Running over to the “natural” section of Whole Foods to grab a Smooth Move laxative herbal tea is not a good idea to relieve constipation quickly. In fact, laxatives can cause agitation and long-term constipation because your body becomes dependent. I know a few people who absolutely love Smooth Move and even one friend who takes 3 Smooth Moves every single day. However, even on the label it says very clearly that the product should not be used for over 1 week (As well as mentions a slew of other side effects).
Using Fresh Natural Juices to Relieve Constipation
There is one recipe for a fruit and veggie juice that has done the trick to many people who felt they could only resort to laxatives to make them go regularly. Here is the recipe:
Natural Constipation Remedy Juice Recipe:
- 1 head of kale
- 1 1/2 lemons
- 1 Apple or 2 small apples
- 4-5 stalks of celery
- 1 Persian Cucumber
- 1/2 head of lettuce
You take all of these and juice them in a juicer (not blend them) and the resulting juice taken first thing in the morning will very likely have you running to the bathroom. If not, take the same juice again in the morning the next day. 2 days should do the trick. (I use a juicer designed as a wheatgrass juicer, but that does an amazing job on this recipe, The Lexen Healthy Juicer)
This is not only peculiar to this exact juice recipe only. Almost any mostly-veggie juice helps a ton to go to the bathroom. The main ingredient to relive constipation in the juice is the kale, which is one of the most recommended foods by doctors and nutritionists.
This is not a miracle juice and is not proposed to be, however your body functions best on natural ingredients. Eating fruits and vegetables have been known to improve your health for centuries and can be the detoxifying ingredients that will return your body to its regular bowel movements.
Dangers of Laxatives
If you simply examine the warning labels on the most popular laxatives (which use the ingredient Senna Leaf as a primary ingredient.) you will see that they have harmful side effects and are not recommended for long-term use.
Do not be fooled by the front label that touts “Organic” because although it is organic, it is not healthy. Its own label says
Laxative products should not be used for a period of longer than 1 week unless directed by a doctor. Rectal bleeding or failure to have bowel movement after use of a laxative may indicate a serious condition…. Senna may produce abdominal pain…. Do not use if you have…abdominal pain”
The bottom line is that products such as these produce effects that your body will protest against. Your body will be inhibited in it’s natural course and will be forced to release feces when it is not ready to do so. You will also not be able to tell if you have nutritionally overcome constipation because the artificial solution covers up any real improvements.
Laxatives are “effective” in relieving constipation as far as getting rid of the waste in your body, but they also get rid of nutrients in your body. Potassium, sodium, and magnesium are some examples of nutrients that are excreted with laxatives that should stay in the body. Some of these are vital for the proper functioning of the heart and the colon. When these are depleted with laxatives, one of the most vital parts of your body for bowel movements, the colon, can cease to function correctly. So the laxative can help you go to the bathroom for day but can damage your ability to go to the bathroom on a long-term basis.
Dehydration is also be a by-product of laxative use and can cause shaking, weakness, damage to organs and, when very severe, can require a visit to the hospital. Regular bowel movements does not cause dehydration because you only get rid of waste in your body. When using a laxative, you also are getting rid of water (as the label says on Smooth Move, it can cause liquid bowel movements) and nutrients.
Testimonial of using natural juice for constipation
“I kept having to go to the bathroom all morning!” —Whitney
This was a person that I helped take juice every morning and on the second day had amazing results. She had been previously taking Smooth Move tea from the recommendation of a friend and ended up with bloody feces before she decided to stop. Luckily I helped her get on the juice as a natural solution and it worked better than the laxative tea for her. She has fully replaced her tea and is now on the road to a healthy lifestyle with regular bowel movements.
Finally! A juice I can drink to cure my constipation.
Madeleine Giorgio recently posted…My Latest Post
My 2 yrs 10 mths old girl can drink this recipe??
She is having constipation since she was baby till now..