15 Most Effective Home Remedies For Constipation (With FAQs)

              

Do you find yourself spending a lot of time sitting on the toilet? Feeling a little backed up, perhaps? Chances are you are suffering from constipation. But, you are not alone. This is an uncomfortable and bothersome condition that affects many people from time to time.

You are constipated if you have less than three bowel movements in a week or have hard stools that are difficult to pass. It could be due to several reasons such as dehydration, lack of fiber in your diet, and sometimes even due to stress and hormonal issues. But hey, don’t you worry. Because we have just the thing for you.

Home remedies for constipation are usually enough to deal with this occasional and annoying condition. And we have 15 of the most effective home remedies for constipation right here. However, if your symptoms do not improve after a week of trying these natural remedies for constipation or if constipation comes with dizziness, fatigue, or cramping, consult a doctor immediately. There might be some serious underlying issues and if left undiagnosed they can cause serious health concerns. Note: Please make sure to consult the doctor. This article is in no way a replacement for medical advice. Also check out our guide on home remedies for puffy eyes as we list 15 proven remedies to treat them naturally!

    

       

    

   

15 Best Home Remedies For Constipation

    

 

1. Nuts & Seeds For Constipation

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon flaxseeds, ½ tablespoon sesame seeds, 1/2 tablespoon sunflower seeds, 6 to 8 almonds

How to: Combine all the ingredients and grind them into a powder. Take one tablespoon of this mix daily either with lukewarm water and add it to your oats, yogurt, salads, and smoothies.

Frequency: Once a day

Why it works: These shiny seeds are full of nutrients but most importantly, they are rich in dietary fiber which makes them one of the best home remedies for constipation. Flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and even almonds are super rich in soluble fiber that not only aids digestion but also makes the stools soft and easy to pass.

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2. Raisins, Yogurt And Flaxseeds For Constipation

Ingredients: 5 to 6 raisins, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon yogurt, 1 teaspoon flaxseeds

How to: Warm up the milk. Take the raisins and yogurt in a bowl. Add the lukewarm milk and stir gently a few times to give everything a good mix. Cover the bowl and leave it for 8 to 12 hours. Once the yogurt is set, top it up with flaxseeds and it is ready to eat.

Frequency: Once a day

Why it works: This simple raisin curd combined with flaxseeds is an instant Indian home remedy for constipation that comes straight from the traditional cures practiced by our grandmothers. Yogurt or curd is a rich source of probiotics aka gut-friendly bacteria. Raisins, on the other hand, are rich in prebiotics and soluble fiber. Together, they bring great relief from constipation.  

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3. Chebulic Myrobalan, Indian Senna and Gooseberry For Constipation

Ingredients: 2 parts chebulic myrobalan, 1 part Indian Senna, 1 part Indian gooseberry

How to: Grind these dried ingredients together and take 1 teaspoon daily with lukewarm water or milk.

Frequency: Once a day

Why it works: Senna has laxative properties and has been popularly used to treat constipation. Both chebulic myrobalan and Indian gooseberry powder aid digestion and remove blockages. They are also two of the ingredients used to make triphala powder which is yet another one of the Ayurvedic home remedies for constipation.

  

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4. Pears, Prunes And Clove Powder For Constipation

Ingredients: 2 chopped pears, 3 to 4 prunes, 1/8 teaspoon of clove powder

How to: Add about 2 inches of water in a medium-sized saucepan. Once the water has come to a boil, place the diced pears in a steamer on top of the boiling water. Cover them and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, take the prunes and place them in hot water for ten minutes. Drain the water and add the pears, prunes, and clove powder in a blender. Blend to make a smooth puree. Add water, if needed.

Frequency: 1 to 2 tablespoons daily

Why it works: This is an instant Indian home remedy for constipation for babies. Yes, babies. Even babies can suffer from constipation and this pear, prune, and clove puree can unclog their business effectively. Pears and prunes are rich in fiber. Moreover, they also contain a substance named sorbitol that gives them laxative properties. Alongside cloves, they also boost digestive health.

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5. Pumpkin, Prunes And Yogurt For Constipation

Ingredients: 3 cups chopped pumpkin, 3 to 4 prunes, ½ cup plain yogurt

How to: Add about 2 inches of water in a medium-sized saucepan and bring it to a boil. Place the chopped pumpkin in a steamer on top of the boiling water. Cover it and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or till the time the pumpkin can be pricked with a fork with ease. Meanwhile, soak the prunes in hot water for 10 minutes. You can also leave them soaked overnight for more benefits. Add the pumpkin, prunes, and yogurt to a blender. Blend into a smooth puree.

Frequency: 1 tablespoon daily till the condition improves

Why it works: This is yet another instant Indian home remedy for constipation for babies. Pumpkin brings relief from constipation as it is rich in fiber and magnesium, both of which aid add to its laxative property and aid bowel movements. Prunes contain dietary fiber and sorbitol that work similarly. Yogurt is a rich source of probiotics aka the gut-friendly bacteria which keep everything sorted within the digestive tract.

   

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6. Dates, Ghee And Pepper Mixture

Ingredients: 5 to 6 fresh dates, 1 teaspoon of ghee, a pinch of black pepper powder

How to: Chop the dates and mix them with ghee and black pepper.

Frequency: Consume on an empty stomach daily in the morning followed by a glass of warm water

Why it works: This is one of the traditional and renowned home remedies for constipation. Dates are extremely nutritious and come with several health benefits one of which is relief from constipation. They not only strengthen the digestive system but also exhibit laxative properties due to the presence of sorbitol. Ghee aids in the strengthening of intestinal walls, improves gut health, and relieves constipation.

Note: Avoid this remedy if you have a sensitive gut or suffer from IBS.

 

7. Ghee, Milk And Turmeric Mixture

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of ghee, 1 glass of milk, and a pinch of turmeric

How to: Add the ghee and turmeric to a glass of warm milk and stir to mix well.

Frequency: Daily at night before sleeping

Why it works: Here is an instant Indian home remedy for constipation. Ghee has traditionally been used to treat constipation. It contains butyric acid which strengthens the intestinal walls, improves gut health, and brings relief from constipation.

 

 

8. Fenugreek And Ghee For Constipation

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons fenugreek seed powder, ½ tablespoon ghee, 1 glass of water

How to: Add the fenugreek powder and ghee to a glass of lukewarm water.

Frequency: Consume daily on an empty stomach

Why it works: We have one of the most effective home remedies for constipation that uses fenugreek seeds, a well-known natural laxative. It contains high amounts of mucilage, a type of soluble fiber that can trigger bowel movements. Ghee strengthens the intestinal walls and takes care of overall digestive health.

 

 

9. Senna And Honey  

Ingredients: ½ teaspoon dried Senna leaves, ½ teaspoon honey, 1 cup water

How to: Bring a cup of water to boil in a saucepan. Add the senna leaves and let them steep for 5 to 8 minutes. Strain into a cup. Add honey for taste.

Frequency: Once a day before sleeping

Why it works: Senna has proven to be one of the most effective natural remedies for constipation. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a non-prescription laxative. It comes in various forms including tablets, syrups, and tea among others. It takes about 10 to 12 hours to show the effect which is why it is advised to consume senna at night so that you can have a truly good morning.

Note: Do not consume senna for longer than a week as excess consumption can lead to certain side effects.

 

 

10. Triphala Powder With Milk

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon triphala powder, 1 glass of milk

How to: Take one teaspoon of triphala powder and swallow it down with a glass of lukewarm milk or water

Frequency: Daily before sleeping

Why it works: This is one of the Ayurvedic home remedies for constipation. Triphala powder is made of three ingredients, namely Indian gooseberry powder, chebulic myrobalan, and beleric myrobalan. They give the triphala powder its laxative properties on top of being a rich source of fiber which brings instant relief from constipation.

 

 

11. Wood Apple And Buttermilk

Ingredients: 5 grams of wood apple fruit pulp, 1 glass of buttermilk

How to: Mix the pulp in a glass of buttermilk

Frequency: Twice a day

Why it works: Natural remedies for constipation cannot get any better than this recipe which is packed with everything nice. Ripe wood apple is a good source of fiber and acts as a laxative. On the other hand, we have buttermilk that comes with the goodness of probiotics which are known for promoting bowel movement, improving its frequency, and ultimately alleviating constipation.

 

 

12. Licorice Powder With Jaggery

Ingredients: ½ teaspoon licorice root powder, ½ teaspoon jaggery, 1 cup water

How to: Mix the licorice root powder with jaggery. Take it with a cup of lukewarm water.

Frequency: Once a day

Why it works: Licorice root powder combined with jaggery is an instant Indian home remedy for constipation. Licorice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Consuming it has been shown to aid digestion, soothe the digestive system, and promote bowel movement.  

 

 

13. Lemon Juice And Honey

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 glass of water

How to: Add lemon juice and honey to a glass of lukewarm water

Frequency: Daily in the morning on an empty stomach

Why it works: This is one of the well-known home remedies for constipation. This remedy aids digestive health in the long run and brings relief from constipation. Lemon juice is a rich source of citric acid which is a natural laxative and promotes bowel movement. Studies show that honey alleviates constipation by altering the gut microbiome.

 

 

14. Figs With Milk

Ingredients: 2 dried figs, 1 glass of milk

How to: Soak the dried figs for a few hours in either water or milk. Add about a glass of milk in a saucepan and let it boil. Add the soaked figs and let it boil for another 5 minutes.

Frequency: Daily before sleeping. Drink the milk and then eat the figs that were in it.

Why it works: Consuming figs with milk has been a staple health practice in India, especially during winters owing to its several health benefits one of which happens to be relief from constipation. Figs are abundant in fiber which promotes a smooth bowel movement as well as vitamin B6 that aids digestion.

 

 

15. Prunes

Ingredients: 25-30 gram prunes

How to & frequency: Include prunes in your daily diet. 

Why it works: Prunes are a super fruit loaded with tons of nutrients. Studies have found that prunes and prune juice are one of the most effective natural remedies for constipation. They are even considered better than the other remedies and it is suggested that prunes should be the “first-line therapy” for constipation because of their high sorbitol content.

      

   

Frequently Asked Questions On Constipation

      

   
Q. How can I relieve constipation quickly?

Drink prune juice or have a glass of lukewarm water mixed with lemon juice and honey. You can also try consuming a mixture of dates and ghee for a quick remedy.

    

Q. What foods will make you poop right away?

Foods that have a high fiber content such as pears, wood apples, dates, yogurt, buttermilk, and figs among others will make you poop right away.

    

Q. Is milk good for constipation?

While many Ayurvedic home remedies for constipation suggest the use of milk, too much of it can have a contrary effect. It means that in some cases, excess milk and other dairy products are found to be responsible for constipation.

    

Q. How do I empty my bowels?

Drink plenty of water. Add lemon juice and honey to a glass of lukewarm water to empty your bowels in the morning. You can also consume about 2 glasses of lukewarm water each with a teaspoon of Himalayan rock salt for quick relief.