10 Practical And Natural Remedies For Constipation Relief (Plus, Root Cause Information)
Today, we talk about how to naturally relieve constipation and how specific herbs and botanicals can help support natural motility in a way that helps to solve vs. mask the problem.
When we are not eliminating on a daily basis, our kidneys, liver, and lymphatic system have to work in overdrive to compensate, not to mention hormones and toxins are reabsorbed if not eliminated.
Did you know that we should be eliminating over two pounds of toxins daily to keep up with the toxic burden of today’s world?
Common Root Causes Of Chronic Or Acute Constipation
Constipation can arise as a direct result of any of the following root causes:
- Low thyroid and adrenal fatigue
- Lack of exercise or daily movement
- Dehydration
- Diet low in fiber
- Side effects from medications
- Over supplementation of calcium or iron
- Underlining candida/fungal overgrowth or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
It is important to get to the root cause of why someone may be struggling with constipation or irregularity.
However, we know that finding relief when having a flare up of constipation is essential.
Enter our list of 9 tried-and-true remedies for overcoming constipation.
Our 10 Favorite Constipation Quick-Relief Remedies
1: Maintaining Proper Hydration
Staying properly hydrated can be very beneficial in relieving constipation. We recommend drinking at least 34 oz of water for every 50 lbs of body weight every day.
2: Glass Of Warm Water And Lemon
A simple glass of warm water and lemon in the morning can have profound effects on our digestion and motility. The bitter taste in lemons helps activate important enzyme which help flush the body of toxins.
3: Ginger Tea
Ginger tea can be equally powerful as warm water and lemon, as it is known to increase our hydrochloric acid, relieving uncomfortable gas and bloating.
4: Fiber-Rich Foods
Eating fiber-rich foods is also important in the prevention and relief of constipation. While we all know the benefits of fiber for our hormones, digestion, and elimination, we often do not meet the dietary recommendations of 25-40 grams a day. Dietary fiber is the plant material, which is left undigested after passing through the digestive system.
There Are Two Main Sources Of Fiber:
- Insoluble fiber
- Soluble fiber
Soluble fiber is the kind which dissolves in water and becomes a gel-like substance, allowing it to bind with toxins and help stabilize our blood sugar.
Sources of soluble fiber include:
- Fruits
- Legumes, such as beans and peas and chia seeds (which absorb up to 10 times their weight in water!)
(Note: For delicious chia seed pudding, check out the recipe down below.)
Insoluble fiber is the opposite of soluble fiber, as it does not dissolve in water. It has a laxative effect and can help feed healthy bacteria in your colon.
Sources of insoluble fiber include:
- Brown rice
- Fruit (with the skin on)
- Millet
- And many vegetables, such as cauliflower and brussels sprouts
To learn more about fiber, check out our blog all about fiber and how it can change your life.
5: Magnesium
Magnesium supplementation can be a great option when struggling with constipation, as it relaxes the nervous system and promotes motility. The great thing about magnesium is that the results are often very quick.
We recommend the citrate form of magnesium during times of constipation and slowly increase the dosage (typically between 600-800 mg) until results are achieved (you will know when you have taken too much!). We like CALM, which is a powdered form of magnesium citrate that allows you to customize your dose.
6: Triphala
Triphala is a supplement comprised of three antioxidant-rich fruits:
- Amalaki
- Bibhitaki
- Haritaki
Triphala is an ayurvedic herb, which naturally supports regularity and has a gentle cleansing effect on the intestinal lining. Triphala is one of our most favorite herbs when cleaning the digestive system and anyone who is struggling with slow bowels. It is safe, gentle, and highly effective because it moistens and nourishes the lining of the intestines vs. scrapes them as laxatives can do. Over time, Triphala helps to heal and restore the lining of the intestines.
7: Smooth Move Tea
If other options don't seem to be getting things moving, try drinking Smooth Move tea before bed. Smooth Move Tea is made up of herbs that have natural laxative effects.
Please note, we do not recommend drinking this tea on a regular basis, as it should only be used for a period of 1-3 days during acute constipation.
8: Neurotransmitter Support
Neurotransmitter support can be a game-changer for:
- Those who have slow motility as a result of emotional and physical trauma,
- Environmental toxins
- Long-time suffering from SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)
- The use of certain medications
There is such a strong connection between our gut and brain via the vagus nerve. By supporting with amino acid therapy, we can re-engage and recalibrate the brain to promote motility and gut health once again. Our favorite neurological supplements to achieve this reconnection are CALM and Neurosyn.
9: Create A Morning Routine For Regularity
Creating a morning and evening ritual or routine can really have profound effects on your stress levels as well as regularity.
In the morning, coffee enemas can be helpful when dealing with bowel impaction; they also stimulate the liver and colon for the release of toxins.
Consider adding a Squatty Potty to your toilet, studies show that optimal position and hip flexion provides less struggle and strain, resulting in optimal elimination.
A morning walk before breakfast can promote regularity. Walking and movement are very important for our lymphatic system.
Try one of the morning elixir recipes below; these are full of ingredients which can help promote regularity and bowel movement.
10: Free Flow Morning Elixir Cocktails (Recipes For Constipation Relief)
Free Flow Aloe Elixir:
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon lemon
- 1 inch grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons aloe vera
- 2 drops stevia
Directions:
- Blend and serve
Free Flow Coffee Elixir:
- 1 teaspoon ghee
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1.5 teaspoons raw cacao
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne
- 1 cup organic coffee
Directions:
- Blend and serve
Vanilla Chia-Seed Pudding:
Chia seeds are a wonderful fiber-rich seed, they feed good gut bacteria and promote bowel movement. Add pink salt for trace minerals, collagen to help heal the gut lining, and cinnamon to balance your blood sugar, and this is a gut health breakfast of champions.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon real vanilla bean
- 3 pitted dates
- 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon (great for your blood sugar!)
- Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
- 1 scoop collagen (optional)
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend one full minute to create a uniform consistency. Transfer to a sealed glass container and allow to chill in refrigerator overnight. Serves 1.
We Want You To Experience Lasting Constipation Relief
This is a list of our go-to constipation remedies, let us know if any of these tips work for you!
Remember, having 1-2 bowel movements daily is the gold standard. If you’re not regular, we highly recommend finding out why so you can address the root cause and be done with annoying constipation!
Want To Learn More About Healing The Gut To Overcome Constipation?
Take a deep dive into gut health and explore the microbiome with Christa in our free educational webinar that will teach you her “5 Steps to Healing the Gut.”
You don't have to continue suffering with constipation, watch the webinar to find out how you can heal your leaky gut.
Awesome blog. It’s impressive to read about how you are not depending upon chemical medication instead of focusing on home remedies for dealing with constipation. I read blogs on iahas.com that also provide ayurvedic remedies for preventing and treating constipation. I will add your blog to my list…
So glad it resonated with you, Jesse!
Hello The Whole Journey awesome Team,
I am writing to you to respectfully ask if all of the above suggestions may be done during pregnancy.
Thank you in advance for all of your time and expertise!
Hi Anne! Congrats on your little one! We don’t recommend some of these while pregnant – you don’t want to be doing any heavy detoxing during this time. We would recommend that you stick to the first five recommendations and omit the rest. And as always, run anything new that you do by your provider who has your medical history and can appropriately advise you 🙂
Hi, I am wondering why you don’t talk about green tea instead of coffee.
Hey Wendolyn, We love green tea! We just find that coffee stimulates motility greater than green tea, if the tea works for you, by all means continue that 🙂
I would like to be added to your email list.
Hello are these recommended for children. I have a 3 yr old . Thanks 🙂
I ate super clean (only whole foods-organic free range protein, fruits and veggies, fermented foods and some organic dairy.) I am following your candida cleanse and am not experiencing die off at all…is this because I wasn’t following a SAD diet or am I doing things wrong?
Thank you
Hi, Is decaf coffee an acceptable, healthy alternative?
Hi there,
How can we order your recommended supplements if we live outside of the USA?
Many thanks,
Christine
Wow! Great info. I have suffered due to the thyroid as well. When I eat breads and meat it is even worse. When I whip up a chia seed psyllium husk smoothie… watch out 8 to 12 hours later…. Ha!
Christa, coffee is AWESOME! Just added 1/2 teaspoon of Maca as I have this daily. Thanks so much for the recipe and I hope you and little Austin are well x
Hi Char, so glad that you are trying the Maca! It is such a superfood!
Hi, what would you recommend for a clean out and maintainence for a toddler? We have tried every remedies there are but seems like our kid is immune to them now. Still dealing with constipation on a daily basis. Gastroenterologist and pediatrician kept pushing for miralax 😞. Help please! Tia.
What about using triphala while breastfeeding…any contraindications? Also I’m wondering if calm and the other one that works for the brain will help with “vacation constipation” literally not going for an entire vacation lol. Coming home and being regular. Let me know!
In the coffee elixir recipe, the video says to use a teaspoon of the coconut oil and the ghee, but the recipe calls for a tablespoon of each. Which is the correct amount?
Hi Maureen, We recommend a teaspoon 🙂 Enjoy!
I will try that coffee elixir for sure! I wonder what you think about Trader Joe’s organic decaf? I can get anxiety if I have much caffeine.
Hi Naomi, We like swiss water processed decaf 🙂
Such a great video!! Love the info, love your joy!
Thank you for watching Lori!
Thank you for the recipes. I heard that the dates are better if you soak them overnight. What is your suggestion on this ?
Hi Lisa, Thanks for watching! If you are struggling with digestion, feel free to soak the dates over night, they will be softer 🙂
I love these suggestions – thank you! Could you please confirm the quantities? The amounts listed in the recipes above do not match the amounts stated in the video. Thanks again!
Thanks Courtney, We recommend teaspoons 🙂