4 ​Home Remedies for Natural Constipation Relief

• Millions of Americans are constipated due to working from home, traveling, and aging.
• Unfortunately, the United States is also experiencing a laxative shortage.
• Natural laxatives such as psyllium husk and senna may be helpful instead.

Laxatives became a popular product, Laxative shortage all over America.

Thanks to an aging population, hybrid work, and increased travel, more people than usual are reaching for laxatives, all of which can contribute to constipation.

Another reason for the laxative shortage is TikTok users promoting laxatives for weight loss.

All these factors can make it difficult to find common laxative drugs like Miralax or Ducolax.

Fortunately, there are many natural alternatives. Relieves constipation Something that is still easily available.

Here are four natural laxatives that can help treat constipation.

plantain shell

Most Americans only consume half of their intake Recommended daily fiber intake.

Consuming psyllium husk is a great way to get more fiber in your diet and relieve constipation.

plantain shell It is a type of fiber obtained from the seeds of. Plantago Obata A shrub native to South Asia.

Psyllium husk is a type of laxative that helps retain water in the stool, Dr. Linda Nguyen, a spokeswoman for the American College of Gastroenterology, previously told Insider in an email. This fluid retention makes bowel movements easier.

Dr. Wendy LeBrett, a gastroenterology medical researcher who runs TikTok under the name @socalgastrodoc, previously told Insider that before trying laxatives, she recommended incorporating more forms of fiber, like psyllium husk, into your diet. He said he is doing so.

There are only two drawbacks to psyllium husk. First, you may need to take it for several days before it takes effect, Lebret says. Also, when mixed with water, it has a sticky texture that some people find unpalatable.

Senna

Senna is a stimulant laxative, a type of laxative that works by contracting the muscles of the intestines and pushing them out.

derived from Senna Alexandrina shrubsenna capsules, liquid, tea. A bowel movement usually occurs within 6 to 12 hours, but it should not be used for more than 1 week without your doctor’s approval. National Library of Medicine.

Stimulant laxatives like Senna are fine for “occasional” use, but long-term use can affect bowel motility, LeBrette previously told Insider. In other words, repeated use of stimulant laxatives can make your intestines struggle to defecate on its own.

laxative tea

In addition to teas containing senna, there are other teas that can help relieve constipation.

Dr. Peter P. Stanich, a gastroenterologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Insider that he has seen patients benefit from laxative teas, which contain natural laxatives.

Some teas that may have natural laxative properties include: dandelion rootAccording to , peppermint tea, green tea, black tea, Today’s medical news. However, many of these teas require further research to confirm their effectiveness.

Tea can also help improve constipation, as it hydrates the body and allows more water to be taken into the stool.

prunes and prune juice

according to cleveland clinicprune juice holds “legendary status” when it comes to relieving constipation, and for good reason.

a 2022 survey We discovered that prune juice can safely and effectively treat chronic constipation without causing any side effects.

Prune juice is effective because it contains the following ingredients: SorbitolA type of carbohydrate known as a sugar alcohol that can draw water from the colon into the stool.

Eating dried prunes may be even more beneficial than prune juice because dried prunes contain twice the amount of sorbitol and a higher concentration of fiber. Other foods that can help with constipation include kiwi, mango, and dragon fruit.