Constipation: A Disease Of Intellectuals?

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Constipation is a common health problem around the world. It is fact that the victims of constipation are mostly intellectuals who spent most of their time in mind related activities, they do not do physical works. Contarary to this, the labour class or sportsmen who do more physical works than the intellectuals, suffer less from this disease. In this article, I am trying to explain the possible reasons of constipation and its natural and herbal cure with reference to Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

Irregular diet : This is one of the important reason responsible for constipation. Spicy foods, overeating, fast foods, inadequate chewing etc. are also responsible. It is clearly mentioned in Ayurveda that diet, sex and sleep are increases with increased desire and there is no limit. So, one has to take his diet in proper balance. It is also mentioned that take meals by your own choice and wear clothes of other's choice.

Less Physical activities : Generally rich and intellectuals do less physical activities. This results in constipation.

Habit to delay the natural call by force : It is a general habit that when we are engaged in some work or watching movies or engaged in any kind of entertainment, we try to avoid the natural call. In the process of delaying, many times we get success. In Ayurveda, this delaying is considered the major cause of constipation. This delaying generates gases in the body which gives birth to many related complications.

Overwork : Hectic routine gives little time to inner organs to work properly. This results in constipation. This is the reason why after deep sleep, motion become clear. Timely and deep sleep not only removes the gastric problems but also help you to become healthy.

Mental Tension : According to Ayurveda, continuous mental tension, bad and sex related thoughts are also responsible for constipation.

Less intake of water : Less intake of water is also responsible for constipation.

Use of narcotics : The regular habit of taking narcotics likes tobacco, cigarettes, opium, wine etc. reduces the activity which results in constipation.

Weakness of intestines : According to Ayurveda, regular uses of purgative produces weakness in intestines.In many books, cleaniness of place (i. e. latrine) is also considered as important factors. You might have seen that even dog cleans the place before excretion.

Indian Ways of treating constipation

(1) Make your life regular, To avoid the mental tension start meditation and yoga.

(2) Daily two motions (One morning and another evening) are essential. The number of motions required depends upon the number of meals you are taking. If you take three meals a days, motions should be thrice a day. It is mentioned in Ayurveda that. 

EK bar yogi,

DO bar Bhogi,

TEEN bar Rogi.

(If you have one motion a day (means one meal a day) your are perfect like Yogi (Saint); If you have two motions a day (means two meals a day) you are Bhogi, Hedonist, Voluptuary and if you have three motions a day (means three meals a day) you are Rogi, Patient.) Always try to go for motion at fixed time. Although there is no urge, but go to latrine at fixed times (just for formal visit). After some days you will observe that it is coming at that fixed time. This is due to your biological clock, nature has fitted in your body.

Once in a week take no meals and take only fruits. This will give rest to your intestines and after proper rest it will work more efficiently. Always take bath in cold (not very cold) water. Invest some time in entertainment after every meal. This will improve you digestion. Sit tension free when you are at meal. Avoid phone calls.

Isabgol is most popular natural purgative in India. The scientific name of Isabgol is Plantago ovata. You will be surprised to know that India is No. 1 in cultivation and export of Isabgol. Among the states, Gujarat is No. 1 in India. Isabgol is reputed Ayurvedic medicine. Plantago ovata is reputed drug in Homoeopathy. As Homoeopathic drug it is not used as purgative. In Homoeopathy, it is used as pain killer both internally and externally. Isabgol is recommended as purgative in many reputed books. I have also tried it. Take two tea spoon full of Isabgol husk and dip it in water for 6 hours. After 6 hours, take it with sugar. You can also take dry Isabgol husk alone or with sugar without dipping in water. Isabgoal has unique property. When it is taken with water it act as purgative but when it is taken with curd it stops the loose motion. This is the reason why it is considered as a regulator (not the purgative) in Ayurveda.

Gram (Chickpea) is a boon for the patients suffering from constipation. Dip the fistful of gram in water overnight and next morning eat it. If this not suits you, you can take the boiled gram with salt and ginger. Chapati prepared from gram flour is also recommended. If you are feeling discomfort, you can prepare Chapati by mixing wheat and gram flour in equal ration. This will give the familiar taste to the Chapaties.

Drink plenty of water daily. Drink at least 5-6 litres of water daily. If it is not feasible, after waking in morning before motion drink at least 4 glasses ( 1 litre) of water I know, it is quite difficult but it will become a routine after some days. Never take tea, coffee or any hot drink to generate a pressure. My grandmother has taken the Lemon water with black pepper and table salt life long before motion. It helped her to fight with the problems of digestive systems even in old age. If possible, try to make your latrine in Indian style which are more effective and scientific.

Include Amaranthus, Lentil, Water melon, dry fruits , whey milk etc. in your daily meal. This will help you to overcome your problem.

Never take water or any drink during and after (up to 1 hour) meal. If it is most essential, you can sip water during the meal.

Avoid drugs and purgatives for constipation. If necessary, try the Homoeopathic medicine Nux Vomica 30. Take 4 pills daily before sleep for a week. This will regulate your motion.

Honey is a natural mild purgative. You can take 50 gms. of Honey in fresh water or milk in morning and before sleep.

Put a wet cloth on abdomen and keep a layer of wet clay soil on it and again wrap it with wet cloth. Leave this as such for whole night ( on your abdomen). Next morning you will feel good. This mud treatment is useful for patients suffering from chronic constipation.

Take a glass of hot milk with Gulkand (Syrup prepared from fresh petals of pink rose flower) for at least one week.

Take one onion daily with meal.

During my visits to tribal region of Chhattisgarh, I have seen the plant of Shankar Jata (Acalypha sp.) . The folk doctors, recommend the leaves of this plant for chronic constipation. The leaves are rolled and insert inside the anus for seconds, this stimulates the rectum and stool comes out spontaneously.

In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that sleeping under neath the Bahera tree (Terminalia bellirica) keeps the motion regular. I have yet not experienced it as Bahera plant at my herbal garden is of not much height. In Ayurveda, Triphala powder is recommended for chronic constipation. Triphala (Tri-Three; Phala : Fruits) is prepared mixing equal amounts of Harra (Terminalia chebula), Bahera and Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruits. So, you can plant this useful plant in your garden.