Constipation

DESCRIPTION
Constipation is diagnosed as a chronic delay of a normal bowel pattern.

Bowel habits vary widely, although there is a tendency for those eating a typical Western diet, with less roughage (fibre) and more fats to experience less frequent elimination than diets with more variety and nutritious fibre.

In rare cases, various diseases can influence elimination, including nerve damage and endocrine imbalances.

HERBS
Cascara Sagrada (1)
Ginger
Liquorice

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLIMENTS
Magnesium
Vitamin C

HOMOEOPATHY
Bryonia
Large dry stools despite drinking plenty of fluids.

Nux vom.
Marked spasm leads to ineffectual urging.
Feeling of incomplete emptying.
May have overused laxatives in the past.

Silicea
Stools large and hard.
Difficult to pass, seem to slip back in again.

Pulsatilla
Can have alternating constipation and Diarrhoea.
Varies tremendously from day to day.

Sulphur
Consider if there is burning in the back pasSage .
May have alternating constipation and Diarrhoea.

REFERENCES
1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 128-30.