Constipation refers to the infrequent passage of stool, where the norm is considered to be once per day. Constipation affects most people from time to time due to a temporary change of routine or diet; however, chronic constipation is a major problem affecting many people living on the modern urban diet and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Hypothyroidism, coeliac disease, diabetes, iron supplements, or pharmaceutical medication are other possible causes. Constipation is also a common complaint during pregnancy.

Apart from a dry, hard stool, symptoms can include bloating, nausea, headache, abdominal discomfort, or a sense that the task is never quite done. The consequences of chronic constipation can affect health due to inflammation in the lining of the gut, the disturbance of bowel flora, putrefaction of bowel contents, and the re-absorption of wastes into the circulation, something we call auto-intoxication. Habitual straining can also lead to haemorrhoids or fissures.

The importance of nutrient absorption, metabolism and waste excretion are obvious to most people, but the relationship to the rest of the body is not so obvious unless you appreciate that the gut is like the hub of a wheel from which all other tissues are nourished, cleansed or polluted. This is reflected in the iridology chart where the bowel is at the centre surrounding the pupil. With careful analysis, the eye reveals the state of the organs of elimination and consequently the load on tissues and other organs when constipation allows wastes to be re-absorbed.

Treatment:

General

The most obvious causes of constipation are dehydration, lack of fibre in the diet, and too little exercise. Physical activity of any kind or duration will help, especially for people who spend their whole day at a desk. The urge to go to the toilet must also be followed promptly where possible.

Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, the required amount being relative to the colour of the urine. It should tend towards a pale, yellow colour or be like water. Two tablespoons of olive oil each day will also help.

Reduce factory-foods to a discretionary allowance of 5-10% and things should start moving as gut function returns to a natural balance. This can be assisted with a probiotic supplement, and the consumption of natural yoghurt or kefir. Replace white bread with wholegrain sourdough. Dairy foods can also be a problem, especially for people of blood type O, who are best-suited to a Paleo diet.

Evaluate any medications for side-effects. These include antacids, antibiotics, analgesics and psyche medicines. Check thyroid function and ensure that the diet contains adequate sources of iodine as the soils in Australia are deficient (ocean fish, kelp, dulse, iodised salt). Check also for underlying anaemia.

Remove any aluminium cookware from the kitchen and replace with stainless steel or ceramic cookware. The homeopathic provings for aluminium produce severe constipation with no urge for days, even with soft stool.

Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate) 1-2 tsp. in water can also be used to relax the bowel, which may indicate a lack of minerals such as magnesium and potassium in the diet due to low vegetable consumption. Magnesium also calms a nervous system suffering chronic stress which adversely affects the gut.

Diet

Follow Dr. Denis Burkitt’s advice and ‘don’t forget fibre in your diet.’ Like many old-fashioned doctors and naturopaths (Tilden, Jensen, Lane, Lindlahr, Voss, Vogel, Christopher, Barker), he attributed all manner of health problems to lack of fibre and stagnation in the bowels. Fruit, vegetables and wholegrains contain plenty of fibre, unlike ultra-processed foods and bottled juices. Use also psyllium, oats, flax and slippery elm to get things moving. Figs and prunes also have fibre and laxative properties.

These simple measures should be enough to reduce the need for enemas, colonics or purgatives in the long term as natural function returns to a body made ill by poor habits and excess convenience foods. And also remember to relax while eating, and chew food properly as this calms the nervous system, switching it into parasympathetic mode (rest and digest) which stimulates secretions and peristalsis.

Herbs

The first approach to using herbs is to improve digestive system function generally: dandelion root, yellow dock, liquorice root and artichoke will assist the gut while improving liver function. Liquorice root is especially good for children. There are many bitter herbs to improve secretions, herbs to reduce wind, and more herbs to calm the gut or treat indigestion (gentian, ginger, fennel, chamomile, angelica, etc.).

A bulk laxative such as linseed (also kelp, psyllium) can be used to relax a spastic bowel, soothe irritated membranes, and help heal the gut just like slippery elm in cases if irritable bowel syndrome. Yellow dock is a mild laxative and liver herb which will stimulate secretions, help cleanse the gut where there are skin complaints, and provide iron as a replacement for iron supplements (which may cause constipation). It is safe to use in pregnancy.

Butternut (Juglans cinera) is also a safe laxative herb with additional liver activity. The bark can be made into a syrup when boiled with honey or liquorice

Turkey rhubarb (Rheum officinale) is more specific for constipation. We can of course stew the stalks of common garden rhubarb, but the official herb has bitter activity to stimulate the liver, bile secretion and digestion, while also helping to improve appetite. It is also astringent with some antiseptic activity. In addition, rhubarb increases peristalsis and is a mild purgative suitable for children. To reduce griping it can be combined with ginger or fennel, and we don’t use it in pregnancy.

Alexandrian senna (Cassia acutifolia) is also a purgative, but much stronger, and should be used as infrequently as possible for an atonic bowel, as it makes the bowel lazy. This is commonly found in all manner of over-the-counter preparations and combines well with prunes or figs, as well as fennel or chamomile for griping. It is also to be avoided in pregnancy just like Cascara sagrada.

Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is a bitter herb which increases secretions. It is also a mild purgative because of its irritant action on the intestines, restoring peristalsis and tone. Avoid using this herb in the long term. It can be taken in 15 drop doses three times per day, then twice, and finally reduced to once in the morning.

Cell Salts

Kali phos and Mag phos are used to improve nervous system function and stress tolerance. Nat mur is for dryness with an infrequent urge, every second day. Silica suits a chilly type with ineffective evacuation.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for the purpose of general education only, and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment advice, or a prescription that is given in a consultation with a qualified physician.