You can take different types of herbal tea for constipation instead of using chemical laxatives to improve bowel movements. Most teas are soothing and relaxing but some teas have laxative properties to relieve you from those hard difficult stools.
Constipation means your stools are infrequent and difficult to pass. You may feel bloated. Missing out a stool or two in your general routine is not constipation. If you have not passed your stools for more than 3 times a week then you certainly have constipation. In that case, you need to improve your bowel movements to stay healthy.
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How Tea Relieves Constipation?
Tea provides soothing and relaxing experience to the entire body. Different teas produce this experience on varying degrees.
Teas generally hydrate your body. Hydration in the internal linings of the stomach helps improve bowel movements. In addition many teas display laxative properties. These natural laxatives in certain teas are far superior than the chemical laxatives available over the counter.
What Causes Constipation?
A number of different factors can cause constipation. Following are 2 most common causes of constipation:
- Not drinking enough liquids
- Poor diet - less fiber in diet
- Caffeine and alcohol
Certain medicines such as the following categories of drugs can cause Constipation
- antacids and antispasmodic drugs
- Iron tablets
- Anticonvulsant medicines
- Painkillers
- Diuretics
- Overuse of laxatives
Following medical conditions can also cause Constipation
- Intestinal obstruction
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Intestinal cancers
- Inflammatory adhesions
- Abdominal Hernia
- Postoperative adhesions
In Addition to these conditions some neurological and mechanical functioning of rectum can cause Constipation
7 Teas Good for Constipation
Following teas will help relieve your constipation
1. Black Tea
Black tea has mild laxative properties. It has been used for ages to relieve constipation. Black tea contains caffeine and theophylline. It also contains antioxidants. Most people use it early in the morning to attain smooth bowel movements. It is an excellent remedy for constipation.
2. Burdock Tea
Burdock tea is a very popular tea to fight both Inflammations and infections in the stomach. It is widely used to purify blood and cool internal heat. Burdock roots contain powerful antioxidants such as phenolic acids, quercetin and luteolin. Constipation is usually caused by Inflammations and burdock Tea does an excellent job of removing Inflammations and easing bowel movement.
3. Dandelion Tea
Dandlelion is more popular as a diuretic. It is also widely used for intestinal gases, upset stomach and muscle aches. It removes water from the body to the urinary system and acts as laxative in the stomach for relieving constipation. This adds more fluids in the stomach which results in better bowel movement.
4. Green Tea
Green tea has been in use for ages to treat various stomach problems. Green tea is now widely popular in weight reduction circles. Tea rich in antioxidants is a good natural remedy to relieve constipation. It stimulates the immune system and reduces Inflammations which in turn relieves constipation.
5. Licorice Tea
Licorice tea possesses very strong anti-inflammatory properties. Any Inflammations in the digestive tract can slow down the digestion and excretion process. Licorice tea removes the Inflammations and eases the digestion. This relieves constipation. Do not use licorice tea for extended periods. It contains certain compounds that are harmful in the long term.
6. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is very helpful in improving digestion. It helps in getting relief from upset stomach and constipation. It also helps in weight reduction and getting better sleep. It even helps irritable bowel syndrome. So next time you have constipation think of peppermint tea.
7. Senna Tea
Senna Tea is an FDA approved non prescription laxative. Glycosides in Senna tea act as a powerful laxative. They break down the stomach contents to ease excretion. Both the fruit and leaf of Senna are used as medicine. Senna contains chemicals called sennosides which irritate the lining of the bowel to cause laxative effect. Stop using Senna if you get diarrhea.
Precautions
Teas used to relieve constipation should be used for short term problem solving measures. You should not consume such teas for long term use. Because once you get used to these teas, their laxative properties will not have any impact in relieving constipation.
- Do not give teas with laxative properties to children. Only adults should use them and with restraint.
- Children should be encouraged to drink more fluids and eat more fiber rich foods to naturally treat their constipation
- Pregnant women shouldn't experiment with such teas with laxative to avoid any complications in their pregnancy
- Long term use of laxative teas can cause liver damage according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
If your constipation is not resolved within a week if consuming these teas or any other natural remedies then you must consult your doctor. There may be underlying conditions requiring treatment.