Constipation is not only painful but also inconvenient.
With ailments like this, it helps to have natural remedies to turn to. Fortunately, with constipation, there are natural herbs that can help you while also improving your digestion.
Constipation will impact you at one point or another. Everyone experiences it to varying degrees, but this doesn’t make it any less unpleasant or inconvenient. Luckily, there are herbs for constipation and as our knowledge has grown about natural health, it’s giving us the ability to not always have to turn to harmful medications.
Herbs are pretty amazing things as they not only enhance cooking but have a multitude of uses. From inflammation relief to giving yourself antioxidants, herbs need to be a part of your daily life. When it comes to constipation, there are some you can turn to that will also help the digestive process.
They say you are what you eat but more accurately; you are what you absorb. Without proper digestion, all the nutrition in the world won’t be beneficial as it’s not reaching the cells in your body efficiently. Poor digestion will also lead to constipation and all the unpleasant side effects that come with it.
So let’s look at what can be an awkward topic and doesn’t make for good dinner conversation; constipation.
What Is Constipation?
Chronic constipation is having infrequent bowel movements, or difficult passage of stool, that lasts for a few weeks or longer. If you are having fewer than three bowel movements a week, they can consider this legitimate constipation.
There are many things that may cause constipation, including:
- Blockages in the colon or rectum.
- Problems with the nerves around the colon or rectum.
- A difficulty with the muscles involved in an elimination.
- Conditions that affect hormones in the body (diabetes, thyroid issues, etc).
- Age and sex.
- Poor diet.
- Lack of exercise.
- Certain medications.
The problem is, it’s hard to pinpoint a specific cause for constipation and every situation and individual is different. This makes it such a frustrating condition. But when looking to deal with it, there are certain herbs that can helpand that can boost your digestive process while doing so.
The best way to consume these herbs is usually in tea form and these herbs will make an ideal beverage.
1. Senna
Senna is a great natural laxative and makes for a great tea. Senna comes from the Senna Alexandrina shrub and we can use the dried leaves and pods in making tea. Senna contains glycosides and these help act as a natural laxative.
A lot of over-the-counter laxative drugs actually contain senna as it can work better than artificially made ingredients.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint tea is one of the most popular out there but it’s a great choice for improving digestion and combatting constipation. The menthol found in peppermint can help soothe the stomach and help with digestion. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea after each meal can be a great way to deal with constipation and also calm an upset stomach.
3. Dandelion
Another one of the most popular teas and a great way to deal with the symptoms that can come from poor digestion such as bloating, gas, and cramping. For constipation, dandelion can help as it encourages the liver to produce bile, and the bile helps is involved with bowel movements.
Dandelion also acts like a natural diuretic in the body meaning it can eliminate water too. This water can be added to the digestive system and to the stool making it easier to eliminate. One cause of constipation can be hardened stools and herbs like dandelion can help bring more water to the bowel.
4. Green Tea
Green tea is another natural diuretic option that works similarly to dandelion. The caffeine content in green tea can also have a laxative effect and help cure constipation. The added benefit with green tea is you receive a lot of antioxidants, it can lower cholesterol, and one cup has more vitamin C than an orange.
5. Licorice Root
One of the best herbs for constipation and may also be the best choice for digestion. Along with being able to aid digestion, it is also a strong anti-inflammatory. Using licorice root in a tea, and drank after meals, will help promote better digestion and encourage bowel movements in the body.
6. Chamomile
Another popular herb found in tea form. Chamomile is great at the end of the day to help relax and soothe the body. It’s this effect that has good implications for constipation as it will help to relax the intestine and can help in bowel movements.
7. Marshmallow Root
You might not be as familiar with this herb, but it’s from a perennial plant native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. They have used it for thousands of years as a digestive aid and is gaining popularity again today. It’s also so potent that it’s used in medicinal based teas.
It has laxative properties similar to the licorice root while having a soothing effect on the body. It’s another herb that works well in tea and especially when drank later in the day. Like chamomile, it can help relax the body and also help with sleep.
Final Thoughts
You can see now that if you suffer from constipation, you don’t have to turn to drug store options that might end up causing additional problems for you. There are plenty of great herbs for constipation that not only helps with it but also improve digestion and hopefully, prevent the conditions from becoming worse.
They also come with other health benefits and you can have peace of mind knowing you are consuming something to not only deal with your issue but will promote better health overall.
Are there any other herbs or teas you find help with constipation and digestion? Please share them below!
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