Constipation
Natural Remedies

Easy Home Remedies for Constipation Relief

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.

Glycerin

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
(1) 
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Posted by Marcia (Utah) on 10/15/2015
★★★★★

Glycerin suppositories are the best remedy for constipation. They work within minutes. I can eat constipating foods like dairy or meat and still have a good bowel movement with the glycerin suppositories. I do one in the mornings if I have been eating constipating foods. Otherwise I don't need one. My friend who is 60 has been using them for 30 years with no negative side effects.

Replied by Jillybeans
(somewhere in the south)
02/07/2021
86 posts

I have gotten dependent on glycerine suppositories... like I cannot use the bathroom hardly at all even after using them. I think they might be fine here and there for me but every day might be too much for some ppl.


Grapefruit

1 User Review
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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.


Grapefruit Seed Extract +

1 User Review
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Posted by Nat (Brooklyn, NY) on 07/11/2023
★★★★★

Grapefruit Seed Extract, Ume Plum Vinegar, Coconut water for Constipation

Taking around 20 drops of Grapefruit Seed in about two or three ounces of water in the morning (and sometimes again in the afternoon) helps for Constipation.

Also, it is beneficial to take it with about a half tsp of Ume Plum Vinegar. (ingredients: ume plum, sea salt, beefsteak leaf-shiso. Both an America and a Japanese company sell the vinegar. Using presently the plum vinegar from the American company.)

Sometimes it is beneficial to take a mixture of around a tsp of ume plum vinegar in a cup of water or coconut water 10-20 minutes later and another tsp of ume plum vinegar in another cup of water or coconut water another 20 minutes later. The very salty vinegar and the coconut water both give benefit. A few shakes of cream of tartar powder can also be added to the water.


Green Iced Tea

1 User Review
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Posted by Loie (Naples, Fl) on 09/30/2014
★★★★★

I have tried many different remedies from an early age.....over the counter and natural.....for my lifelong battle with constipation and nothing last more than a few months. I started drinking organic green iced tea in place of water all day long, knowing that I will get the water that my body needs while enjoying the taste of the iced tea.(I hate plain water). After about 2-3 weeks I noticed that I was having a BM every morning and sometimes in the afternoon! Every day....no straining.

I have had this problem since I was a little girl. I am now 71 years old and wish I had found this organic green iced tea solution a long time ago.

Not sure this would work for everyone, but it sure works for me.


Herbs

3 User Reviews
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Posted by Ringgo (Jakarta-Indonesia) on 10/07/2015
★★★★★

Hi,

All of you are making complicated claim about constipation. All you needs is Senna Leaf or Folium Sennae, in Chinese name "FAN XIE YE" you could buy at TCM Store in the state.

Very cheap. just take 5 small leaves and boil in hot water. Just like tea. No side effect. Natural.

Good Luck!

Replied by Nat
(Brooklyn NY)
08/18/2022

Senna leaf is only for very short-term use, or for use from time to time.

To a lesser extent, the same applies to Magnesium Citrate and other supplements that have a stimulant action on the body.

When people use senna leaf over a long period of time, they will keep needing more and more of it. And then it will stop working. (This could take even a year. First, they won't notice how they keep needing more and more of it. and then they will suddenly notice that it is no longer effective.) And when they stop using it, their constipation will be worse than ever. For natural peristaltic action will no longer work. The same thing happens with long-term use of magnesium citrate and other supplements that have a stimulant action on the body.

Bill
(Philippines)
08/19/2022

Hi Nat...I take senna leaf tea every once and a while, been doing that for many years. For me, if I drink senna tea in the evening then I will definitely have a substantial poop the next morning. My poop urgency isn't that huge and the poop itself comes out soft and quick but not explosively.

On the other hand when my wife drinks the senna tea then she will have a stronger poop urgency then me (yup, she runs to the toilet! ) and will have between 3 to 5 poops the next morning and they can be rather explosive. So my wife is quite sensitive to senna's effects in the intestines, whereas I seem to have few problems using the senna tea. Horses for courses, I guess.

I've also read that you must never take senna everyday because doing so will harm the liver. But once in a while is OK. I also like using senna because -- from all the research -- it also kills a wide variety of bad bacteria and parasites in the intestines.

I must also disagree with what you said about magnesium supplements in general in this thread. I've been taking magnesium chloride -- at a higher dosage -- twice a day for about 15 yrs. I also use mag chloride combined with DMSO for tired or aching muscles and I can confirm that it works a treat!

Ted is also quite correct when he says that we eat far too much calcium in our supermarket diets. All the grains, bread, corn flakes, sports drinks etc that you buy in the supermarket are all over-fortified with too much calcium and no magnesium. That's why I take magnesium chloride regularly, which helps to balance and regulate any excess calcium in the body.

And for sure you better be very careful what you are led to believe about RDA dosages from the FDA. About 50 years ago the advised dosage for magnesium supplements was only about 200 mgs per day. The RDA dosage that the FDA now recommend is between 350 mgs and 420 mgs per day, which I think is still way too low -- it's just a clueless guessing game for the FDA because they really don't give a single hoot about proper mineral nutrition for the body. That's also why, on some days, I take much higher dosages of magnesium. And if you take too much magnesium the worst that can happen to you is that you get loose stools or diarrhea. And the intestines and kidneys will always act to self regulate proper electrolyte levels(including magnesium) in the blood.

I'm 72 y.o. and I've been taking high dose magnesium chloride(and Borax) regularly for about 15 years. And that's probably why I have no arthritis, rheumatism or any other aches and pains in my body right now. And there are more than a few days when my combined magnesium intake is probably above 1000mgs per day. That gives me soft stools with no other noticeable side-effects. But I'm not you. So it's like I said, horses for courses. That means that you should always find the best dose for yourself. Call it your own, personalized, orthomolecular dose if you like...that's the way to do it because your body always knows best.


Herbs
Posted by Man (Sojournor In America) on 01/03/2014
★★★★★

If speeding up your bowels is the issue then I know what to tell you here. You will need Cayenne pepper, distilled water. Take a small amount of cayenne pepper and put it in a bottle of distilled water. Drink it all day long. Shake up the bottle each time you take a swig. And by the end of the week of doing that you should be running well. I would also consider Extra virgin Olive oil with turmeric to take once in a while too as necessary.


Herbs
Posted by Sweet Pea (Somewhere, USA) on 01/27/2013
★★★★★

You may really want to try Cascara Sagrada for your constipation. It's an aged bark that the Indians used. I couldn't believe my relults when I first used it. It worked overnight with no cramping at all. In fact, when I headed to the bathroom I didn't even know I was going to "go"! You can get it on the internet or at a health food store and it's not expensive. Make sure you read the whole label. Hope this helps you!

EC: Cascara Sagrada, sacred bark, is evidently a species of buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana, from the Western US and Canada.

Replied by Tigerlil
(Lead Hill, Ar)
03/02/2013

Have used cascara for years. Works well, but after seeing a program on laxative abuse, I thought I would do a little more research. It is in fact a stimulate laxative. It is not to be used by someone with U.C. or Crohns, or IBD. Well, guess what, I have some of these issues. And have been trying very hard to find ways to help myself. So I will be trying other remedies as this may actually be working against me.

Recommended to use it only occasionally. And not longer that 7 days. I have used it by itself or in formulas since the 1980s!

Also it can turn the lining of colon dark. It can and does! Some varying opinions as to whether or not this can later cause a problem.

Replied by Sweet Pea
(Somewhere, Usa)
03/03/2013

I should have mentioned that I only use Cascara Sagrada for severe constipation. Other than that I would probably just drink good old prune juice. I wonder if you have tried coconut oil, iodine, and yogurt and other fermented foods for your issues? I always felt my gut was calmer with organic yogurt.


Honey

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Gail (Powell, Wyoming) on 11/15/2005
★★★★★

I struggled with severe constipation for years, and it was getting worse. I tried many natural products and had always tried to stay away from harsh laxatives. I had a colonoscopy several months ago just to see if there was anything wrong. I did have 2 pre-cancerous polyps but no blockage. I had resorted to taking Golytely twice a day per my physician's recommendations, with poor results. (Golytely is used as a bowel prep!) My chiropractor said I should try honey, 2 teaspoons, three times a day. I thought, yeah, right! It works! (Do not give honey to babies, it can cause botulism in infants).


Honey and Lemon

1 User Review
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Posted by Atisha (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on 07/12/2007
★★★★★

Hi all, I have been drinking honey & lemon concoction in water warm on an empty stomach for the past 6 days. This is my 6th day & i had noticed my bowel movement has been regular since the duration of consuming the concoction. It's amazing. Try it!


Honey With Olive Oil, Oranges

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
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Posted by Cheryl (Bakersfield, California ) on 12/01/2009
★★★★★

I just want to tell people that if they are severely constipated, that three or four tablespoons of honey can get your bowels moving, but they will move easier if you add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or any good oil, such as sunflower or safflower oil to the honey as well. And something else that usually will do the trick is two or three oranges ate one after the other. I used the honey method on a relative who had not had a bowel movement in over a week. After the dosage his bowels moved that evening!

Replied by Leo
(Atlanta, Ga.)
12/21/2012
★★★★★

I tried this tonight. I took 1 tablespoon olive oil and mixed with 1 tablespoon RAW honey. Then put the mixture in a water bottle with about 8-9oz water. Less than 15 mins later, I was in the bathroom! Thank you!


Hot Tea

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
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Posted by Kegan (Illinois) on 12/12/2006
★★★★★

Have you ever stopped to think about chinese people how with every meal no matter what meal they have hot tea?? well the reason behind it is, when you eat food's that have fat or oils in them you usually drink COLD bevarages after right?? Well that causes the fats to sit and harden, causing many problems constipation, clogged arteries, many! So when you eat something, try to drink something hot along with it and see what happens.....bet you will poop right on time and won't be constipated.


Juice

1 User Review
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Posted by Warren (Costa Mesa, Ca) on 05/26/2011
★★★★★

Great suggestions here. I make a smoothie every morning and have always used Rice Dream or Almond breeze but now use Papaya Juice instead. It helps to move things along along with whatever else you're doing.


Kelp

1 User Review
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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.


Kiwi

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Amelia (Westheimer) on 12/09/2023
★★★★★

I have had success with 1 kiwi and 1 or 2 tablespoons of yogurt right before I go to bed. It is the last thing I eat. When I wake up in the morning, I feel relief.


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!



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