies have shown that taking this starch/water mixture increased the good bacteria in the colon. Still, the good bacteria weren't propagating throughout the whole colon. Adding a little (wheat) bran together with the starch effected that the good bacteria spread throughout the whole colon.
Resistant Starch + Wheat Bran
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 06/06/2024
Update.
The raw starch is not easy on the intestines.
Maybe, just using one fourth teaspoon (or a bit more) starch several times a week is enough. This together with some wheat or other bran.
Grapefruit
Posted by Mimi (Texas) on 09/29/2023
★★★★★
Grapefruit for Constipation
I eat a few slices of grapefruit and some grapefruit juice with my breakfast in the morning.
Hope this helps.
Flaxseed
Posted by Katrina (Massachusetts) on 08/09/2023
★★★★★
I have been suffering from chronic, severe constipation and hemorrhoids lately as a result from eating too many sugary foods all at once, a switch in thyroid med/dose, and stress, as well as (possibly) a lack of fiber (I've been afraid it will make me more constipated)...After a miserable morning where I finally did go, but it was so hard and dry and I thought I had a blockage and was going to need to go to the hospital! After I finally cleared out, I was terrified of that happening again, as I've been struggling with constipation for the past almost 2 weeks! I tried ground flaxseed (which I ground myself and keep refrigerated in a glass jar) mixed into water yesterday. (I used 4 tsps in about 16-20 ounces of water.) I let it sit for a while to let that gel-like substance come into the water and I drank that throughout the day. I like the taste of flaxseeds (nutty) and had a soft, painless bowel movement for the first time in many days yesterday afternoon! Then had to go again in the evening (mostly diarrhea, but welcome that right now over constipation and further hemorrhoid irritation)! I also had a smooth poo this morning.
