Can we talk with extreme frankness, like adults? Yes, we can. Set aside any embarrassment and let’s talk about constipation, a topic that unites millions of people.
Having constipation is not a pleasant thing. The sense of heaviness from the “delays,” the tension in the abdomen is nerve-wracking, to the point of envying those who suffer from the opposite problem (wrongly, as the opposite is also annoying).
Certainly, in more complex cases, medications are needed. But for most of us, overcoming the problem without visiting the pharmacy can be an achievable goal, sometimes with just a change in lifestyle or diet. Walking a lot, for example, is of great help. Or we can rely on natural laxatives.
Let’s fight constipation and overcome stubborn constipation with nine remedies to manage as you like, because they are mostly free of side effects.
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Plums.
The most obvious of remedies, true, but “repetita iuvant” (repetition helps). Plums are one of the most effective methods of intestinal constipation. Officially recognised as a natural laxative, plums are also rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, potassium, iron, dietary fibre, and sorbitol, a substance attributed to its laxative effect as it promotes intestinal peristalsis.
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Aloe
Less obvious than plums, aloe vera is an essential ingredient in the home remedies kit and has a long medical tradition. Taking aloe juice daily has a laxative effect that helps bowel movement naturally. The Natural Standard shows strong scientific evidence of its benefits, and aloin fights constipation.
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Plantain
Plantain is rich in fibre, and a very effective remedy for constipation. Natural Standard reports there is good scientific evidence of its water-absorbing properties, softening and stimulating bowel transit.
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Apple
The best remedy at hand at home for constipation is the apple. According to a study from the Ohio State University School of Medicine, this fruit has pectin and fibre that promote healthy digestion. But beware: we achieve the laxative effect only by eating it with the peel!
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Onion
We may know it for making us cry and as an excellent ingredient to add flavour and aroma to meals, but onions are also a good natural laxative. Eating onions helps the active secretion of gastric juices and promotes the proper health of the intestinal flora. Additionally, it has quinine, which stimulates the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach functions. But it is by eating it cooked that its laxative properties increase.
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Garlic
Since the time of Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” we have talked about the laxative effect of garlic, which is not the only one of its properties. A small portion contains large amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that activate liver enzymes that help the body eliminate toxins. According to a study from the University of Pennsylvania, eating half a clove of raw garlic facilitates intestinal care and promotes the secretion of gastric juices. We recommend swallowing it whole, like a pill.
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Carrot
This delicious and fibre-rich vegetable is excellent for promoting digestion and stimulating the production of gastric juices, thus combating constipation. According to Harvard University, half a cup of carrots contains about 2 grams of fibre, a fundamental part of good digestive health. P.S. Eating it raw is also good for the teeth.
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Tomato
Surrounded by suspicions (even Gisele Bündchen stays away), cooked or raw, due to its fibre content and other substances, the tomato is a mild laxative that helps regulate intestinal function and reduces the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
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Liquorice
Liquorice root extract is one of the oldest and most widely used condiments in alternative medicine as a laxative. Drinking liquorice tea will help facilitate digestion and expel faeces more easily thanks to its natural laxative power. However, we do not recommend it for those with high blood pressure or blood pressure fluctuations.
This article was syndicated from Marie Claire Italy
