Home remedies for Constipation (Kabja/ Vibandha)

It means failure to evacuate faecal matter from the body, on a regular basis. There are several causes for constipation like (i) habit of suppressing the urge over long periods (ii) absence or non-availability of articles habitually used before defecation, such as drinking coffee or tea (iii) habituated use of laxatives.

Home Remedies:

1. Triphala powder is very popularly used for this condition. It contains three drugs namely – Haritaki (Harada), Vibhitaki (Baheda) and Amalaki (Amla). 5gm of this powder (1 tea spoon) should be taken nwith luke warm water at bed time.
2. The best to evacuate in chronic condition is castor oil. The castor oil used should be purified and diluted. The 4-6 tea spoon (20-30 ml.) of this oil is to be taken with warm milk.
3. 1 Teaspoonful of Sana leaves (Sanay) in 1 cup of hot milk at bedtime is an easy method to relieve constipation.

Diet consideration:

• Drink a glass of water early in the morning after washing the face and mouth.
• It is a better idea, if you can take a glass of warm milk at bedtime after adding a teaspoonful of ghee to it.
• Beans, dry grains, cabbage, mushrooms and other dry food should be avoided.
• Spices, which balance digestion- asafoetida (Hing), Ginger (Adraka), Cardamom (Elayachi) or Fennel (Saunf), should be taken with food to alleviate and promote the downward movement of gas.
• Try to avoid hot and spicy food and adequate fluids should be taken.
• Eat plenty of fruits and leafy vegetables as Papaya and sugarcane are very effective in relieving constipation.
• Use whole wheat flour and not refined flour.