Relieving constipation with Herbal Medicine
Natural herbs can help with constipation
Of all the gastrointestinal problems that affect people one of the most common is constipation. Around the world millions of people are suffering with constipation and experiencing symptoms such as hard stools, painful bowel movements and difficulty going to the toilet. The constipation problem arises when you don’t notice it and at the beginning you may not see any real problem. However, if left untreated constipation can become so severe it can lead to ruptured intestines, bleeding in the rectum, prolapses and anal fissures.
Herbal medicine and natural remedies can provide a solution to your constipation without the chemical harshness of over-the-counter drugs. Herbal remedies can be used over a prolonged period where drugs and laxatives will have associated side-effects if used long-term. Herbal medicine is a natural way to relieve your constipation.
How constipation occurs and what herbal medicine can do
Constipation occurs in the body when there is a problem with the function of the intestines and in particular the colon. When we eat food it travels into the stomach (to be broken down) then passes through the intestines and into the colon. Once in the colon, water is absorbed and the muscle walls move it along. The body takes what nutrients it needs and the rest is passed on to the rectum as waste. This waste is what we refer to as ‘stools’ and tends to be hardened as the colon has absorbed water from it. Constipation arises when the colon has taken too much water and the stool becomes too hard.
Bowel movements vary from person to person – some people have one evacuation a day whereas others may have more. Not having your required number of evacuations does not necessarily mean you are constipated but if this continues over a longer period then constipation may be the problem. Symptoms of constipation that should be looked out for include tight and painful movements of the bowel, passing a stool with difficulty, a heavy or swollen abdomen, stools that appear hard or discoloured, fewer than three evacuations per week and a sensation that you’ve not completed an evacuation which is then followed by stomach cramps.
Typically constipation is a sign that you have nutritional needs that are being ignored and these are usually a lack of water and fibre. These two natural remedies often have a sufficient effect on constipation and a fibre-rich diet usually equals smooth bowel movements. Other options are fruit juices and vegetable juices which will also flush out the colon. For further constipation relief, herbal medicine can provide the answer.
Herbal medicine remedies for constipation relief
The best option when considering herbal remedies for constipation is to visit a trained herbal medicine practitioner as care should be taken to avoid diarrhoea and dehydration. Some natural herbs a herbalist will recommend for constipation will include aloe vera and cascara sagrada. Liquorice is also used as well as dandelion root which is a useful herbal laxative.
A trained herbalist will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history and lifestyle before prescribing a selection of herbs to alleviate your problem. They will also offer you nutritional advice or refer you to a nutritionist to help make changes to your diet and lifestyle. A combination of herbs and lifestyle/dietary changes can provide effective relief to your constipation problem and also give you the start to better physical and mental well-being.
Article submitted by
Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist
Date published
10/09/08
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December 12th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Much constipation is caused by people thinking they should have only one bowel movement a day. Logically, it is better to have one bm for each meal eaten – otherwise the bowel is acting as a reservoir, which was not intended. To achieve 2-3 bowel movements a day, regularly, is something which herbs can help a great deal. You have to know the right ones, though; and it’s not Senna!
October 15th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Thank you for emphasizing the importance of consulting a trained herbalist in order to gain benefit from herbs safely.