In this article, you will find 5 immediate constipation relief remedies for adults and kids at home.
What is constipation?
Constipation is a digestive dysfunction characterized by infrequent bowel movements or stools that are hard to pass.
Although occasional constipation is normal for most people, some people experience chronic constipation that can be extremely debilitating.
The normal frequency of bowel movements is between three per day and three per week.
On the other hand, a person experiencing chronic constipation has fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Chronic constipation affects up to 20% of the population.
It has a large negative impact on quality of life and causes significant psychological distress.
Symptoms of constipation
Symptoms of constipation include:
- Few bowel movements
- Hard or lumpy stools
- Straining to have a bowel movement on the toilet
- A sense that everything didn’t come out
- Stomach bloating
- Upper or lower abdominal pain
Complications from chronic constipation may include heart and cardiovascular diseases1,2, fecaloma3, and colon cancer4.
What are the causes of constipation?
The main causes of constipation are:
- A diet rich in meat, refined sugar, dairy products, gluten, and processed foods
- A diet poor in vegetables, fruits, and fiber
- A high alcohol intake
- A lack of exercise
- Medications such as antibiotics, oral contraceptives, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and NSAIDs
- An overload of toxins, including heavy metals, benzene, PCB, fluoride, and dioxin
Related: 10 Best Heavy Metal Detox Supplements
5 Immediate Constipation Relief Home Remedies
There are numerous well-known remedies for constipation relief.
While some of them are not effective, some others contain substances with side effects.
Here are 5 immediate constipation relief natural remedies for adults and kids at home. They will help induce a bowel movement rapidly.
1. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
An osmotic laxative
Magnesium is an essential mineral for health and a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes5.
Furthermore, magnesium is an osmotic laxative.
To wit, it attracts water through your tissues into your intestine by a process known as osmosis.
The water, in turn, helps soften your stool and makes it easier to pass6.
Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral in the human body7.
However, it must be continuously replenished because it is not synthesizable7.
Which form of magnesium is best?
There are different types of magnesium compounds, including8:
- Magnesium carbonate
- Magnesium chloride
- Magnesium citrate
- Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia)
- Magnesium sulfate
- Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (Epsom salts)
All these forms of magnesium have laxative properties.
Nonetheless, Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is the most effective remedy for immediate constipation relief.
It is because magnesium and sulfate ions are both osmotic laxatives6.
Therefore, in case of severe constipation, we recommend taking Epsom salt.
How to use
Take two teaspoons of magnesium sulfate in a glass of water three times daily.
Alternatively, you can take a warm bath to which you have added a handful of Epsom salt every 3-4 days.
Related: Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?
2. Diatomaceous earth (food grade)
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock9.
It consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a group of hard-shelled microalgae9.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is mainly available in the form of a grayish powder.
This powder has amazing laxative properties.
The skeletal remains of diatoms have tiny, sharp, and pointy edges, allowing them to break hard masses blocked in your digestive system.
Indeed, constipation results from fecal matter, sometimes hard as cement, obstructing your digestive system.
Diatomaceous earth will, little by little, crack this mass without harming you.
How to use
Take a teaspoon of food-grade diatomaceous earth mixed with water daily.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day as it has a dehydrating effect.
Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
3. Mineral water rich in baking soda
Mineral water for constipation
Another home medicine for inducing immediate constipation relief in adults and kids is mineral water high in sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Drinking a ,glass of mineral water naturally rich in bicarbonate first thing in the morning will stimulate a bowel movement.
Mineral water is considered high in bicarbonate if it contains at least 600 mg of natural bicarbonate per liter.
For instance, the following brands are considered high in bicarbonate:
| Brand | Bicarbonate [mg/l] |
|---|---|
| St-Yorre | 4368 |
| Vichy Celestins | 2989 |
| Gerolsteiner | 1816 |
| Badoit | 1250 |
| Uliveto | 683 |
The bicarbonate content of bottled mineral water is mentioned on the bottle label.
You can also drink a glass of regular water, to which you have added 250 mg of baking soda.
Benefits of bicarbonate
Studies have shown that bicarbonate-alkaline mineral water enhances gastric emptying10,11.
Baking soda has, namely, a deeply purifying effect. To wit, it removes uranium and protects you from uranium toxicity12.
How to use
You can either drink first thing in the morning, at least an hour before breakfast:
- A glass of mineral water naturally rich in bicarbonate or
- A glass of water to which you have added 250 mg of baking soda
Alternatively, you can take a warm bath to which you have added a teaspoon of baking soda.
Related: 3 Reasons To Use Baking Soda For Constipation
4. Prunes for constipation
Dried plums (prunes) are among the most cited home remedies for immediate constipation relief.
It is due to their high content of sorbitol as well as soluble and insoluble fiber.
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol with laxative effects13.
It works as a laxative by drawing water into the large intestine, stimulating bowel movement13.
Moreover, prunes are also rich in soluble and insoluble fibers.
Studies report that prunes significantly increased stool weight and frequency in individuals with infrequent stool habits and low fiber intake14.
Furthermore, research revealed that dried plums are more effective than psyllium for mild to moderate constipation15.
Related: 10 Strongest Candida Killer Supplements
Immediate constipation relief secret trick
If you heat prune juice or fresh or frozen plums, it makes the remedy even more effective.
It is because it will save your digestive system the energy necessary to maintain your body temperature.
How to use
Put two halves of fresh or frozen plums or dried prunes in a small saucepan.
Add 2 oz of water and heat to body temperature. Eat the warm plums and drink the delicious juice.
Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Bentonite Clay, Including Constipation Relief
5. Beet juice
Fiber for constipation
Beet (beetroot) juice has been used as a natural laxative in traditional medicine for hundreds of years16.
Namely, beet juice pulp contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms mucilage. It makes your stool softer and easier to pass through your bowels.
On the other hand, insoluble fiber bulks up your stool and sweeps it out.
For these reasons, don’t remove the pulp once you have pressed your juice.
Related: 3 Best Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes
Betaine has laxative effects
Furthermore, beet juice is also rich in betaine. It increases stomach acid levels, improving your digestion.
Betaine found in beets (trimethylglycine) also stimulates the liver owing to its cleansing attributes.
To wit, trimethylglycine is a cofactor in methylation17.
Methylation enables your body to neutralize heavy metals and get rid of them18.
How to use
Drink a shot of beet juice daily.
On the first days, try not to make any plans right after drinking the juice. Also, try not to stay too far away from the restroom.
Related: An Easy Way To Know If You Have Liver Flukes
Summary: 5 immediate constipation relief remedies
Constipation can be relieved by drawing water into the intestines to soften stool using an osmotic laxative, such as Epsom salt.
Furthermore, diatomaceous earth is a siliceous sedimentary rock that detaches hard fecal matter stuck in your digestive system.
Besides, removing toxins, such as radiation and heavy metals, from your body with bicarbonate also has a laxative effect.
Finally, soluble and insoluble fiber in plums and beet juice will make your stool softer and bulk it up, making it easier to pass through your bowels.
Here are 5 immediate constipation relief natural remedies for adults and kids:
- Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade)
- Mineral water rich in bicarbonate
- Heated prunes
- Beet juice
Related: How To Get Rid Of Liver Flukes Naturally
