Natural cures for constipation

Have a colonic

For immediate relief, have a colonic. Colonic hydrotherapy helps soften and release any impacted matter in the colon; it is also a great tool for detoxification and helps the body’s natural elimination process by gently decongesting and clearing out the waste.

Colon hydrotherapy also helps re-tone a sluggish bowel, and helps rebuild the brain/bowel connection, so that you feel the urge to go to the toilet again (often people with chronic constipation no longer feel the need to pass a bowel motion).

The process involves the slow and gentle introduction of water into the colon under low pressure and controlled temperature. This water is massaged around the colon to enable encrusted faecal matter to be released from the bowel wall, and to be expelled down a waste tube. It does not involve any unpleasant odours, nor a lot of running to the toilet (as enemas inevitably do).

A good colonic treatment should enable cleansing of the entire colon as far as the ileo-caecal valve (where the small intestine joins with the colon), and can take anywhere between 30 to 40 minutes depending on the state of the colon in question. However it must be emphasized that a single colonic will not usually suffice to clear the colon completely. It's a good idea to book two or three for maximum effect.

During the treatment, herbs, coffee or blue-green algae may be introduced to the colonic water to enhance the cleansing process to help cleanse the liver, or encourage the bowel to eliminate better or to help heal the bowel wall.

I should point out that this is an area I specialise in. So if you're interested in learning more, or just want to talk through the process, you can call me (Debbie) anytime for a free 15 minute consultation.

My number is 020 7411 9824 (this is a freephone number and there is no commitment to purchase anything).

Or you can ask me a question online or see how much a colonic costs.

By the way, colonics are safe and they do not hurt! Here's what Miriam Till had to say about her recent colonic:

Miriam Till

When I first visited Deborah naturally I was a little anxious due to the nature of the visit. In all honesty I did not realise that the 'part' I had feared had already taken place! I thought she was joking when she assured me that the speculum was already inserted.

The first treatment took around 60 minutes, but felt like only 10 minutes. It was a wonderful feeling.

—Miriam Till

Avoid these foods

You're going to have give up some of your favourite foods. But how badly do you want to alleviate your constipation? There are often replacements you can eat that are just as tasty. You've just got to make some changes. After all, what do we have if we don't have our health. What good is money if we are in pain and ill?

Foods to avoid:

red meat: it has a long transit time through the bowel and should only be eaten in moderation (make sure it is organic, to avoid any antibiotic & hormonal residues in the meat and chew well before you swallow).
milk: many people do not have the enzyme needed to break down lactose, the sugar in milk, which can also lead to putrefaction in the bowel (causes gas & bloating).
dairy produce: if you tend to be a fan of dairy, try removing it from your diet for 2 weeks and see what happens. Dairy based foods are mucus forming, which leads to inflammation in the body. However, organic rice, goats & oat milks are better tolerated. Generally people who cut out dairy feel more energised, lose weight, and are far less bloated.
refined sugars: cakes, biscuits, desserts and highly processed foods ferment in the gut causing gas, bloating and sticky stools. These sugars also feed all the unhealthy bacteria in the gut and damage the immune system.
pasta, bread and pastries: reduce or eliminate them! If you think about it, when you mix flour and water, it makes a gooey paste. It does the same thing in your body, becoming all sticky and hard to move through your bowel. White flour is also bleached—do you really want bleached products in your body?!

It’s generally understood that refining food destroys nutrients. With the most nutritious part of the grain removed, white flour essentially becomes a form of sugar. Consider what gets lost in the refining process:
- half of the beneficial unsaturated fatty acids,
- virtually all of the vitamin E,
- fifty percent of the calcium,
- seventy percent of the phosphorus,
- eighty percent of the iron,
- ninety eight percent of the magnesium,
- fifty to 80 percent of the B vitamins,
- many more nutrients are destroyed—simply too many to list.

Lose the pasta, seriously. Especially for dinner.

Really avoid these

cigarettes
coffee
refined sugars
alcohol
aspirin, neurofen, paracetamol etc.
fizzy drinks
fatty and fried foods
processed foods
orange juice

We all have our bad habits. But just avoid this stuff for a week or two—trust me. Then when you can't resist that cigarette or that can of coke you'll feel the negative effect immediately. You'll put two and two together and it won't be so hard to avoid temptation next time.

If you're finding it hard to adapt, try looking at this more as a lifestyle choice you have chosen as you decide to love and cherish your wonderful body.

A new breakfast

Have a good, healthy breakfast—not cereals from the supermarkets (as I mentioned earlier) I'm talking about natural muesli or porridge oats, with no added sugars. Then:

add linseeds,
add 1 to 2 capfuls of aloe vera (I recommend Aloe Gold by Higher Nature),
add a good quality omega 3 oil,
add a handful of berries or other fruits you like that are in season.

Increase the fibre in your diet

Ok. You knew this one was coming.

Commonly used and known dietary fibre sources include: wheat bran, psyllium and oat fibre. Unfortunately many people experience negative reactions and/or intolerances to wheat (gluten) and/or psyllium containing foods and supplements, making their symptoms worse.

Less commonly known and yet beneficial foods fibres include: beetroot fibre (raw), pea fibre, oat gum, rice bran, apple pectin, apple fibre, cellulose, xanthan gums and linseeds.

As your intake of fibre increases, so should your intake of fluids, preferably water. Failure to do this, may result in stool impaction and bowel obstruction, and/or worsening of symptoms, bloating and pain or discomfort.

Here are some other ways to increase fibre in your diet:

Slippery elm (my favourite): this comes from a species of elm native to North America. When mixed with active Manuka honey, slippery elm creates a delicious tea that cools and sooths the oesophagus and intestines; it's non-digestible qualities heal the gut wall and feed the good bacteria.
Psyllium husks: 1 -2 teaspoons/day can be incorporated into your daily routine, but you must drink lots of water. Psyllium is unique because it will help soften your stool if you’re constipated, or reduce the frequency of your bowel movements if you have loose stools. Think of it like a broom, cleaning out your intestines of old, impacted faeces and toxins. Therefore it is essential to drink lots of water, to help flush these out of the body.
Milk thistle: supports the liver and helps stimulate bowel movement.
Probiotics: these are necessary to re-establish the correct balance of good and bad gut flora in the bowel. They should be of a good quality and enteric coated (I recommend Ultra Probioplex ND Capsules from Metagenics), to ensure they do not get damaged by the stomach acid, and make it to the bowel—which is where they need to be.

Especially avoid products like Actimel and Yakult as:
1. they are high in sugar, which feeds the bad bacteria and
2. the living bacteria will mostly get killed off by the stomach acid when it hits the stomach rather than entering the bowel.

Meet your friendly food & drink

Increase fibre (as mentioned above).
Eat brown rice, rice bran, chickpeas, lentils, beans like black-eyed beans, kidney, haricot, butter & cannelloni.
Linseeds (flaxseeds) are a blend of insoluble and soluble fibres, which bulk the stool, encouraging it to move gently through the bowel. Use at least 1 tablespoon in either a fruit smoothie, porridge or muesli.
Fresh figs, apricots & dried (but they are higher in sugar).
A handful of nuts and seeds each day.
Lightly steamed or raw vegetables.
Varied and fresh salads.
Fresh tuna fish, salmon or chicken (not tinned).
Avocado salad (watercress, lettuce, rocket, dandelion leaf, a variety of green leaves, eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers (not green), sprouts, seeds, avocado).
Soups (vegetable, chicken, carrot & coriander, watercress, but not cream based).
Chicken stew.
At least 6 glasses of water per day. Try and have at least 1 large glass of water as soon as you wake up, before eating or drinking anything else (add a squeeze of lemon).

Some more tips

Here are some dietary supplements which will help your constipation:

1 to 2 teaspoons of supergreens such as Kiki’s Superfoods; it is packed full of energising, detoxing, antioxidant nutrients. It also alkalizes the blood, helping neutralize chronic acidity.
2000-3000mg of Vitamin C powder per day. This can help soften the stool and help boost the immune system. Not the fizzy tablets which contain sugar; try Mixed Ascorbates from Biocare.
400mg Magnesium at night – nature’s tranquiliser! Magnesium helps relax smooth muscle and is brilliant if you are under chronic stress. It will also help improve your sleep and get rid of muscle cramps and twitches. It also supports a healthy heart, lowers high blood pressure and helps with PMS; try Nutri Ultra MusclEze.
Add in freshly juiced raw beetroots, which are high in antioxidants and beneficial bowel flora. Don’t panic if your urine is pink and your stool turns a purply colour—it's natural!
Aloe Ferox crystals are a type of super-concentrated aloe vera that act as a natural digestive enzyme and also have a probiotic effect on the bowel flora, providing the stools with more mucus. This in turn encourages regular bowel movements, without causing troublesome diarrhoea. Take 1-2 capsules daily before meals.
Colosan is an oxiginating powder which helps to cleanse the bowel and detoxify the body; it keeps the bowels open and regular. It is a non-addictive supplement and is safe for long term use (unlike cascara). An added benefit: it brings more oxygen to the body and so helps with overall health.
Massage your abdomen - a 10 minute regular night time massage of the abdomen before falling asleep helps improve your bowel motion in the morning.
Squatting is the best, natural position to help expel stool from your colon and reduce your risk of haemorrhoids. It's still the way many people around the world go to the bathroom. In your home, you can get many of the same benefits by placing a stool or bin near your toilet to raise your knees. You can purchase a special squatting device to modify your toilet, or simply squat on your own toilet.
Regular exercise helps stimulate circulation and intestinal function, causing your bowels to move more freely.

And that's it!

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How to Really Cure Constipation

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Inside you'll discover:

10 ways to check for constipation.
8 types of medicine that can cause constipation.
Why All-Bran cereal actually makes things worse.
Why pasta is the worst thing you can eat.
7 things you can do right now to cure your constipation naturally.

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Call Deborah on 020 7411 9824 for a free phone consultation, check out our prices, or:

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If you've already booked an appointment, please check out these 7 tips for how to prepare for a comfortable colonic.

Convenient location

North London Colonics
192 Goldhurst Terrace
West Hampstead
London
NW6 3HN

Affordable

First 60-90 minute treatment is £120 (normally £135, see voucher above).

Repeat treatments are £100 (for 1hr).

See prices for more deals.

Clinic hours

Monday to Friday: 8am - 8pm
Saturday: 9am - 6pm

Experienced therapists

Deborah Laniado (CNM, ARCH, Dip. Herb) is an experienced colonic hydrotherapist with 100s of satisfied London clients.