Why do you get constipation?
Are you suffering from constipation? Do you delay seeking help due to fear of embarrassment and a negative response from healthcare professionals? Although constipation is not a life-threatening, disease most people experience psychological, social and educational consequences that require prolonged support. Constipation is the most common problem that is characterized by weak bowel movements that are fewer than three bowel movements a week, and are hard, dry, and small, which make an individual difficult to pass stools.
Persistent constipation is often related to a problem in diet. Necessary dietary changes can help sort out the problem. However, there are various other remedies that can help treat such conditions from its roots which include homeopathy treatment for constipation. Homeopathy offers individualized as well as clinical treatment for individuals suffering from a specific condition like constipation, or a condition that involves a series of in‐depth consultations.
How does homeopathy help constipation?
Homeopathy and Constipation! How does it work?
Homeopathy, which uses a holistic approach in its therapeutic practice, is potentially effective in treating constipation to current conventional treatments. Homeopathic medicines for gas and constipation can be used in both acute as well as chronic cases of constipation in people of all age groups. Research has also shown that persons treated with homeopathic medicines like Nux Vomica, Opium, Alumina, Bryonia Alba, Silicea and etc.have wonderfully responded to the Homeopathic treatment. In fact these treatments have also shown its desired effects in treating conditions such as piles and anal fissures arising from long term constipation.
Homeopathic medicines for constipation, gas & bloating
Some of the effective homeopathic remedies for constipation are listed below:
1. Bryonia
Bryonia Alba is a homeopathic remedy whose roots are being used traditionally as a medicine to treat a variety of disorders like pleurisy, constipation, pain, and other inflammatory conditions.
Uses- Acts as a stool softener treats obstinate constipation, abdominal distension that results from hard stools, and Headache from constipation may also be effectively treated with Bryonia Alba.
See: Ayurvedic herbs for digestion & gut health
2. Calcarea carbonica
It is impure form of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, which is extracted from the middle layer of oyster shells. It has been extensively used in disorders related to mental, joint and bone problems, chest problems, urogenital problems, gastrointestinal problems, perspiration, dental and chest problems.
It help improves bowel motility, and also provide relief in individuals who suffer from discomfort and fatigue when the bowels have moved.
See: Home remedies for gas & bloating pain
3. Causticum
McClellan C (2015)The Homeopathy Remedy: Causticum. Int J Complement Alt Med 1(5): 00027. DOI: 10.15406/ijcam.2015.01.00027
Causticum is a homeopathic constitution of calcium sulphate and potassium hydroxide obtained in the marble state, and is insoluble in water.
Causticum is a homeopathic remedy for severe constipation and is prescribed in conditions where the stool appears to be narrow and full of mucus and in conditions where a person experiences difficulty in passing stool, followed by painful straining.
See: Nausea Treatment In Ayurveda
4. Graphites
Graphite’s is one of the carbon remedies, that is of great value in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders like constipation, ulcers, IBS and other stomach problems. Graphite’s as homeopathy treatment is known to relieve constipation by acting as a stool softener and improving the bowel motility in conditions where the stools are large, knotty, hard, and covered in viscid mucus. It also improves condition like heaviness in the lower abdomen, which is often associated with anal itching and burning.
See: Foods That Prevent Acid Reflux GERD
5. Lycopodium
http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/l/lyc.htm
Lycopodium clavatum is a fungal spores often referred as club moss is used as dust pills as its an unreactive substance. Lycopodium is a known remedy for urinary or digestive disturbance. A person suffering from constipation and experiencing very hard,small, incomplete and difficult to pass stools are prescribed with this treatment. It also helps correct the weakening, or failures associated with the digestive system, where the function of the liver is seriously disturbed.
See: Coconut oils and other Omega-3 fatty acids-rich sources for complementary treatment of Alzheimer
6. Natrum muriaticum
https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/natrum-muriaticum
Natrum muriaticum commonly known as table salt or sodium chloride is a homeopathic remedy that is used in chronic ailments. Salt is an important constituent of the body that regulates the body fluids and tissues, and lack of salt can dysregulate the normal functioning of the body. Natrum muriaticum is used as a homeopathic remedy in constipation where it helps regain the lack of fluid in the body, and relieves constipation with dry stools.
7. Nux vomica
Constipation often results in chilliness, headaches, soreness around the anus and constricting pains in the bowels or rectal area which is due to lumpy or hard stools present in the rectum that are hard to pass. In such condition Nux Vomica is a homeopathic remedy for gas and constipation.
8. Sepia
Sepia is prescribed in conditions where a person with constipation experiences a heavy sensation in the rectum, even after passing bowel. This homeopathic remedy is often useful to women who develop constipation during their menstrual phase.
9. Silicea (also called Silica)
Silicea/silica is often recommended in conditions where a person tries hard to pass the stools but end up in failure.
10. Sulphur
Constipation that alternates with diarrhea and discolored stools, reddish inflammation around the anus, along with uncontrollable flatulence can be controlled by consuming homeopathic remedy like Sulphur.
Studies in homeopathy for constipation
Is there any Science and research conducted to showcase the efficacy of homeopathy treatment in constipation?
The Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Treatment on Constipation. Nakhooda, F., Solomon, E. M. and Tsele-Tebakang, T. February 2016
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/54193540.pdf
The study included thirteen adults suffering from constipation meeting the Rome II criteria out of which ten participants completed the study. Homeopathic remedy like Bryonia alba, Mercurius solubilis,Natrium muriaticum, Calcarea carbonica, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla and Sepia were administered over a six week period. During the study four consultations per participant were carried out in which they were asked to maintain Bowel Function Diary and Bristol Stool Form Scale, record changes in defecation quality and frequency.
The results of the study were found to be positive and holistic, where all the 10 participants indicated an improvement in stool frequency, stool form and ease of evacuation along with a better state of general and emotional wellbeing.
Summary
Homeopathic treatment is found to be an effective approach for the management of chronic constipation in both adults and children. Homeopathic remedies are often considered to take a long time to work. But,they offer a more holistic approach when compared to conventional treatments and can be adopted. However, these treatments need further research to establish its effectiveness in treating constipation.
See: What Is Acidity? Causes, Symptoms, And Natural Treatments
