Constipation is an incredibly common problem. It can be caused by foods you eat or avoid, lifestyle choices, medication or disease.

Constipation relief may be as close as your kitchen!

These natural home remedies for constipation will help get your bowels back on track.

1. Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds make great home remedies for constipation. The oily composition of sesame seeds works to moisturize the intestines, which can help if dry stools are a problem and provide constipation relief. Add the seeds to cereals or salads for crunch, or pulverize them in a coffee grinder and sprinkle on food like a seasoning.

2. Mint or Ginger tea

Peppermint contains menthol, which has an antispasmodic effect that relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract. Ginger is a “warming” herb that causes the inside of the body to generate more heat; this can help speed up sluggish digestion.

Here is the recipe https://www.verywellfit.com/ginger-tea-recipe-88180

3. Lemon water

The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant to your digestive system and can help flush toxins from your body, providing constipation relief. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water every morning, or add lemon to tea.

4. Cup of coffee

Caffeinated coffee can stimulate your gut in the same way that a meal can. Coffee may also contain small amounts of soluble fibers that help prevent constipation by improving the balance of your gut bacteria. Coffee is also a diuretic, however, so make sure to keep drinking water or your constipation could become worse.

5. Prune Juice and Prunes

Prunes are high in fiber and sorbitol, a carbohydrate the body digests slowly. As the fiber and sorbitol move along the intestines, they collect water which softens fecal matter. Start with an 8 oz glass of prune juice or 2-3 prunes.

6. Water

Staying hydrated facilitates digestion and supports muscle function. When the body receives enough water, the digestive system can process nutrients and move wastes along smoothly. Generally, you should divide your body weight in half, take that number and drink that many ounces of water.

7. Baking Soda and Warm Water

Mix one teaspoon of baking soda in a quarter cup of warm water. Supposedly, this mixture should relieve pain and pressure associated with constipation, and the bicarbonate is believed to reduce the symptoms associated with heartburn. The faster you drink it up, the more effective it seems to be.

Anything else?

Constipation is an uncomfortable problem with a number of underlying causes.

If this is a problem for you, then you should definitely speak to your nutritionist to identify the potential cause and find an effective treatment protocol.

That being said, many of the natural home remedies in this article can also provide significant relief.

By Priyanshi Bhatnagar