Constipation: Expert talk

Though it is a long post but it’s very crisp. Every point is important and every piece of information will help you. 😊

There are several causes for constipation and constipation is also a symptom of several diseases.
So while treating constipation, all the possible causes should be kept in mind.

The causes of constipation are many—

1)Constitution of the individual (prakriti)
2) Habit of suppressing the urge over long periods (vegadhaarana),
3) Absence or non-availability of articles habitually used before defecation, such as smoking tobacco, drinking coffee or tea,
4) Frequent use of laxatives and purgatives etc., 5) Ingestion of vaata promoting food
6) Intestinal obstruction by foreign body,, worms (krumi), impacted faeces (pureesha);
7) Slow peristalsis due to debility during fevers, nervous diseases, tuberculosis, anaemia etc.;
8) Psychological factors like grief, sorrow, hatred
9) Ingestion of certain drugs
10) Inadequacy of water intake or excessive water elimination as in cases of vomiting, diarrhoea, diabetes.

SELF-HELP GUIDELINES & AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
Treatment is three fold—diet, herbs and daily routine.
Let’s discuss Diet and Ayurvedic Herbs first.

Diet:
1) Drink a glass of water early in the morning after washing the face and mouth. It is better, if the water is kept overnight in a copper vessel.

2) Soak twenty to thirty black raisins in a glass of water at night and drink the water after adding juice and pulp of lemon to it.

Note: Some people are in the habit of taking bed tea for this purpose. The refex action produced by bed-tea is different from the one produced by the cold water. The latter only produces pressure, thus stimulating the intestines to start their movement for evacuation. Tea, being hot, stimulates the intestines so strongly that its stimulating effect loses its significance after some days and the individual develops constipation apart from the diuretic action, which produces fluid loss thereby causing constipation.

3) In case of vitiation of vaata, oily food should be taken. Adequate oil and ghee should be included to ensure lubrication of the colon.

It is a better idea, if you can take a glass of warm milk at bedtime after adding a teaspoonful of ghee to it.

4) Adequate bulk should be taken as well, such as whole grains or bran.

6) Beans, dry grains, cabbage, family plants, mushrooms and other light or dry food should be avoided.

7) Spices, which balance digestion—asafoetida, ginger, cardamom or fennel, should be taken with food to alleviate gas and promote the downward movement of vaata.

8) Pitta type of constipation often involves liver dysfunction with congestion or obstruction of the bile. Hence, hot spicy food should be avoided.

9) Adequate fluids should be taken.

10) If you are having kapha type of constipation, then you have to avoid foods like sugar, cheese, curd, bread, potatoes and pork.

11) Wheat is better than rice in case of constipation.

12) Eat plenty of fruits and leafy vegetables.

13) Use whole meal four and not refned four.

14) Papaya and sugarcane are very effective in relieving constipation.

15) Avoid fried food. The body takes a long time to digest them.

Drugs:

1) The best evacuant is castor oil. Castor oil is not only useful for bowel evacuation but also has therapeutic and curative values.
20-30 ml of this oil is to be taken with warm milk.

2) Triphala powder is very popularly used by the ayurvedic physicians for the treatment of chronic constipation.

Triphala powder is used in two different ways. a) One or two teaspoonfuls of this powder is mixed with a cup of warm milk and some sugar is added to it. It is to be taken at bedtime and its purgative effect is manifested early morning.

b) For those having chronic constipation and simultaneously a costive bowel, the powder alone does not help. It is to be taken as a decoction prepared by boiling 20 gm of the powder in 16 times of water and reducing it to one-fourth. The powder is to be fltered and the liquid taken. Since it is strong, two to four teaspoonfuls of honey may be added to it, if needed.

Constipation leads to many diseases, one of them is very common these days – Problem of Piles.
Never ignore constipation, treat it as soon as you diagnose this condition

Stay Hydrated
Stay Aware 😊❤️🙏

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