Talking about your bowel motions might feel embarrassing but with a best seller book, out in the market place called Gut by Giulia Enders, we are getting used to talking about this topic and more so our bowel motions. For me, it’s a common topic, one that is explored everyday with my patients. Most people I meet have something going on with their bowels – constipation, diarrhoea, wind, bloating, floating stools, undigested stools or worms. It can be a source of daily discomfort and if untreated can lead to an array of systemic conditions. The bowel is where the waste products of eating are stored until they are emptied from the body in the form of a bowel motion. This process is essential to health.
A healthy bowel function will go a little like this:
– pass a bowel motion within about a minute of sitting down on the toilet;
– pass a bowel motion easily and without pain or strain;
– completely empty your bowel when you pass a motion;
– your stool will feel firm, moist, easy to pass and coloured brown; and
– regular could mean 1-2 per day or 3 per week depending on the individual – what they have eaten, gut flora health, going in a relaxed or stressed state.
Constipation is a common concern and when chronic should be investigated by your healthcare practitioner. Plenty of water, healthy and clean whole foods, probiotic rich foods, chewing well and exercise all contribute to a healthy daily motion.
The following remedies will help relieve constipation and help reset your daily rhythm.
1. Licorice root, this sweet tasting root was what we used to make licorice candy from. It acts an an emollient, soothing to dry and difficult bowel motions. It has mild laxative effects, acts as an anti inflammatory and antibacterial for infections in the gut. Drink as a tea.1 teaspoon of the organic dried root steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Drink 3 cups per day.
2. Dandelion root acts as a mild laxative, digestive bitter tonic and stimulates bile flow. Constipation can be a symptom of poor digestive function, not enough acids and enzymes and other digestive fluids such as bile. Drink as a tea. 1 teaspoon of the dried root steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-7 minutes. Drink 3 cups per day.
3. Chamomile flower, this most familiar herbal tea acts as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic to the bowels. Excellent for constipation caused by stress and tension. Drink as a tea. 1 teaspoon of the organic dried flower steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Drink 3 cups per day.
4. Slippery elm powder, traditionally used for constipation, it has an emollient and soothing effect on the bowels especially indicated for irritable bowel syndrome. It also acts as s prebiotic encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria, necessary for healthy bowel motions. Add 1 tablespoon to a full glass of water or a cup of plain organic yoghurt and consume daily. Choose organic kinds.
5. Aloe vera gel found in the fleshy leaf also acts as a mild laxative and anti inflammatory. Indicated for dry stools and tense bowels. Organic, fresh aloe drinks are available from most health food stores. Take as directed.
Note: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding an suffering with constipation, please see your healthcare practitioner for specific health advice.