What is constipation?

According to mainstream medicine a person is considered constipated when they have not had a bowel movement for three consecutive days. The Ayurvedic view is that constipation begins after 24 hours without a bowel movement.

What are the causes of constipation?

Any male or female of any age can become constipated, for a variety of reasons. It commonly happens when there is insufficient fibre in the diet, but can also be caused by a change in routine or lifestyle, for example a change in eating habits or by a lack of fluid. Another common cause is hormonal imbalance; about 40% of women suffer constipation during their pregnancy and it also affects many women during their period.

Although constipation may not in itself appear to be particularly serious it can lead to more severe complications if it develops in to chronic constipation. These include haemorrhoids, faecal impaction in the rectum and faecal incontinence (leakage of liquid stools). After 24 hours any waste remaining in the colon will begin to ferment; the water is reabsorbed and the faeces dries out and adheres to the walls of the colon. The fermentation can cause the most constipation symptoms of flatulence and possibly a bad odour emanating from the body.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Constipation

Ayurvedic constipation treatment focuses very strongly on restoring the peristaltic activity of the gut. Many of the highly processed foods that form part of our diet are broken down into such fine particles that they clog the gut lining and stifle peristalsis. It is with this in mind that Ayurvedic herbal powders are prepared to a specific particle size which does not allow this to happen. Modern bread and pasta are generally made from very fine flour containing little fibre and sausages contain meat in the form of a paste. Such items are less likely to create a problem when consumed together with salad. In general, vegetables and fruits are better eaten raw. Brown rice eaten as part of the meal also helps movement, as does a bowl of watermelon or black grapes after the meal. These are all natural remedies for constipation relief.

I recall meeting a very healthy man in Tasmania who had the habit of eating a handful of sultanas before a meal. When I asked him why he did this he said that it was just a habit he had learned as a child. He enjoyed it so much that he had continued to do it throughout his life, without having any particular reason. He was however able to confirm my suggestion that he always had excellent bowel activity in the mornings.

Ayurvedic constipation treatment also involves attention to the mucus lining of the gut, which should never be allowed to dry out. Medicines should not be necessary, provided that adequate water is consumed, although no more than a glass is recommended with a meal as too much will dilute the chyme and interfere with proper digestion.

How to relieve constipation the Ayurvedic way is therefore quite clearly a preferable approach to the consumption of laxatives, upon which the system can in any case become eventually dependent. A simple understanding of constipation causes should enable most sufferers to make changes to their diet and eating habits which should result in quick relief.

If would like more help in the treatment for constipation please contact us at the Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre on 1300 552 260.