Constipation: Ayurvedic Home Remedies and Treatment

Guide to Triphala Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects Reading Constipation: Ayurvedic Home Remedies and Treatment 5 minutes Next 8 Ayurvedic herbs to add to your daily diet

By ABHIJIT JACHAKNov 25, 2022

Constipation is a prevalent digestive ailment that affects people of all ages. A common symptom of constipation is restricted bowel movements - usually three or fewer bowel movements a week. Constipated people may have hard stools and push too firmly on the toilet seat. Some people may even have additional symptoms wherein they feel clogged up and unable to complete their daily bodily functions.Due to repeated straining, chronic constipation can also cause bloating, stomach cramps, and rectal pain. Unlike conventional allopathic medicine, Ayurveda focuses on treating the roots of an ailment. The treatment consists of a whole range of healthy lifestyle and diet choices instead of using laxatives for immediate relief. Three distinct doshas, or energy types at work in the body, are described in Ayurveda. Each person has all three doshas, although typically one is more dominant. A person's physical attributes, personality traits, and health vulnerabilities are all reflections of their dominant dosha. An outline of the three doshas is given below: Vata: an energy type connected to motion, space, and air Pitta: an energy linked to metabolism, fire, and water. Kapha: an energy known linked to the physical body, the ground, and water. These doshas control how your body functions when combined. Disease, dysfunction, or illness result from an imbalance between them. Constipation is described in Ayurvedic medicine as an imbalance of the Vata dosha, which is located in the colon. Before looking at ayurvedic treatment for constipation, we need to understand the causes of constipation.

Not drinking enough water throughout the day is one of the biggest causes of constipation
Lack of fibre in diet
Irregular eating and sleeping patterns can throw off the digestive system balance, leading to constipation
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise can also lead to constipation and hard stools.

Ayurveda has a different approach for constipation treatment. Although there are natural laxatives for instant relief, focusing on the causes of constipation can be the best remedy for constipation. In Ayurveda, constipation can be treated by:

Ayurvedic Laxatives
Some of the Ayurvedic laxatives such as Triphala, Senna, etc. can be taken as tablets with water or turned into calming, warm teas. Some are also offered in liquid form. Triphala is considered as the best ayurvedic medicine for digestion.
Ayurvedic enemas
Panchakarma, a system of five purification or cleansing procedures, is part of the Ayurvedic medical system. Toxins that occasionally accumulate in the body have to be removed through Panchakarma. Using medicinal enemas to clean the bowels is one of the treatments, called Panchakarma Basti. Herbal mixtures suspended in ghee or oil are frequently used in Basti. The constipation medication flows through a tube that has been put into your rectum. You keep the fluid for a little length of time (often minutes), after which you expel it into a toilet.
Ayurvedic Massage
Therapeutic whole-body massage with medicinal oils is part of Ayurveda's routine health regimen and is also used to get ready for Panchakarma cleanses. According to research, abdominal massage and deeper colon massage techniques can be one of the best remedy for constipation. According to a 2016 study involving 60 postoperative patients, belly massage reduced constipation and enhanced patients' general quality of life.
Yoga
A few yoga poses like Bhujanghasana, Vajrasana, Dhanurasana, etc. are advised by Ayurvedic practitioners to encourage bowel movement and cure constipation. These yoga sanas are a great constipation solution.

Home Remedies for Constipation

Although the aforementioned solutions are natural and safe, sometimes you might not have the necessary ingredients at home. Let us look at some of the best ayurvedic medicines for constipation that you can find in your kitchen. Ghee: Ghee is a natural laxative and has other benefits too. You can add ghee to your everyday diet, but if you suffer from chronic constipation, try this- Add a tablespoon of ghee to about 200ml warm water and drink this first thing in the morning. It is one of the best, and easiest constipation home remedies you can find. Ginger Tea: A staple beverage in Indian households, ginger tea induces bowel movement and makes it easier for you to pass stools. It is a simple yet powerful constipation pain relief home remedy. You can find several useful infusion variants at Herbea that are full of herbs and ingredients that help solve your health issues. Digestea- Pachana by Herbea is one such infusion that relieves you of all your digestive disorders and enables you to have a healthy and happy tummy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Ayurveda cure constipation permanently?
Using natural laxatives like Triphala and brining about lifestyle and dietary changes can cure constipation permanently.
Which dosha imbalance causes constipation?
Constipation is caused by an imbalance of Vata dosha
What are the 5 ways to improve constipation?
-Drink at least 2 litres or half a gallon of water every day -Include foods rich in fibre in your diet -Exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday -Manage your stress -Fix irregular eating and sleeping patterns
What are the 10 most constipating foods?
Bananas, white bread, white rice, red meat, alcohol, chocolate, some dairy products like cheese, ice cream, processed foods, frozen meals, and caffeine cause constipation.
Is drinking tea good for constipation?
- Drinking Senna tea, Peppermint tea or Ginger tea can help relieve constipation