10 Natural Laxatives For Constipation

If you suffer from constipation, you will want to know what options there are for natural laxatives. Our diet should already include foods that contain a high amount of fiber and foods such as yogurt, which keep your intestinal flora healthy.

Natural laxatives are foods or herbs that make it possible to cleanse the intestines. It is important to distinguish between three types, because one of these agents has a much more potent effect and may have certain side effects.

Types of Natural Laxatives

By considering how they act as laxatives for your body, we can divide natural laxatives into the following categories:

Stimulants

Also known as purgatives, they are considered stimulants as they have an effect on the intestinal muscle and also have certain components that have an effect on the colon to stimulate defecation.

They also work on the intestinal walls and provide a boost of minerals and fluids. They also reduce the gut’s ability to absorb sodium and chlorine.

Negative side effects are based on the time period in which the stimulants have an effect on the body. Once you take them, they can work for up to eight hours. It is recommended to take stimulant laxatives before going to sleep.

Mechanics

These are laxatives that are full of fiber and give volume to your waste, retain water, hydrate the intestinal walls and also help in the most natural way to promote intestinal muscle movement and to help you go to the toilet. These are both soluble and insoluble fiber.

These natural laxatives are much gentler than stimulants and are recommended as the first steps to treat constipation. We recommend combining these treatments with probiotics, such as natural yogurt.

Osmotic agents

These types of laxatives work by increasing the amount of water in your gut, which softens your stool. They are similar in mechanics as they contain a lot of minerals and force your body to get rid of the stool.

Cherries are a good example of osmotic laxatives. The effects are strong and you need to drink plenty of water and isotonic fluids to stay hydrated.

How do you choose a laxative?

The gentlest laxatives are mechanics, of which you will find some examples below:

Apple juice and olive oil

Mix half a cup of apple juice with half a cup of olive oil. Drink the mixture before going to sleep.

Cherries and honey

Bring a cup of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add six cherries. Take it off the heat and let it steep overnight.

Drain it in the morning and add a tablespoon of honey. Keep the cherries so you can eat them during the day.

aloe vera

Cut off an aloe vera leaf. Bring it to a boil in a pan of water. When cool, put it in a jar with a lid and put it in the fridge without draining.

You may only consume this twice a week.

This laxative is not recommended for pregnant, breastfeeding women or persons taking anticoagulants.

Grape and linseed juice

Put grapes in a blender until you have an even juice for about a cup and add a tablespoon of powdered flaxseed. Drink it in the morning and no more than once a week.

Castor oil

This is an external laxative. Soak a towel or gauze in castor oil and heat it over a small flame. Apply the heated cloth or gauze to your lower back.

Cover it so it stays warm longer. Apply it once a day. We do not recommend consuming castor oil here.

Foods That Act As Natural Laxatives

In addition to aloe vera and cherries, there are other effective foods that act as a laxative. Before you take anything, you should try to figure out what is causing your digestive problems.

Constipation occurs when a person has to go to the toilet less than three times a week or when the stool is dry and hard.

Digestive problems are not uncommon if you follow an unhealthy diet. Lack of exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of hydration, fats and refined flour can also cause constipation.

If you want to have a healthy gut flora, you need to make some changes to your lifestyle. Some recommended foods are:

Plantain

This plant originates from India and has a lot of fiber that helps you go to the toilet. It can also absorb water, add bulk to your stool and stimulate your bowel movements.

apples

Both red and green apples contain pectin, which promotes healthy bowel movement, softens stools (due to fiber) and aids in going to the bathroom. Eat an apple a day or eat a small portion after dinner. We recommend raw or dried apples with a portion of cherries.

bananas

This is another type of fruit that contains high amounts of fiber (and potassium) and thus is a great natural laxative. One piece of banana already contains 12% of your recommended daily fiber intake. In addition, they also contain oligosaccharides, which go directly to the large intestine and aid digestion and defecation.

Onions

Onions should always be the recommended vegetable as they are not only tasty but also help to protect your body from diseases, pathogens and other ailments. In addition, onions are also a promising natural laxative.

When you eat raw vegetables, your body naturally produces stomach acids and this can help boost your gut flora. The presence of quinine stimulates the metabolism of your liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines.

Try these natural laxatives first before trying anything else to solve your gut problems and constipation.