How to treat constipation holistically. Although it is a trivial, minor condition, constipation causes great discomfort both physically and mentally. Going to the toilet is difficult, your stools are hard and your abdomen is swollen and painful, you feel irritable for no good reason and you may even have headaches.

What causes constipation?

- poor diet, high in fat and low in fiber;

-Lack of adequate hydration causing dehydration of stools;

- a sedentary lifestyle which slows down intestinal transit and metabolic burns;

- Sometimes the cause of constipation originates in our mind: the embarrassment of defecating in a strange place when traveling or moving to a new place with new people;

- menstruation and pregnancy can slow down bowel transit;

- taking antispasmodics can cause secondary constipation

How to treat constipation holistically

Nutrition

• eat fresh fruits and vegetables that stimulate intestinal peristalsis;

• prunes and dried figs can be an effective remedy: soak a few prunes and 2-3 figs in the evening and consume them in the morning on an empty stomach, after drinking a cup of warm water.

• Yoghurt is also very beneficial for stimulating digestion, and by containing probiotics, which restore intestinal flora;

• You can also try teas with a laxative effect, such as aniseed, elderflower, elderflower etc.

How to treat constipation holistically: Homeopathy

For constipation Graphites (especially for constipation with dry stools and mucus, or constipation occurring during the menstrual cycle); Alumina, in case of soft seats expelled with effort; Opiumin the case of hard, black stools; Plumbum metallicumin the case of dry, hard and very small stools and in the case of false defecation. For occasional constipation during travel is recommended Ignatia 7CH or with Platinum 7 CH in the absence of pain.

Massage

We recommend massaging the abdomen, with gentle clockwise movements, 5-10 minutes/day. Massage with sesame oil is recommended (increases peristalsis). You can also try abdominal massage Chi Nei Tsang, which helps to heal the digestive system and eliminate abdominal tension.

Wellness tip: Did you know that by rubbing your bare left knee with round movements with both palms, you can stimulate the sensation of defecation?

How to treat constipation holistically: Aromatherapy

Basil oils and ginger are recommended in cases of constipation: take one drop a day of one or other of these oils with a little honey or on a small piece of bread, during a meal, but do not exceed 20 days of treatment.

Phytotherapy

- Some plant extracts are laxative and act like dietary fiber, increasing stool bulk by hydration: oat tartrate, algae or algae extracts (focus, agar-agar), glues (sterculia).

- other plants act as stimulant laxatives, which cause contractions of the intestines: aloe, gooseberry, cascara, rhubarb and senna.

- mucilage laxatives, such as nalba mare, nalba, psyllium or ispaghula seeds have a mucilage-rich coating, help form a gel that soothes irritation and lubricates the stools. Soak a teaspoon of seeds in 100 ml of water overnight (or 2 hours in warm water) and eat them before meals with at least 200 ml of water.

Enjoy a normal bowel transit with the help of the natural remedies proposed!

Bibliography:

Stephanre Korsia-Meffre, Alternative Medicines, RAO Publishing House, 2007