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Naturopathic medicine looks for what might be at the root of the nausea and vomiting. For example, why does the motion of a plane bring on an uneasy stomach, and what can be done to eliminate this susceptibility?
A naturopathic physician performs a detailed examination of the patient, looking over diet, lifestyle, emotional state, and when and how the nausea or vomiting happens. Herbal medicine, a change in diet, supplements, homeopathy, acupuncture, or other treatments may be prescribed.
Dried gingerroot, for example, can reduce or prevent nausea and vomiting, especially when the symptoms are related to motion sickness, morning sickness, or sickness related to surgery recovery. Teas made from ginger or peppermint, when sipped very slowly, can usually ease the upset stomach of nausea. This is particularly helpful for motion sickness when taken half an hour before boarding a boat or plane.
Aromatherapy works to calm a fragile, irritated, or nervous stomach with essential oils from plants and herbs. The oils can be given on the tongue, massaged into the skin, or applied with a compress. Peppermint, a digestive aid, is considered one of the most effective essential oils for curbing nausea. Other oils used for their action on the digestive tract are chamomile, damask rose, fennel, and lavender.
Include high fiber foods like raw fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, ancient grains and seeds in your daily diet. This includes beans, pulses or legumes, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, berries, prunes, avocado, chia and flax seeds, 100 percent unprocessed grains, broccoli, cooked greens and winter squash. Adding in these foods can help to relieve adult, child and toddler constipation.
Fiber needs water to pass through the digestive system and form stool. Be sure to add fiber to your diet a little at a time so that your body gets used to the change. Start consuming a higher fiber diet slowly if you are not used to it, and increase your intake of water at the same time to help with absorption and passing. Drink 8–16 ounce glasses of water every 2 hours while you transition into eating more fiber.
These seeds are high in fiber and healthy fats, plus they help to absorb water. Flaxseed oil especially helps to lubricate the colon. If you want to make yourself poop to relieve constipation pain, consume about 2–3 tablespoons of seeds (soaked ideally to help release nutrients) daily with water or liquid, and consider taking 1 tablespoon daily of flaxseed oil.
Green vegetables not only contain fiber, they are also a good source of magnesium that can help improve constipation. Because they are very low in calories, have a high water content and are nutrient-dense, they should ideally be consumed daily.
Warm or room temperature liquids (as opposed to very cold drinks), especially when consumed first thing in the morning, tend to stimulate digestion. When you need a simple home remedy for constipation, try some herbal tea, warm water infused with lemon, coffee in moderation or bone broth.
These fruits are high in fiber and tend to work as natural laxatives. Several a day serve as an effective constipation remedy, but in general be careful not to go overboard with dried fruit since it contains a decent amount of sugar given the small size.
Maintaining a healthy intestinal tract is critical for avoiding digestive problems. Take a daily probiotic supplement containing at least 15 billion “live and active” organisms.
Castor oil works like a natural, mild stimulant laxative when taken orally. A commonly recommended dose for adults (such as to treat constipation) is 15–60 mL, taken in one single dose orally.
A traditional remedy used upon waking is taking one tablespoon of cod liver oil or flaxseed oil mixed with 8 ounces of fresh pressed carrot juice to stimulate bowel movements.
Magnesium for constipation works by improving gut motility. Add this supplement (a standard magnesium supplement or magnesium citrate) in slowly and cut back if it causes diarrhea. Consume about 250 milligrams 2–4 times daily.
Apples (and pears) contain a special type of fiber called pectin. Pectin is an insoluble fiber that helps the stool become bulky, allowing it to pass through the digestive system easier. Consume about 1–2 teaspoons twice daily.
This helps to reduce inflammation and improve the frequency of bowel movements, making it one of the best natural laxatives for constipation. Take 1/4 cup twice daily while adjusting the amount based on symptoms.
This is a natural constipation treatment because it’s high in fiber and helpful for forming stool. When combined with water or another liquid, psyllium husk swells and produces more bulk, which stimulates the intestines to contract and helps speed the passage of stool through the digestive tract. For adults and children over 12 years of age, mix one tablespoon with 8 ounces liquid once daily.
Would you believe that 75 percent to 90 percent of all doctors office visits are related to conditions caused by stress? Constipation is certainly one of them! Stress manifests in the body in multiple ways you can’t always feel: increasing muscle tension, increasing levels of “stress hormones” like cortisol, causing blood sugar levels to rise, altering your appetite, getting in the way of normal digestion by changing the gut environment, and affecting the way your thyroid gland and hormones works. Ways to relieve stress include: yoga or stretching, meditation, prayer, spending time outdoors, reading or writing a journal, exercise, & warm baths.
Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines, so try to fit in more movement and formal exercise most days of the week. Exercise can especially be helpful in the morning for getting the digestive system “fired up,” soothing stress and putting you a positive mindset. I recommend trying rebounding, a.k.a. jumping on a mini-trampoline, which can stimulate the bowels and lymphatic system. Light exercise can also support bowel function, including stretching, walking, jogging, yoga, swimming or dancing.
“Biofeedback” practices involve working with a therapist who uses devices to help you learn to relax and tighten certain parts of your body on demand, especially tight or constricted muscles that can become tense when you’re under stress. Learning to relax muscles in your pelvis can help you pass stool more easily when it comes time to go to the bathroom. Biofeedback might not be for everybody, but it’s been shown to be very helpful. A typical biofeedback session with a practitioner might involve using a catheter inserted into your rectum to gauge progress, while you perform exercises to alternately relax and tighten your pelvic muscles.
