Constipation (medical: constipation) can seriously impair that affected ‘ quality of life: Defecation is difficult and painful – feces are usually hard and can be excreted only in small parts with great effort. The cause of constipation is usually harmless (e.g., stress, shift work). Sometimes diseases like diabetes are behind it. Read here everything you need to know about constipation symptoms and how you can successfully deal with them tea against constipation and constipation and some other natural methods.
Constipation in adults brief overview
When they have constipation, adults have a bowel movement less than three times a week. The chair is hard and can only be put down by strong pressure.
- Frequency: In Europe, about 30 to 60 percent of the population suffers from constipation – women about twice as often as men. Also, the frequency increases with age.
- Forms or causes: situational constipation (when someone is bedridden, stressed, etc.), chronic common constipation (eg, with a lack of fiber, often suppressed bowel movements), constipation due to medication, nervous disorders (eg, Code diabetes ), hormonal disorders (e.g., with hypothyroidism ), electrolyte disturbances or intestinal disease (irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, etc.), constipation during pregnancy
- Tips and home remedies: lots of exercises, a diet rich in fiber, anti-constipation (such as flaxseed), rest while eating, chew more food, drink enough fluids, avoid stress, regular relaxation, do not suppress the intestines, a glass of water in the morning empty stomach, morning massage, use of anti-constipation tea and other herbal herbs that will be listed in the text.
- Medical treatment: drugs against constipation (laxatives, stimulants of intestinal peristalsis = prokinetics), possible treatment of basic diseases as a cause of constipation (hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc.).
When we talk about constipation and when can we be sure that it is a constipation?
The frequency of bowel movements varies greatly from person to person. Some people have a chair every day; others just have to do their “big job” every few days. As for the frequency of bowel movements, experts say that everything between three times a day and three times a week is considered normal.
Doctors usually talk about constipation when someone.
He empties his bowels less than three times a week, he has to press hard, and the stool is hard and lumpy due to the length of stay in the intestines.
In practice, however, this definition is often not so clear – sometimes, people are considered “blocked” if they do not meet the medical criteria for constipation. For example, if someone empties their bowels three times a week, but the stool is tough and can only be emptied with strong pressure and pain, the person in question may also have a subjective impression of constipation.
Temporary constipation is not uncommon: most people occasionally have a slowed bowel, for example, because they do not move enough, drink too little fluid, and eat a low-fiber diet. Lifestyle changes usually move the gut quickly.
On the other side, chronic constipation is usually more difficult to deal with and is often associated with a high level of discomfort. Experts talk about chronic constipation if the subjectively unsatisfactory bowel movement has existed for at least three months, and this is accompanied by two of the following main symptoms in more than 25 percent of cases:
- strong pressure
- lumpy or hard stool
- the subjective feeling of incomplete bowel movement
- the subjective feeling of blockage or blockage (obstruction) in the rectum
- less than three bowel activities per week
Home remedies for constipation
With a proper diet and lifestyle, you can easily solve or even prevent constipation. The following tips will help you with constipation:
- Fiber-rich diet: Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Eat-in peace
- Thorough chewing: digestion begins in the mouth, chewing each bite enough.
- Drink enough fluids: Experts recommend a daily intake of two liters (e.g., water, mineral water, tea).
- Exercise: Constipation seems to be associated with a non-active lifestyle, especially in old age.
- Indulging in the urge to defecate: Do not suppress bowel movements, for example, because you wanted to defecate.
- Rest chair: Leave enough time to go to the toilet.
- Regular bowel movements: for example, always go to the bathroom in the morning after breakfast and stay seated for ten minutes, even if nothing happens. Often the body gradually gets used to it and then begins to use it for urination.
- Relaxation: When the body is under stress, it slows down the intestines’ work. Suitable relaxation methods are, for example, progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training.
If you are constipated despite these tips, the following home remedies can help.
Natural laxatives
Can home remedies really help with constipation? Yes, I can, but it usually takes patience. Unlike anti-constipation drugs, home remedies usually do not work immediately, but only after a few days.
Some foods have a natural laxative effect. They can be taken in case of constipation and stimulate digestion. These natural laxatives include:
Flaxseed for constipation
Flaxseed increases the volume of intestinal contents. In the case of constipation, this facilitates and accelerates defecation. To do this, adults consume one to two tablespoons or ten to 20 grams of whole or lightly crushed flaxseed between meals two to three times a day. It is important to ensure sufficient fluid intake: Take each part of the flaxseed with at least 150 milliliters of water.
The daily dose for adults is 45 grams of flaxseed. It is slightly lower in children: two to three times you can give two to four grams (1 to 3 years), three to six grams (4 to 9 years), or six to ten grams (10 to 15 years) of seeds per day – again with enough fluid.
Psyllium for constipation
On the one hand, mucus in the shell can swell in the intestines and increase the stool volume. This facilitates bowel emptying. On the other hand, this plant’s seeds bind free water and toxins in the intestines. In this way, Psyllium helps to release constipation.
If you want to use a home remedy for cleansing, take a teaspoon of psyllium with 200 milliliters of water or clear broth. Then quickly drink two glasses of water.
The daily dose for adults is 20 to 40 grams of psyllium or ten to 20 grams of psyllium shell (each divided into three individual doses).
Release and prevent constipation with olive oil
Why does olive oil help relieve constipation? It has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the accumulation of stomach acid. It has a laxative effect, i.e., it prevents constipation if you take a tablespoon of oil three times a day. Cold-pressed organic olive oil is especially suitable for relieving constipation.
Use muesli to loosen the blockage
Mix one teaspoon of flaxseed meal with 100 grams of natural yogurt and fresh fruit. Nutrients and lactic acid bacteria regulate the work of the digestive tract.
Tip: No special products labeled as “probiotic” are needed. “Normal” yogurt does the same thing – and is significantly cheaper.
Grandma’s laxative: apple cider vinegar for constipation
This is one of the tried and true home remedies against constipation, often called “Grandma’s laxative”: apple cider vinegar. It activates the production of gastric juice and thus stimulates digestion. And another nice effect: Apple cider vinegar starts the metabolism.
Before each meal, drink a glass of mineral water mixed with a spoonful apple cider vinegar.
Vegetable juice provides digestive fibers
100 milliliters of tomato juice, 100 milliliters of sauerkraut juice, and 50 milliliters of carrot juice, plus a pinch of chili or pepper.
The juice mixture is one of the most effective natural laxatives because it contains much fiber.
Apple cider vinegar, flaxseed, and vegetable juice are recommended if the constipation is mild and not chronic.
Why is tea used to treat constipation?
Regular consumption of fluids such as water and tea is one of the best ways to prevent constipation or treat it when symptoms appear. The more hydrated you are, the better your intestines are lubricated, and the more moisture remains in the stool.
Certain herbs in teas can help you meet your daily fluid needs. For example, Cascara has been used as a laxative for centuries. It is found in some herbal teas and the form of supplements.
Senna is another plant that many people use as a laxative. Like the cascara of tea from the outer shells of coffee beans, it is found in teas with herbal medicines, and you can take it as a supplement.
This plant interferes with the reabsorption of water in the large intestine to retain more moisture in the stool.
Herbal teas, such as those containing hay or cascara, should only be used for short-term relief of constipation.
Anti-constipation tea for better digestion
Tea is an ideal remedy for stomach problems. But which tea helps against constipation, gas or diarrhea? In the text we will list the best digestive teas for you.
Green and black tea against diarrhea
Both green and black tea can help with diarrhea. Be sure to let the tea simmer for a long time, about ten to fifteen minutes, after brewing both types of tea. This is important so that all the tea leaves’ tannins, which can inhibit diarrhea, dissolve.
Herbal tea helps with intestinal problems
Alternatively, mint tea, chamomile tea or other herbal teas can be used for digestive or intestinal problems . For example, chamomile tea has an antibacterial effect, and mint tea relieves cramps.
Chamomile tea for constipation
Chamomile constipation tea. Chamomile is such a wonderful herb that it can help relieve diarrhea and constipation. The reason for that is the previously mentioned antibacterial and the soothing effect of chamomile tea. In combination, chamomile tea, licorice root, and cumin tea work best as constipation tea.
Hay tea against constipation
Senna is one of the most famous and most commonly used laxative ingredients in teas. Senna tea is made from the dried leaves and pods of the Senna Alexandrina bush.
The hay plant contains compounds called glycosides that stimulate the digestive system. This can have laxative effects.
Many over-the-counter laxative tablets contain higher concentrations of hay than teas. These pills can be very effective in relieving constipation.
Mint tea
Mint tea is a popular natural remedy for indigestion, and many OTC remedies for indigestion contain mint extract.
The calming effect of menthol in peppermint can help relax an upset stomach as the stool moves through the intestines.
Drinking a cup of mint tea after each meal can benefit people who have constipation and an upset stomach.
Ginger tea
When constipation results from poor digestion, ginger root can help. Many people use ginger tea to soothe irritation in the digestive system and improve digestion.
Ginger anti-constipation tea can help digestion after a hearty meal. Drinking 1 or 2 cups every day, after a meal, can help the body process food and empty the bowels more easily.
Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea can help with mild digestive symptoms, such as bloating or occasional constipation.
Dandelion can stimulate the liver to produce bile, which can indirectly help with constipation.
Dandelion tea can also act as a diuretic in the body, adding more water to the digestive system and stool. This can help alleviate mild constipation.
To facilitate the digestion process, try drinking a cup of dandelion tea after a meal.
Licorice root
Tea made from licorice root is a popular tonic for digestive problems. Licorice root has an anti-inflammatory effect and can help with digestion.
After you finish your meal, drinking a cup of licorice tea can calm the digestive system and encourage bowel movements.
Marshmallow root
Marshmallow root can have a similar calming effect as licorice, and its laxative properties make it a common ingredient in medicinal teas.
Perhaps it is best to drink a cup of this tea before the end of the day.
Parsley
Parsley is a common plant that can help with digestive disorders .
Tea that includes the leaves or seeds of the plant can help relieve mild constipation.
Traditionally, people chewed leaves or stems to solve problems such as bad breath and bloating.
Risk of tea for constipation
Are herbal teas safe for children?
Ask your doctor about the best ways to treat constipation in children. Some OTC laxatives are available in doses for younger people.
Are herbal teas regulated?
Therefore, the strength of the ingredients may vary from product to product. Also, some teas include other untested ingredients.
Side effects of herbal teas
The active ingredients of teas can also interact with some medications.
Before taking tea to relieve constipation, ask your doctor or pharmacist if the ingredients will work with any current medications.
Long-term use of tea for constipation
Constipation and digestion teas can help with occasional constipation bouts, but they are not a long-term solution.
If a person notices reliance on laxative teas, he should consult a doctor to diagnose the cause of chronic constipation. Your doctor may recommend long-term effective treatment.
Chronic constipation can signal an underlying condition, so forming an accurate diagnosis is very important.
Anyone unsure about the risks or benefits of teas or other herbal products should discuss them with a healthcare professional.
