It never feels good to carry the extra baggage of the chunks of excretory material stuck somewhere in the large intestine. Constipation or Vibandha is one of the most common problems encountered by most individuals every now and then. Though it is not a fatal issue but taking proper care to treat it is necessary as it can give birth to some serious health hazards.
Out of all treatment options, Ayurveda offers the most natural way of dealing with constipation. Gulping down capsules and tablets is not always a good option as they might have several side effects apart from affecting the gut. Ayurveda suggests with just a few alterations in the diet and lifestyle, one can slide away from a lot of troubles.
Ayurveda is the 50 centuries old science of healing that considers curing any ailment by tracing down the root cause and providing a viable permanent solution for the disease.
Tracking down the root cause
Constipation, in most cases is the result of an incorrect lifestyle and poor eating patterns. In rare situations it might be a symptom indicating some serious malfunctioning in the body. Whatever may be the reason, it is crucial to find the main cause and eliminate it from the roots.
Irregular eating habits, insufficient intake of fluids, low fiber diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor bowel evacuation habits can result in a tough time pooping.
Snacking on foods that difficult to digest, as well as oily, spicy, fried, and junk foods are the culprits.
Eating food in a disturbed atmosphere, insomnia or a nocturnal lifestyle leads to bowel disturbance.
Psychological and emotional turbulence like stress, anxiety, fear, jealousy, and sorrow also affects digestion and bowel movement.
Ayurvedic remedies
According to Ayurveda, constipation can be cured by adding warmth, oil, and hydration to the system. Here are a few Ayurvedic formulations that assure relief to constipation.
Drink Warm Water: Regular intake of 8 – 10 glasses of lukewarm water infiltrates the system and cures any digestive or bowel problems.
Organic Oils: Organic oil especially sesame oil, ghee or olive oil lubricate the tissues and eases bowel movement.
Lots of fruits: Whether in raw form or as juice, fruits are great for dealing with constipation. Ripe bananas, peeled apples, soaked raisins, soaked prunes, and peaches work very well to clear the bowel. Pineapple juice and prune juice are particularly effective at moving excess vata in the colon.
Herbal Remedies to the rescue: Triphala works as a fantastic laxative. It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic properties. The Psyllium husk also helps in healthy and regular stools.
Few quick relief tips:
Coconut oil incorporated into the diet is a very effective Ayurvedic treatment.
Ghee blended with warm milk and sugar is a good natural remedy.
Spinach juice or aloe vera juice is a great reliever.
Warm lemon juice helps in clearing motion.
Dr. Mahadevaiah, Physician, AyurCentral, Rajarajeshwari Nagr, Bangalore
