CONSTIPATION--one whole week

[RAWCA]

Hi All-

I have been consuming green smoothies and fruits regularly..but an experienceing constipation ..where I am only going to the bathroom 2 times a week..is this normal to happen on raw? what should i do?


Also, I am drinking alot of water..amlost 2-3 liters/


Thanks in advance for any advice

[SmilingRawDancer]

Could it be stress? I've used an herb, Ho Shou Wu (fo-Ti) in the past for constipation. I'm sure others have better advice, just wait for it.
Good luck!

[Veganforlife]

Consume grapefruit - gets one "going". Also, get up and move!!! Rebounding really helps...

[isabelephant]

I've got the same problem...
been doing enemas just to get things going but the problem doesn't seem to be going away. :(

[rawfigure]

get some Slippery Elm too.

[solarliving]

Apples have always helped me. You can try squatting. There was a post on it a while back. I just put my feet on my wastebasket to bring my legs higher than the hips. You can also try massaging your stomache.

[NYbutterfly]

It could be that you are not consuming enough calories and your body is holding on to all it can... could be stress (one time I didn't go for TWO WEEKS due to stress...ouch)... could need some fat in your diet? Your body may be a little shocked at the changes to its system by eating raw. I don't think this is abnormal to happen. I would most definitely try excercising gently to get things rolling and massage your belly in a clock wise motion.

[dalimeindacoconut]

Try eating half a watermelon first thing in the morning and wait for about an hour. I had not had watermelon in a while and whoosh...the shit hit the fan!

[SmilingRawDancer]

ooh ooh flaxseed, or do a watermelon cleanse. THAT will get stuff shooting out of you :eek:

[samariah]

yeah, flaxseed, digestive enzymes help me, lemon water, exercise, rubbing belly, squating and kombucha! kombucha works wonders.

[Bobbie]

seaweed is a good laxative, and pears.
what are your green smoothies made of? 200g kale with 4 bananas makes me go whoosh.

[cc-informer]

A RAW food diet should not exclude fibrous foods like natural grains. Fiber is a big part for "regular" digestive activity. I'm not saying seek out starchy bread, but it might be a good idea to look into fiber supplements.

[samariah]

fruits and veggies are almost all rich in fiber too though

[StarFire]

It is very important to keep your bowels moving - especially if you are new to the raw lifestyle. I believe that your body is casting off and releasing many toxins and you don't want them clogged up in your body!

Prunes are wonderful to get the bowels moving -- also cascara sagrada, is non habit forming and stimulates the peristaltic action in the colon encouraging you to have normal bowel movements. this is what I use anyway.

I have tried slippery elm - and although I am a bit odd when it comes to foods and herbs ... (ie, coffee & caffine put me to sleep as does sugar and fruit... ginsing makes me sleepy, and catnip wires me...) so slippery elm constipated me really bad as did senna leaf.

but CASCARA SAGRADA worked really well.

get that stuff out of you!! so not good to leave those poisons in you!!!

blessings!! :D

[RAWCA]

Thank you all so much for great advice:)

Where can I get CASCARA SAGRADA in pill form?

thanks again...

[dreamrawalwz]

How much water are you drinking?

Drink a lot of water
Flax seeds
Psyllium husk seeds
eat enough calories
exercise

[Yana]

NOTHING has worked for me, I eat a lot of fiber, watermelon, drink a lot of water, EVERYTHING, still nothing.

Until Alissa's green powder came in the mail.. I put more than the first recommended dose of a teaspoon, more like a large tablespoon full, and just this morning, FINALLY :D!

[hungrygirl]

I have a problem with BM before, but now I 've been going once or twice a day since I started oil pulling. I'm serious.

[belle]

I have a problem with BM before, but now I 've been going once or twice a day since I started oil pulling. I'm serious.

what is oil pulling :confused:

[Judy]

what is oil pulling :confused:

It's a kind of detoxing means. You swish a table spoon of sesame or sunflower oil around in your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes, and it pulls out all kinds of toxins from your body. Then you spit it out.
It has many health benefits, for more information: http://www.oilpulling.com/
There's also an 'Oil Pulling Challenge' thread on this board, and some people have noticed better skin, whiter teeth, healing teeth and gums, better sleep and better bowel movement since they started oil pulling... Check it out and feel free to join the ride: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29691

[catdeveer]

my tcm practitioner has suggested the following to help with difficult bowel movements. not only does it work very well for me, it kills any sweet cravings i have since it's better than candy!

take equal parts by volume (i usually go with 1/2 cup of each):

hulled sesame seeds
raw unsoaked walnuts
raw honey

grind the walnuts and sesame seeds together in a coffee grinder or very powerful blender (sesame seeds are tough to grind). mix well with the honey. store in the fridge. it will firm up and become like a lolipop on a spoon when you scoop into it.

take 1 or 2 tablespoons per day as needed. chew it well, and make sure to get plenty of water with it. i usually do mine first thing when i get up. the sweetness give me trouble with sleep if i take it at night.

good luck!

cat

[samariah]

im going to start oil pulling, i keep putting it off but then i hear all these benefits so i should get going with it!

[moncha moncha]

I'll second the Cascara Sagrada advice. This stuff has really saved me. It's part of Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel Formula, which I take. I order the organic herbs in bulk and make it myself.

I also had a great experience with a Kale/banana smoothie. I used about 4 bananas, a few dates and one large bunch of kale. A few hours after drinking that I cleaned out completely. It was amazing. In fact, I think I'll start having that for one of my smoothies every day.

[JudyMac]

RAWCA, any fruits with lots of seeds in.
I recommend eating a bowl of fresh blackberries (brambles) or some figs, as your last meal of the day. The next morning you should be sorted.

Let Nature help the natural way, plus at this time of year you can pick the brambles free of charge!

[Riiiya]

i just wanted to add- i have been reading the Sunfood diet success system.. and there was a treatment for this- water with lemon and salt. i tried (u can drink first thing in the morning) i could not BELIEVE how fast it helped :O so maybe it'll help others too