Natural and Effective Ways to Relieve Constipation

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All natural way to relieve constipation: Using dried figs, dried prunes, raisins and Smooth Move tea, you can make a jam that will help get things moving!

As an oncology nurse, talking constipation is as basic as talking about what’s for dinner. It’s my bread and butter. My friend told me about a recipe she got from a nurse called “Constipation Jam,” that is all-natural and a great way to relieve occasional, mild constipation. Anyone who has been severely constipated knows how painful it can be. Walking, tons of water, high fiber foods and a heat pack can help move things along, but sometimes you need a bit more help to get things moving. If you aren’t sure why you are constipated, talk to your doctor.

Note: This recipe is safe for pregnancy

Also Note: These recommendations are for adults. Please ask your pediatrician if OK for your kid to use Constipation Jam. Here is a great article with tips for Pediatric Constipation.

Ingredients:

100 grams of each: dried prunes (about 8), dried figs (about 5) and raisins (3 boxes of Sun-Made)
2 bags of “Smooth Move” tea, available from most grocery stores and all health food stores

You can find Smooth Move tea at most grocery stores and any health food store with the other boxed teas.

Directions:

Brew 1 cup of Smooth Move Tea ( from whole foods) with 2 teabags
Pour into a pot
Add 100 g of each: dry figs; raisins; prunes
Simmer for 20 min, covered.
Turn off the heat, leave covered overnight (or 8 hours)
Blend and pour into the glass jars. Keep refrigerated.
Take 1 tbs three times a day or adjust as needed.

Over The Counter Medicines

If you don’t feel like playing Martha Stewart for an afternoon, there are lots of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines available to help. I always tell people to start slowly, because the last thing you want is to then run into the opposite problem of diarrhea.

PHASE !:

If you are on experiencing mild constipation (like from surgery, taking pain medicine, etc.), I recommend taking 2 of these combination pills every night with a large glass of water to start with. You would only NOT take them if you have loose stools. This combo pill of Colace/Docusate Sodium (a mild stool SOFTENER) and Senna/Sennakot (a mild LAXATIVE) is incredibly mild. Senna is the same ingredient in Smooth Move tea. They also have this combo at any drugstore, but it can be a little tricky to find and the Amazon version is SO much cheaper. If 1-2 days has passed, you are taking these and are still constipated, it’s time to bump up the program.

This combination pill is a mild way to treat occasional constipation and a muse for anyone narcotics or who recently had surgery. This is also about 5x cheaper than buying each medicine individually.

PHASE 2:

After 1-2 days of constipation, I always recommend a dose of Miralax OR Dulcolax. They are moderate laxatives for most people and provide relief within 6-12 hours.

Miralax from Amazon is a moderate laxative that can relieve occasional constipation.

Dulcolax from Amazon is a moderate laxative that relieves most constipation within 6-12 hours.

PHASE 3: AKA Code Brown

You have been conservative and given your best to get things moving. It is now time for the Black Widow of Constipation Management: Magnesium Citrate. This. Stuff. Is. POWERFUL. Keep it in the refrigerator and drink a FULL glass of water with it. It will definitely make your cheeks pucker. Take 1/3 to 1/2 bottle, then stay near a toilet. You should have complete evacuation within 30 minutes to 6 hours normally.

Because you were SO backed up, if the next day you don’t have loose stools, start taking the colace-senna combination pills (2) per night to prevent yourself from getting into this situation again.

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One topic I have to mention (because I used to be a colon cancer nurse navigator), is if you have a big change in bowel movements for an extended period of time, talk to your doctor. I don’t want to frighten anyone, but there is a chance it could be a sign of colon cancer, particularly if you are over 50. One of my most favorite patients passed away from colon cancer and she always told people “my best friend and I made a pact never to get a colonoscopy because the thought was terrifying. Now I tell everyone I meet to get screened at 50!” You can save your own life if they find colon cancer early and the colonoscopy (when they remove polyps) is the treatment for early colon cancer!