Relief! 5 Essential Oil Based Remedies that Treat Constipation

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5 Essential Oil Based remedies for constipation

Constipation can be a pain in the… You know..

It makes you feel cramped up – emotionally and physically – and if left unaddressed can potentially lead you to develop some serious health conditions.

Luckily there are some easily acquired constipation remedies – essential oils being one of them.

In this post, we’ll explore using EOs for constipation as well as some other natural remedies. We’ll also discuss some other important factors like diet.

Alright, let’s get into it!

5 Essential Oil Based Natural Remedies for Constipation

tea ginger cinnamon lemon

Below you’ll find our favorite EO remedies. While these are the best we found, you can see more tips after them too!

1. Hot Honey-Ginger-Fennel Drink

This first recipe is a light drink that will get your digestive system in motion.

This drink is best sipped slowly and followed by a massage with some of the massage oils listed below

Ingredients:

Directions

  • Boil water and mix in your ingredients
  • Sip slowly
  • Follow up with a massage and/or bath

2. Relaxing Abdominal Massage Lotion

carrier oil almond

Ingredients:

Directions:

  • Combine ingredients in a small non-reactive bowl
  • Massage blend over abdomen in a clockwise direction
  • Repeat 2 to 3 times daily, or as desired

Alternative Essential Oils to Use for Constipation Massage:

3. Stress Reducing Circulation Boosting Massage Oil

avocado carrier oil

 

This massage oil will you to relax, improve your circulation and boost your bodies detoxification process.

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Combine carrier oil and essential oils in a non-reactive bowl or 2 oz glass container.
  2. Get a full body massage if you can! If not give yourself a thorough massage using the oil mixture.

4. Digestive Stimulant EO Infused Warm Compress

hot cold compress

Now let’s use some stimulating oils and a hot compress to get your sluggish digestion moving.

Directions:

  • Apply a few drops of the stimulating oils mentioned below to a hot compress
  • For the hot compress, you can soak a towel in a bowl of hot water or buy a hot compress
  • Once it is warmed just add your oils before applying

Digestive Stimulant Oils to Use:

5. Take A Simple Essential Oil Infused Bath

foot bath

An easy way to help get your digestion flowing is to take a warm bath and add 8-10 drops of any of the recommended essential oils and some epsom salts.

Here are some more oils you could add to your bath.

The oils on this list are detoxifying, cleansing and haven’t been mentioned yet in the previous recipes:

Non-Essential Oil Based Natural Remedies & Tips for Constipation

upset stomach constipation bloating pms

Essential oils are a great home remedy, but there are some other really good natural treatments that are worth noting.

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most common recommendations for constipation, and rightfully so. It boats such popularity for two big reasons: it relaxes the muscles in the intestines, which helps to establish smooth, consistent bowel movements. It also attracts water as it moves through the body. Once in the colon, it’s full of water and serves to improve the softening of stool. This too makes it easier to have healthy bowel movements.

The best forms of magnesium are magnesium citrate (can also be found in natural calm powder) and magnesium biglycinate. These are not the most inexpensive forms of magnesium – but they are by far the most effective and efficient and worth the price difference.

Probiotics

Healthy bowel movements rely on a healthy gut. And to maintain a healthy gut you need to keep the bacteria in your gut healthy and happy. Probiotic bacteria do a whole lot for the body including aiding enzymatic processes, are at the core of a functioning immune system and help the digestion, assimilation, and elimination of the foods in our diet. Probiotics are very important to take for individuals who have taken antibiotics.

The best source for probiotics is fermented food (homemade preferred). Second are probiotic supplements. There are many probiotics on the market and some do far better than others at improving digestion. On the more inexpensive end, I recommend Accuflora brand. For a high-quality probiotic supplement, I recommend BioKult.

Coconut Oil

coconut oil

Many people think that coconut oil causes constipation. In fact, it’s actually a great remedy for the condition- thanks to the medium-chain fatty acids that are abundant in coconut oil.

These medium-chain fatty acids (also called MCFAs) provide quick, metabolism boosting energy that stimulates bowel movements and soften your stools in the process. This remedy works for both acute cases and chronic sufferers.

One caution though is to pay close attention when establishing what dosage is right for you. You’ll want to start slow as too much of the stuff can loosen your bowels enough that you’ll have diarrhea-like symptoms.

There’s no definite dosage recommendation – different people require different amounts of coconut oil for constipation. A good place to start though is between 1-2 tablespoons daily. If you have a chronic case of constipation you might want to start with 1 tablespoon in the morning and one more at night. Gradually up your intake until you find the best dose for relieving your constipation problem.

Prunes/Prune Juice

Prunes are helpful for constipation for a variety of reasons. For one, they are filled with fiber – soluble fiber which slows digestion and supports nutrient absorption and insoluble fiber which bulks up your stool and helps it to pass quickly through the intestines. Both of these fibers support natural bowel movements.

They also have sugars like sorbitol (which improve water levels in stool) and natural laxative compounds that further improve transit of matter through the digestive tract. And they are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes that support digestive health – compounds like potassium and vitamin A support enzymatic health of the digestive system.

To make use of prunes for your constipation consider taking 3-8 prunes at a time or drinking two glasses of prune juice every day. You can also chop up your prunes and add them to your breakfast foods – or any meal for that matter and/or add your prune juice to a smoothie.

Follow a daily prune intake protocol for a week or so and you should see relief from your constipation.

Ginger

Ginger is a powerful laxative. It’s one of the first laxatives I experienced at full intensity after drinking a large glass of fresh ginger that someone had prepared. Wow, I had to go to the bathroom fast.

For mild to moderate constipation try adding 1 gram or more of freshly grated ginger in a cup of boiling water to prepare a fresh tea. Alternatively, pick up some ginger tea. Drink 2-3 times daily.

Fennel

fennel

In the East, fennel seed is commonly used to facilitate proper digestion (and to eliminate bad breath). It stimulates the secretion of digestive and gastric juices while limiting occurrences of inflammation in the stomach. It also has antacid properties that support an imbalanced digestion and brings it back to balance. It is safe to use for individuals of all ages and has the added benefit of reducing flatulence. Fennel is best used in a powder form for constipation to benefit from the whole seed.

Water/Hydration

For your body to function well – especially your digestive system – you’ll need to stay hydrated. A good habit to get into is drinking a tall glass of water first thing in the morning (especially if you’re a coffee drinker!)

Your body is good at regulating water as long as it gets the amount it needs. If you don’t drink or eat enough your body will withhold as much water as it can to maintain important bodily functions like maintaining blood and organ health. The digestive maintenance is of lower priority and in the case of dehydration – especially chronic – can fall into a state of disrepair. Without enough water to properly hydrate fecal matter your stool will become dry and hard which makes it difficult to pass – and painful when it finally does.

As far as how much to drink – just figure out your own needs. Don’t overfill yourself, but see how much you can drink throughout the day and find a comfortable medium.

healthy eating food salad

Lastly, we have some more information and tips about constipation causes and prevention.

The Importance of Diet

Diet is probably the most important factor in cases of constipation. The food we eat day in and day out pretty much determines the state of our digestive system. Some foods tonify and heal our bodies while others irritate and damage it.

Below are two lists of foods – first, foods to avoid for those suffering from constipation. Next foods that should be added to your diet to support digestive health and limit future occurrences of digestive distress.

Foods to Limit/Avoid

  • Don’t eat too much fiber or protein
  • Excessive fruit/fructose
  • Excessive dairy
  • Wheat / grains / gluten

Foods to Increase Your Intake of

  • Homemade Sauerkraut / kimchi
  • Homemade whole milk kefir/coconut kefir/kombucha
  • Sweet potatoes, pumpkin and/or squash
  • Foods high in saturated fats – lard, tallow, coconut, butter. Helps soften stool

Get Exercise

Be sure to get some exercise or at least solid chunks of movement throughout the day. Even 30 minutes or so can help a lot. Physical activity of any kind helps. This alone can prompt sluggish bowels to move. Yoga is very beneficial. Get an abdominal massage if you can, too.

Don’t Over-do Laxatives

It can be risky to use too many laxatives to promote bowel movements. One of the biggest risks is a dependency. If you use them too long your bowels begin to rely on them to have bowel movements and the natural activity of your bowels becomes hindered. This will worsen constipation in the long run. Other dangers of laxatives being overused are damage to nerves, muscles, and tissues in your intestines.

If you really have to use laxatives, opt for a natural laxative that doesn’t have a high risk of causing unnecessary complications.

It Could be Due to Hypothyroidism

One of the major side effects of hypothyroidism is constipation. Others include adrenal fatigue and iron deficiency. You can learn more about hypothyroidism here and get tested for the condition here.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve found this article helpful.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations of your own please let us know in the comment section below.

 

Welcome to EOSanctuary

Hi. Glad to see you here. My name is Loren Elara and I run Essential Oil Sanctuary. I’d love to connect with you and share ideas. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please make yourself heard.

Essential Oil Sanctuary is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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8 thoughts on “Relief! 5 Essential Oil Based Remedies that Treat Constipation”

  1. Hi, Loren. Wonderful site! I’m glad I found you.

    Here’s my problem: My mother is in her 90’s, had hip surgery two years ago, and is able to ambulate very little. (Cannot get into a bathtub.) She has always had a good diet (lots of vegetables and fruits), but she is also now on opioids for pain. She experiences constipation, but not always with hard stools. Sometimes I believe the pain meds have caused the peristaltic movement to decrease significantly, so her stools are soft, but bowel movements are sluggish. She often feels nauseous when she has these problems. She takes a good probiotic daily and Senokot laxative when needed but that doesn’t always work. Bowel stimulating massage sometimes helps. Can you recommend something more?

    Thank you so much for any advice you can offer.

    Lupe

    1. Hi Lupe. Thank you for commenting. I wish I had a great answer for you to help your mother beyond what you’ve tried already. But I am unsure. I’m sure there is some information out there that could help her. Keep looking!

  2. Ann Steven

    I am a hypothyroid person. I was looking for some expert advice on how to cure my constipation. I think i should follow everything that you suggested in this post. Thanks for the post.

  3. Nikhita Mallya

    Hey Loren,

    Thanks for this post it seriousy works.I do wish to add two major imoprtant homemade tips to this list a teaspoon of linseed mixed in lemon water and coconut water mixed in Senna is also a miracoulous water for constipation.

    Once i approach our family pedatrician when my kid Ryan was suffering from constipation and that time the doctor didn’t gave us constipation medicines as his constipation was one of the symptoms of B-complex defficiency.So my advise to you all is before going for constipation remedies you should learn your body and understand what types of constipation are you suffereing from.

    Just go through many articles regarding constipation will share one such valuable site

  4. Ihtisham Ahmad

    Hey Loren,
    I have constipation issue from last few years, I have tried some natural ways to get rid of it and few worked very well. Still did`t try essential oils but I will soon.

    Thanks for awesome post.
    Keep it up.

  5. Teresia

    What restrictions are there when you’re pregnant? First trimester here and I’ve suffered the last weeks. Not sure which EOs are safe to use?
    Thank you

  6. Jeanice

    Hi Loren
    Can I follow your 5 remedies for constipation every day?
    I suffer from chronic constipation and I have never tried essential oils.
    Hope it works.

    Thanks

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