Constipation Relief the Ayurvedic Way: Gentle, Natural and Effective

In English

Constipation Is a Vata Problem

Ayurveda sees constipation as excess VATA, the dry, hard, cold quality. Common causes include:

• Too little fibre and water
• Lack of exercise
• Irregular meals and stress
• Eating too much dry, cold or heavy food

When waste stays in the gut too long, it can cause bloating, gas, pain, headache and bad breath.

1. Eat the Vata-Balancing Way

• Favour: warm, well-cooked food and vegetables, warm drinks, and a little ghee or oil in your food
• Reduce: cold food and drinks, dry snacks, raw salads and heavy beans

2. Triphala: Ayurveda's Classic Remedy

Steep ½ to 1 tsp Triphala in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes and drink it at bedtime. It is gentle and suits all body types.

Waking up at night to urinate? Soak it overnight in warm water and drink it first thing in the morning instead.

3. Nature's Laxative Fruits

Eat these between meals, about an hour after food:

• 2 ripe yellow bananas (not green, as unripe bananas are constipating)
• A peeled apple, chewed well
• A handful of raisins or soaked figs (anjeer)
• Papaya, prunes, peaches or pineapple juice

4. Warm Milk and Ghee

1 to 2 tsp ghee in a cup of hot milk at bedtime is gentle and effective, especially for Vata and Pitta types. Kapha types should use it only occasionally.

5. Flaxseed (Alsi)

At night, boil 1 tbsp flaxseed in a cup of water for 2 to 3 minutes and drink it, seeds and all. Drink plenty of water through the day