MY CART
DISTANCE CERTIFICATION COURSES
| ||
School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion | ||
Recipes
Ingredients
Create Your Diet
Digestive Herb Finder
View CartSEARCH YOUR SYMPTOMS
& FIND AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
CONSTIPATION
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
On Facebook
On TwitterAre you prone to a problem with 'Constipation'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Poop by taking the
free poop quiz.
How often should you poop? Ayurveda suggests that one bowel movement in the early morning followed by a possible second bowel movement later in the day is appropriate. Your stool should be more or less the shape and texture of a ripe banana, easy to pass, formed, and somewhat bulky. Less than one bowel movement a day, or if the quantity is very small count as constipation.
The importance of healthy elimination in Ayurveda is summarized by the phrase "You are as healthy as your colon." Poor bowel health results in fermentation of fecal matter, which irritates and ultimately degrades the lining of the intestines. Fermentation also creates toxins that are absorbed into the blood. Daily evacuation of stool prevents a cascade of potential health problems.
Constipation by Constitution
In Vata constipation, the stools are dry and hard. A bowel movement may consist of a group of small hard stools, likened to rabbit pellets, dry pieces, or lack of a bowel movement altogether. In extreme Vata constipation, you may only go to the bathroom once a week. If that is the case, it's time to call your Ayurvedic Practitioner! Vata type constipation is caused by dryness, a lack of hydration, insufficient oils in your diet, or lack of fiber. Vata constipation can also be caused by stress and anxiety.In hot Pitta constipation, the stools are smelly and sticky. It may come out in pieces and be difficult to clean. This is due to an excess of hot, oily foods your diet. Fried food and red meat in particular are culprits- they are hard to digest, therefore taking a long time, and create excess oil in your stool while heat dries out the water. What remains is sticky, somewhat dry, and difficult to pass. You may feel incomplete after visiting the bathroom.
Kapha constipation consists of large, infrequent bowel movements. This is due to a lack of mobility in the colon, resulting in sluggish bowels. When there is finally enough energy to stimulate peristalsis (the wave-like motion of your intestines which expels stool) the result is a large quantity. This slow metabolic rate may be associated with depression and hypothyroid.
Treatment by Type
Hot, sticky Pitta constipation requires cool, soothing herbs and foods to reduce inflammation and encourage hydration. A favorite Ayurvedic herb that fits the bill is amalaki, one component of the famous colon detoxifyer- triphala. Aloe vera juice or gel cools down your digestive tract while helping to hydrate your intestines. Drink plenty of coconut water, too.
Sluggish Kapha type constipation requires additional roughage and fiber in the diet to keep the bowels clean and moving. Taking mild laxatives, like triphala, gently scrape your colon clean and keep you regular. Stimulant laxatives are a last resort, and not to be used without guidance of your health practitioner.
ARE YOU NEW TO AYURVEDA?
Are you wondering what Ayurveda is and how to use it for 'Constipation' and health in general? LEARN MOREREBALANCE YOUR BODY WITH DIET, LIFESTYLE & HERBS HAVING THESE QUALITIES
Everything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using gunas. Gunas are qualities (like cold and hot) that describe the effect a food or herb has on your body. Cooling foods like cucumber, decrease metabolism. Heating foods like chili pepper, stimulate your body and increase metabolism. For 'Constipation', you should select foods with the following qualities (gunas). Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance. For best results, get a one on one consultation.QUALITIES THAT USUALLY CORRECT IMBALANCES
RELATED TO CONSTIPATION
| GUNA | FOODS TO FAVOR | CONDITION IN YOUR BODY |
|---|---|---|
OILY
Oily refers to anything fatty, or that increases fat.
|
OILY INGREDIENTS OILY RECIPES |  Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Oily' guna |
GOOEY
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
|
GOOEY INGREDIENTS GOOEY RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Gooey' guna |
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
|
CLEAR INGREDIENTS CLEAR RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Clear' guna |
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
|
SWEET INGREDIENTS SWEET RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sweet' taste |
SOUR
Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.
|
SOUR INGREDIENTS SOUR RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sour' taste |
SALTY
Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.
|
SALTY INGREDIENTS SALTY RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Salty' taste |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
FAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ingredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Constipation'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Constipation.| Cleanse and Detox | Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body. |
| Bowel-Poop-Elimination | General Laxative , GENERAL-LAXATIVEPromotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...High Fiber Laxative , HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVEA class of laxative that adds bulk and water to stools. The size of a stool stimulates peristalsis and the stool passes more easily through the colon. It is important to drink plenty of water when using high fiber laxatives, as they can be dehydrating.Stool Softener STOOL-SOFTENERAn herb that softens stool that is hard and difficult to pass. They are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Some foods are even stool softeners, such as warm milk with ghee. |
Click here for general Poop Tips
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The best way to do this is with a one on one consultation.
DIET TO BALANCE 'CONSTIPATION'
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 review
SAVE INGREDIENTAloe includes more than 250 species of flowering succulents and is native to Africa, Madagascar and Jordan. It is closely related to cactus, yucca and onion. For thousands of years and across many cultures, aloe has been used to heal a variety of health...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewIn Norse mythology, apples are said to provide eternal youthfulness. Apples appear in many religious traditions, including the bible, often as a forbidden fruit. Apples originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor still grows today. There are more...
Frank Cook and I happened to visit our friend Aaron Wilson during apricot season in Jerome, Arizona. The Turks have a saying, 'the only thing better than this is an apricot from Damascus.' We should rewrite that phrase to include wild apricots from...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 reviewsThe avocado fruit grows on trees, but does not ripen until after it has been picked. It has a pear shape, and a rough, dark green to black skin with tiny bumps, which earned it the name "alligator pear". Unlike other fruits, avocado isn't sweet at all,...
(4.75 out of 5 stars) 4 reviewsReplenish Electrolytes and RehydrateYou have spent a long hot afternoon tending your garden or chasing the kids and you're feeling parched. But sometimes, no matter how much water you drink, your body still feels thirsty. Simple...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewBeets come from the south of Europe. They are a member of the amaranth family. The beet has a long history of cultivation stretching back to the second millennium BC.
Black beans are a rich source of vegetable protein, easing any meat cravings for those seeking satiation. The shiny obsidian quality of the beans are a beautiful addition to any meal, providing an earthy depth and dark contrast. Black beans appear along...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewAncestors of the wild carrot came from Iran and Afghanistan, the center of genetic diversity for carrot. Carrots were bred from a species of wild carrot, called Queen Anne's Lace. Originally they were grown for their aromatic leaves and seeds. Since...
Berries arrive just in time for late spring, early summer. Berries are lymphatic movers that complete the spring process of cleansing your liver. They are also liver tonics to protect your liver during summer. Berries are rich in anti-oxidants that...
The word chia is a native american word meaning 'oily' Chia seeds are an important food crop in central America. Chia seeds one of the few seeds of the mint family consumed as a food. It is closely related to culinary sage.
The fiber in chickpeas is nearly 75% insoluble which remains undigested as it reaches the colon. This significantly bulks up stools for a satisfying morning elimination. As with many high fiber foods, beans have been shown to reduce cholesterol, perhaps...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewCoffee as a SacramentWhat are your rituals around coffee? Coffee has become a sacrament in our culture. A client reports, "The only time my husband and I relax together is over coffee." My response, "If your marriage is dependent...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewWhen most people think of dandelion, they think of pulling this pesky weed out of their manicured lawn. It's the poster child for weeds. This is especially ironic because colonists brought the dandelion to the Americas as an important medicinal plant....
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 reviewsDates have been a staple food and cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years. Their cultivation has been documented in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt and as far back as 6000BC in Arabia.
Date sugar is a complex cabrohydrate that takes longer to digest, thus releasing it's energy more slowly over time into the body. Dates contain phyto-hormones for women that tonify reproductive organs.
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewFigs are a heavenly and blessed fruit. Buddha achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree, a large and old sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa). In Genesis, Adam and Eve hid their nakedness with fig leaves. The prophet Muhammad exclaimed, "If I had to...
(3.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewIf you are constipated, try soaking a teaspoon of flax seeds in warm water for 2 hours. Soaking releases the soluble fiber in flax, which forms a slimy gel that bulks up stools for easy elimination. Its high oil content can lubricate a dry intestinal...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 reviewsTrying to cut down on butter at the movies? Try popcorn with ghee and cinnamon. Ghee is golden and delicious. Children love it. It is also great as a garnish drizzled over food. For details on how to make ghee yourself search for "ghee" in the recipe...
Grapes are considered a superior fruit to all others in Ayurvedic. They are an important tonic (rasayana) for late summer. Grapes have been a sign of abundance since Greek times. The Greek God or agriculture, Dionysus, is often portrayed with a crown of...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewIntroduction Heavy, oily and slightly sweet, hemp seeds are a hearty addition to your winter diet. These dense seeds nourish and build tissue, leaving you feeling strong, stable and sustained, even during the harshest months of...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewHoney - The Nectar of the Gods This pure and natural heavenly gift from nature was the first sweetener known to man. Honey's sweet goodness has been an icon of abundance for centuries. It's golden syrup seems to capture the...
Lima beans are a relatively sweet, easy to digest bean and an important source of protein for vegetarian.
Limes are strongly sour, thus encouraging secretions in the digestive tract and salivary glands. These secretions improve taste, digestion, and regular elimination (functioning as a mild laxative) Limes and Cleansing Lime's sour...
(3.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewMango's happy flamboyance will brighten your day with its healthy, festive atmosphere. Its sweetness invites happiness and a smile while nourishing qualities authentically replenish your body after summer heat leaves you feeling depleted. When its time...
Introduction You'll feel warmed to the bone and relaxed after eating molasses. The gooey and thick nature of this sweetener gave rise to the famous phrase "as slow as molasses." One client observed these qualities, "The molasses...
(4.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewLooking for a new way to keep your body refreshed and cleansed this summer? Mung beans can help you keep your cool when the days are hot. These nourishing legumes are also famous for their cleansing abilities in Ayurveda.
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 reviewsOats have a slimy quality helping expectoration in Kapha when combined with spices. The slimy quality also helps soften the GI tract in Vata. Be careful with granola bars! Dry oats in any form absorbs moisture from the GI tract, aggravating Vata if...
Originating from South Asia and China, today's peaches tempt weary travellers on summer highways in the South. The sight of a rough, hand-written "Peaches" sign along a hot, dusty roadside is enough to induce salivation for the soft, juicy sweet taste of...
Plums are the second most cultivated fruit in the world, second to apples. Varieties of plums have been traced back to Eastern Europe, the Caucasian mountains, and China. Plums along with olives, grapes and figs are among the earliest cultivated foods....
High fiber (pectin) and phenolic compounds have made prunes famous as laxative. While prunes are a great choice of laxative for Kapha's with lazy colon constipation, Vata should take caution due to the diuretic nature of prunes. High potassium makes...
Sweet peas (and string beans) are among the most easily digestible beans, and are thus an important source of fiber and protein. They can help you stay regular and feel satisfied after meals. Their naturally cooling properties are soothing to...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewSweet potato is unique among comfort foods for its Kapha pacifying lightness. This tuber is beneficial even for those with heavy digestive symptoms. Unlike dairy products, potatoes, and other common comfort foods like pasta, sweet potatoes feel light in...
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CONSTIPATION
Browse these educational resources for 'Constipation'.Say goodbye to confusion about food and health with your personal Ayurveda body book, individually and custom formulated for your body.
ADD TO CARTA 45 minute recording full of tips and Ayurvedic perspectives on constipation.
A solution to your gas & bloating problems is one of the most important steps you can take to restore your health & vitality.
Your bowel movements reveal important information that can help you stay healthy. Learn how to be a health detective through this humorous but informative lecture.
A brief eBook with instructions for an Ayurvedic enema program. Suggested for people doing cleanses under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. By John Immel
Discover how to self-heal using enemas
A 48 minute presentation of diet, herbs & home remedies for keeping your colon toned and preventing diverticulitis
SPECIALITY FORMULAS, AYURVEDIC HERBS, & NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR CONSTIPATION
We've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Constipation'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.Contains the recipe and everything you need for a healthy 7 day cleanse. Begin healing and rejuvenating your digestive system and deep organs. Begin fresh!
Reduces burning sensations in the gut and promotes healthy digestion.
A gentle laxative tea that promotes smooth & regular elimination where constipation leaves stool dry and hard.
Kit includes enema herb formula, sesame oil & handbook.
Bulkens up stools for easy, satisfying elimination.
This strong laxative tea that stimulates a sluggish colon in aggravated Kapha type constipation.
Ayurveda's most famous herbal formula. Promotes healthy bowel function and tone while gently detoxifying your body. Triphala is typically taken at night before bed.
Chayavanprash is Ayurveda's most popular immune tonic, suitable for all body types. It prevents seasonal colds and flus, stimulates metabolism, and enkindles the digestive fire. Chyvanprash strengthens your body against the effects of a stressful lifesty
This famous, gentle laxative cleanse and tones the colon. Used for millenia in India for all Vata disorders.
A 15 day guided home lower GI cleanse for deep healing.
A quick and effective remedy for any type of cramping. Helpful for relieving painful menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, and colicky pain in your abdomen.
REMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCE
With Constipation, one or more of the following doshas and qualities may be aggravated. If you have an imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda recommends avoiding foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate that quality and/or dosha. These imbalanced doshas and qualities will need to be brought back into balance before this condition can be healed. Click on the quality to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be avoided. If you have a systemic imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda would generally recommend avoiding foods and lifestyle habits with that quality.CONSTIPATION USUALLY MEANS THESE
DOSHAS & QUALITIES ARE AGGRAVATED 
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms.
Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak.
Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated.
If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms,
it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak. Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated. If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
| GUNA | FOODS TO AVOID | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
|---|---|---|
TOXIC
A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.
|
AVOID THESE TOXIC FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CONSTIPATION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna |
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
|
AVOID THESE HEAVY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CONSTIPATION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna |
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
|
AVOID THESE DRY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CONSTIPATION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna |
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
|
AVOID THESE COLD FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CONSTIPATION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Cold' guna |
ASTRINGENT
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
|
AVOID THESE ASTRINGENT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CONSTIPATION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Astringent' taste |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Constipation'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Poop by taking the
free poop quiz.
STAGE OF DISEASE: 1 - AFFECTING DIGESTION
If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and qualities.HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
ARE YOU WONDERING HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP YOU?WHY IS AYURVEDA THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
Ayurveda strengthens the body, in addition to addressing the disorder. It take a holistic, systemic approach, instead of myopically focusing on the disorder in question. Ayurveda shows a person how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them using materials from home, so they can optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you. Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing with an exceptional focus on digestion.HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda works by first discerning your body type, which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths). It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders. Next, Ayurveda works by analyzing the nature of your disorder. It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of gunas / quali- ties. For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc. This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food in relation to qualities (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Want to learn more about Ayurveda and its step-by-step approach to healing? Click below.
LEARN MOREGET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY
WITH AYURVEDA - FREE eBOOK!
RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Constipation'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them.General Type
Cold Type
Damp Heat Type
Dry & Hot Type
Kapha Type
Lazy Colon Type
Mobile Type
Vata Type
Weak Type
Wet Type
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Comments & Personal Experiences
How does 'constipation' affect your quality of life? What aggravates it? What has helped you? Is there something you'd like to know about 'constipation'?(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 review
What is Joyful Belly?
What is Ayurveda?
Learn about Ayurveda from the author of this article and founder of Joyful Belly,John Immel.
