How to Relieve Constipation Naturally

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When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But what if you can't? Unburden yourself with these tried and true natural remedies, which really get things moving.

Step 1: Try an acupressure trick
Try this acupressure trick: Hold your hands up, palms toward you, and tap the sides of your hands against each other. Then, cross your arms in front of you like a genie, so that your palms rest on your elbows and tap that area. Alternate tapping the two points for five to 10 minutes. This helps induce a bowel movement by stimulating your colon.

Step 2: Strike a pose
Try yoga: the shoulder-stand pose and wind-relieving pose both move the stomach and intestines in directions that can help food pass through the body. Find video instructions on Howcast.com.

Step 3: Eat rhubarb
Eat rhubarb, which contains anthraquinone, a compound that has a laxative effect.

Step 4: Avoid foods that can constipate you further
Avoid foods that can constipate you further, like sugar and sweets; white bread, white rice, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs.

Step 5: Take flaxseed
Take one tablespoon of ground flaxseed two or three times a day with at least 8 ounces of water.

Step 6: Raise your knees
When the urge hits and you're on the toilet, help move things along by lifting your legs off the floor so that your knees are higher than your bottom. This simulates a squat, the ideal position for moving your bowels.

Tip
Putting your feet on a stool makes this more comfortable.

Step 7: Prevent future bouts
Prevent future bouts by drinking more water, eating more fiber-rich foods, and getting enough exercise. Too little of any of these can cause constipation.

Did You Know?
Famous Greek physician Hippocrates believed that eating garlic every day prevented constipation.