Treating Constipation Naturally
Constipation is such a common issue, it can leave you feeling sluggish, bloated, and very uncomfortable.
That heavy feeling you get when things aren’t moving the way they should, can drain all of your energy and make everything feel like hard work. I have helped so many people with this issue, and they quickly feel lighter and more energetic, the transformation is wonderful.
Homeopathic remedies such as Lycopodium or Carbo Vegetabilis can really help in this area, without being like a laxative which is undesirable in itself. Laxatives can cause a sudden urge making you feel desperate, and are not ideal when you are not in a relaxed comfortable environment or near a nice toilet! Remedies gently stimulate your body to get things moving by itself, naturally.
But alongside homeopathic remedies, there are a few other things that you can do to help yourself. These may be obvious, but the amount of people I speak to who seem to know this but still don’t do it.
The first is to drink more water! Your body will thank you so much for this in so many ways. We should be drinking an average cup size of water for every half an hour that we are awake. Drink it constantly throughout the day, in small sips, little and often. If you tend to glug down a big glass to save on time, your body will not benefit from this.
Drink warm/tepid or even hot water – you should never drink iced water as each time you do it causes havoc on your digestive system and shocks it into not working properly. Herbal teas are also good, as long as they are not caffeinated. Avoiding caffeine altogether will also help your system reset and restore balance. Oh and don’t be misled by decaf teas and coffees, these have had the caffeine reduced but they still contain a high amount.
Movement and exercise are fantastic at helping your digestive system to work properly. If we lead sluggish, sedentary lifestyles, it will be of no surprise that your insides will work in the same, slow way. Human beings are designed to be active and to move about. If you are able to increase the amount of movement you do each day, this will be so beneficial to you. You can start off slow and build it up, I’m not asking you to go and run a marathon, but going for a walk, or doing a bit of stretching at home will be a good start.
Diet is quite an obvious one, but increasing your daily fruit and veg will help. Cutting out all processed foods is, without question, the quickest way to restore gut health. Processed foods, fast food in particular, put such a toll on your system that the nutritional value is outweighed by the energy it takes for your body to deal with them, causing you to have an energy deficit after eating rather than fuelling you.
What I always say to clients – the thing that will get you the best results – is listen to your body.
If your tummy feels uncomfortable because you’ve eaten a certain food, have a break from that food and don’t eat it for a while. If you always react negatively to dairy for example, you won’t start to feel better unless you stop eating it.
These foods don’t necessarily have to be eliminated forever, just while you are having a bad reaction. Once you give your body a break, it’s amazing how much it can tolerate again after it has recovered and been reset.
I hope this has been helpful and given you some food for thought. I work with people to find individual remedies tailored to suit your exact needs. But it is a partnership, you have to be willing to put in some work yourself, and this way, I find you get outstanding, lasting results.
I am a homeopath based in Ilfracombe, North Devon. I offer consultations online or face-to-face. Please email me zoe@zoebrowning.com for more details and to discuss your requirements.