Constipation is a condition whereby the stools become difficult to pass or stop moving altogether for some time.

According to Ayurveda, constipation occurs when vata’s (is one of the three doshas or energies in ayurvedic medicine) cold and dry qualities disturb the colon, disturbing its normal functioning.

Symptoms of Constipation:

Constipation is typically accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Straining during a bowel movement
• Being unable to have a bowel movement
• A sense that a bowel movement was incomplete
• A feeling of being blocked up
• The stools themselves can be dry, hard, and pellet-like (but do not have to be for someone to be experiencing constipation)

Causes of Constipation:

The most common causes of constipation include:

• Intake of dry, rough food that causes dryness in the body
• Excessive consumption of pungent and salty foods
• Low water intake
• Night awakening
• Working in strong sunlight
• Sedentary lifestyle

Ayurvedic Remedies for Managing Constipation

The following strategies specifically acts against vata’s cold and dry qualities and are extremely helpful in supporting the return of normal bowel (intestinal) movements.

• Drinking plenty of warm or hot Water and herbal teas
• Increasing the quantity of organic oils in your diet
• Eating plenty of fruits
• Drinking certain fruit juices like prune and pineapple
• Taking milk with ghee and having soaked flax seeds
• Taking Vata herbs, triphala (3 fruits) an ayurvedic formula to make healthy elimination of stools. Triphala powder or triphala tablets are available, you should have it half an hour before going to bed.

General preventive measures to avoid constipation

• Taking plenty of fluids (avoid excess water intake on an empty stomach)
• Practicing regular exercise
• Avoiding coffee, tea, and smoking
• Avoiding harmful food combinations like fish and milk or milk and sour fruits