Constipation is an extremely common health concern marked by any one of the following:

• The inability to completely void the bowels
• Dry, hard stools that may be painful to pass
• Slow, sluggish movement of waste through the digestive tract

Foods are amongst the most effective and easy constipation home remedies. These include prunes, prune juice, orange juice, carrot juice, cooked oatmeal, one medium raw carrot, one celery stalk, an apple, a bag of unbuttered popcorn, and water (dehydration can cause constipation).

You could also supplement your diet with aloe vera juice, or psyllium husks daily.

If you find yourself going 3 or more days between bowel movements, straining for 10 minutes when you do go or just feeling "unfinished" after you go, ask your doctor if one of these herbal remedies for constipation might be right for you:

Psyllium

Psyllium is an excellent source of dietary fiber, especially the kind doctors call insoluble fiber. In the digestive tract, psyllium absorbs water and swells to several times its original volume. This "bulks" your stools and makes it easier for the muscles of your colon to move waste along efficiently.

Glucomannan

Glucomannan acts as a source of soluble fiber. In the digestive tract, it also absorbs water and "swells". Ultimately, it forms a gel-like substance that works to keep bowel movements soft. This action makes stools larger but also more comfortable to pass.

Cascara

Cascara is an old Native American remedy that was once a common ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives. Today, it can be sold only as an herbal supplement but it is rich in a group of compounds known as cascarosides. These compounds stimulate the muscles of the colon and encourage elimination.

Aloe

Latex of aloe, which is made by air-drying aloe gel, is another herbal laxative that works by stimulating the bowels. Aloe latex is a rich source of a group of compounds known as anthraquionone glycosides. Like other stimulant laxatives (including cascara) it is only appropriate for short-term use.

Senna

Senna works to alleviate constipation in two ways. Like cascara and aloe, it has a stimulant effect on the colon but it also stimulates the colon to release water. This extra moisture softens and enlarges the stools, making them easier to pass.

Cautions & Warnings

It is extremely important to remember that herbal laxatives like aloe, cascara and senna may be "natural" but that does not make them safe or appropriate for everyone. Anyone using a stimulant laxative may experience cramping, unpredictable urgency and other side effects. Children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people with bowel obstructions or certain bowel conditions should never use these products without medical supervision.

Even dietary fiber like psyllium and glucomanan present certain risks. For example, if these products are taken without water, they present a very risk of choking. In the digestive system, they act as crude sponges and if the water they absorb isn't replaced, hard, dry stools may result, compounding the initial problem.

This is by no means a complete look at herbal remedies for constipation so if you would like more information about managing your unique health concerns, consult a qualified medical professional.

Chinese constipation home remedies: . Try these ideas:

• 2 tsp honey with warm water, drunk on an empty stomach first thing in the morning
• cut 100g white radish (daikon) and squeeze out the juice. Mix with honey and eat every day.
• peel and chop 500 grams of sweet potatoes, boil in water, add salt or sugar as seasoning, and eat before bed
• drink a glass of grapefruit juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach

Advice for those seeking constipation home remedies from Chinese traditions, is not to drink tea, or consume "obstructive" foods like guava and olives, or vinegar.

Herbal constipation home remedies include flaxseed, which is best taken in the morning. Eat a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, perhaps sprinkled on cereal. And its important to drink a glass of water or juice with it. Flaxseed acts as a lubricating and bulking agent, and it cannot work properly without drinking extra fluid.

Herbal laxatives like senna are not considered a good long term home constipatin remedy as they don't deal with the underlying condition, and they don't strengthen and tone the muscles of the colon. Flaxseed, on the other hand, is a good, regular remedy.

Epsom salts are another great way to deal with the problems and discomfort caused by constipation. epsom salts have been used for centuries as a safe inexpensive saline laxative. I use pepsom brand but they all work in a similar fashion. Just dissolve 2-4 teaspoons of pepsom in a full (8 oz) glass of water and you should feel relief somewhere between 30 minutes and 6 hours after digesting. It has also become a popular colon cleansing product.

Plus epsom salt is great for relieving pain from minor aches, sprains, and bruises as well as acting as a soothing soaking aid. Everyone should have this product under their sink because it truly is the modern day cure-all!

Constipation is one of the most common problems among children, youngsters and old people. Both men and women undergo the severity of constipation at some time or the other.

What is the cause of constipation? Why does a person suffer from intense bouts of constipation quite frequently? Before finding answer to these two important questions, let us learn the precise meaning of constipation.

Well, constipation has been defined as an irregular and infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels. Also, constipation can be a symptom of intestinal obstruction or diverticulitis. Know that diverticulitis is the inflammation of a diverticulum in the digestive tract, especially the colon and is characterized by painful abdominal cramping and fever and constipation.

Now remember that the main causes of constipation are wrong diet plan and lack of adequate physical workouts. So first find out if you are not taking the right kind of food items and also not performing any exercises. Both the factors are crucial: correct diet plan and exercising for 30 minutes every day. These two factors allow you to maintain the ideal fitness level of your body.

However, when you eat stale or to spicy food, you are most likely to damage your body sooner than later. Also, if you live a sedentary or inactive life without performing physical workouts, you will not be able to maintain good physical health. All this results into a constipated condition and your stomach remains upset.

At this stage, you need to consult a doctor who can prescribe pertinent medication. But before that you can easily try out some of the common home remedies that can provide you some relief from constipation

Here are some of the common homes remedies to reduce your constipation problem:

1. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Take fresh green and leafy vegetables. For example, you can consume spinach after heating it in lukewarm water so that it becomes germ-free. This is one of most effective and time-tested home remedies to increase your bowel movements and resultantly decrease the constipation.

2. Increase the intake of figs. You can do so by soaking some figs in water for 24 hours and then mixing it with oat milk. When you drink this blended milk every day, the constipation will subside gradually.

3.Consume wholegrain breads and cereals. It makes the bowel movements easier.

4.Do not forget to perform 30 minutes of physical workouts every day. You can also do yoga or do jogging for half hour daily.

Bran Two teaspoons daily may at first have a dramatic effect but taken every morning, sprinkled on cereal, will ensure a regular movement. Small children may be given a little on the tip of a spoon. This will provide relief from constipation.

Natural home remedy for Carrots : Eaten raw they add valuable minerals and vitamins to the diet. Also try this nourishing soup which is sweet and tasty enough to tempt children and acts as a mild aperient. This will help in treating constipation.

Carrot Syrup remedy for constipation Treatment

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 carrots, thinly sliced
1/4 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
fresh thyme and bay leaf
sea salt
300ml (1/2 pint) chicken stock
300ml (1/2 pint) warmed milk
parsley to garnish

Fry the onion and garlic gently in the olive oil until soft. Add the carrots and fennel and toss lightly until golden brown. Add the herbs, seasoning and stock, cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft. Discard the bay leaf then Puree the mixture. This is beneficial in treating constipation.

Pan and heat through adding as much of the warmed milk as is necessary to give you the right consistency. Garnish with plenty of chopped parsley and serve with whole meal bread.