Constipation

A very common disturbance within the digestive tract, it restricts regular bowel movement. Since improper stool produces toxins (ama) which find their way into the blood stream and are then carried to all parts of the body, in chronic cases this problem can give way to serious diseases as rheumatism, arthritis, piles, high blood pressure and even cancer.

Symptoms

Root Causes

Herbs used:

• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  
  
  
  It is very much useful in chronic constipation. Haritaki increases the frequency of stools and has got the property of evacuating the bowels completely. 
  
  

• Isabgole (Plantago ovata)
  
  
  
  Due to its soothing effect on the mucous membrances isabgole is used in constipation. The seeds should be soaked in water before use, which makes them disintegrate in the alimentary canal. the large amount of mucilage in the seeds binds and increase the mass of the stool, thus smoothening its passage. The action is, chiefly mechanical, rather than physiological. Two tablespoons of the seeds should be taken with milk or luke warm water in this condition. The seeds are particularly useful in chronic constipation characterized by spasms.
  
  

• Sennaleaves (Cassia angustifolia)
  
  
  
  Senna is a powerful cathartic used in the treatment of constipation, working through a stimulation of intestinal peristalsis. It is vital to recognize, however, that the constipation is a result of something else and not the initial cause and that this has to be sought and dealt with.
  
  

• Nisoth (Ipomoea turpethum)
  
  
  
  Turpeth is used as a purgative. It has almost the same properties as the true jalap, botanically known as exogonium purge and can be used with advantage as its substitute. Its powdered roots are used as a purgative and to relieve any chronic constipation.
  

Diet: 

The patient suffering from chronic constipation are advised to take fruits, leafy vegetables and fruit juice in plenty. the bran of both rice & wheat are useful in relieving constipation. Among the vegetable, surana and papaya are very useful in relieving constipation. Fried things, pulses and preparations of pulses are extremely harmful for the patients suffering from chronic constipation. There are some vegetables which work in both ways - spinach relieves constipation of patients and it also produces constipation tendency in some patients who are suffering from chronic diahorrea. Some is true about banana and papaya. Taking sugarcane juice is very useful for relieving constipation.

• Avoid white flour, rice, bread, pulses, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, white sugar & hard-boiled eggs.

• Take the following unrefined foods:
  Wholegrain Cereals : Wheat
  Green Vegetables : Spinach, broccoli
  Fruits : Bael, pear, Guava, Grapes, Orange, Papaya & Figs
  Dairy : Milk, Clarified butter, Cream.
  
  

Life style: 

• Attend to the call of nature regularly even if you do not get your motion.

• Indulge in the following active physical activities / outdoor games
  a) brisk walking
  b) swimming
  c) exercises
  
  

  Do's	Dont's
  Green leafy vegetables	Suppression of natural urges
  Fruits	Irregular food habbits
  Regular food habits	Chilies
  Balanced Food	Late night sleep & late night food
  Fasting	Tea/coffee
  Variety in the food	faulty posture
  Oily and fatty food (if stools are hard)	Anal rub
  Boiled water	Cold food, spicy food, stale food
  Light food at night	Smoking, alcoholism ,tension, sugar, wheat, ghee, milk, sedentary life, Dicotyledom

Ayurvedic supplements:

• Kabzhar

• Constiguard

• Triphala

• Panchasakar Churna

Yoga to cure Constipation: 

• Bow (Dhanurasana)

• Yogamudra

• Vajrasana
  
  

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