Home remedies for constipation, like a papaya and flaxseed smoothies senna tea and natural yogurt with dried plums, are a great, natural way to soften stools. These are rich in fiber and bioactive compounds that trigger bowel movements and reduce straining when pooping.

Eating high-fiber foods at every meal and drinking plenty of water throughout the day are also great strategies to relieve constipation. Learn more about laxative foods that you can add to your diet.

Constipation is characterized by the absence or reduced frequency of bowel movements. It is associated with bloating, dry stools and sometimes a loss of appetite. If you experience severe stomach pain or bloody stools, it is important to consult your family doctor or a gastroenterologist to assess your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

This content is solely for informative purposes and should not replace a medical consultation. Do not interrupt your current treatment without seeking medical guidance.

Natural home remedies

If you are experiencing mild constipation, you can try the following recipes at home to soften the stool and facilitate a bowel movement:

1. Papaya smoothie with flaxseed

A great home remedy for constipation is a papaya smoothie with flaxseed. These ingredients are rich in fiber that help to add bulk to the stool and promote optimal intestinal function to reduce bloating.

Ingredients

1/2 a papaya, without seeds
1 cup of water or 1 cup of Greek yogurt
1 heaping tablespoon of flaxseeds
Honey or sugar to taste

How to prepare

Mix the papaya and water (or yogurt) in a blender. Then add the flaxseed and sweeten to taste. This home remedy can be used in small children with constipation.

2. Yogurt with prunes

This home remedy helps to fight constipation as it contains laxative and detoxing properties. The granola also contains fiber, which helps to loosen hard stool.

Ingredients

1 Greek yogurt
3 prunes
2 tablespoons of granola
Honey to taste

How to prepare

Blend the prunes and then mix intro the yogurt. Add granola and sweeten with honey as necessary. You can eat this for breakfast or as a snack. Read more about the benefits of prunes and how to consume them.

3. Orange and papaya smoothie

A great home remedy for constipation is an orange and papaya smoothie. These fruits contain fibers and antioxidants that help to promote intestinal flow and prevent further constipation.

Ingredients

2 oranges
1/2 a papaya, without seeds

How to prepare

Squeeze the orange juice into the blender and add the half papaya. Blend until well-combined. Drink this smoothie before going to bed and when waking up for 3 days.

4. Fig and oat milk smoothie

A fig smoothie can help to relieve constipation, as this fruit is high in fiber and promotes optimal intestinal functioning.

Ingredients

500 mL of oat milk
6 fresh figs

How to prepare

Wash the figs well and remove the stems. Then cut the figs in half and add them to the blender. Add the oat milk and mix until smooth.

5. Gorse tea

Another easy home remedy for constipation is to drink gorse tea. Gorse, scientifically known as Baccharis trimera, is a medicinal plant that only treats constipation, but also helps with the treatment of anemia and protects the liver from toxins.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of gorse leaves
500 ml (about 2 cups) of water

How to prepare

Boil the water, add the gorse leaves and allow to soak for 5 minutes. Cover, allow to cool, then strain and drink.

6. Plum and oat smoothie

A plum and oat smooth is another excellent option for a homemade laxative. This shake is rich in fiber that helps to regulate bowel function and relieve constipation.

Ingredients

500 mL of cold skimmed milk or plant-based drink;
10 dried plums;
5 tablespoons of oats.

How to prepare

Wash the plums well, cut them in half and remove the pit. Mix all ingredients in a blender and serve immediately. Drink in the morning on an empty stomach.

7. Rhubarb tea

Rhubarb is another excellent herb for constipation, as this medicinal plant contains properties that stimulate intestinal muscles and help the intestine to absorb water.

Ingredients

20 g of of dried rhubarb roots
750 ml (about 3 cups) of water

How to prepare

Place the ingredients into a pot and place over heat. Allow to boil until about a third of the water has evaporated. Then strain and drink 100 ml (about 3 oz) of this tea in the evening, when you feel you are constipated.

Caution: Rhubarb tea is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Additionally, this tea should not be used by children under 12 years of age nor people with bowel obstructions, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain of unknown origin or dehydration.

8. Laxative fruit smoothie

In addition to being rich in vitamins, this smoothie can help to treat constipation. Pineapples and mango are natural laxatives, while a peach with the peel contains high quantities of fiber that can loosen hard stool.

Ingredients

2 slices of pineapple
2 slices of mango
1 peach with the peel
300 ml (about 10 oz) of cold water

How to prepare

Dice the avocado slices and place in a blender. Then wash and cut the mango and peach into small pieces and add to the blender. Pour in the water and blend until well-combined. Serve and drink while still cold.

9. Green smoothie

Spinach is rich in fiber and contains laxative properties that stimulate intestinal function. They can help to reduce discomfort and bloating associated with constipation. Orange is a natural laxative, while and kiwi, oats and chia seeds are rich in fiber, which can all contribute to the treatment of constipation.

Ingredients

8 spinach leaves
Juice from 2 oranges
2 kiwis
2 tablespoons of oat flour
1 tablespoon of soaked chia seeds

How to prepare

Wash the spinach and place them in a blender. Squeeze the juice of 2 oranges and add to the blender. Then add the flour and blend until well-combined. Pour into a cup, then add the chia seeds.

The chia seeds should be soaked in water for at least 2 hours to form a gel-like mixture. Constant consumption of dried chia seeds can irritate the intestines and should be avoided.

10. Grape, pear and flaxseed juice

Grape, pear and flaxseed juice helps combat constipation because it increases the volume of your stool. It also lubricates the intestinal tract and hydrates the stool, facilitating its elimination.

Ingredients

1 glass of natural grape juice, prepared without removing the grape seeds
1 pear with skin, cut into pieces
1 tablespoon of flaxseed

How to prepare

Mix all ingredients in a blender and drink immediately.

This juice should be consumed every day on an empty stomach, until bowel movements become regular. To maintain regularity, you can consume it every other day or twice a week.

Another option for preparing the juice is to use chia or sunflower seeds instead of flaxseed.

11. Senna tea

Senna tea is a great remedy for loosening the bowels. It has naturally laxative, purgative and detox properties, which soften the stool and speed up bowel movements.

Ingredients

1 to 2 g of senna leaves
250 mL of boiling water

How to prepare

Place the senna leaves in a pot or cup, add boiling water, cover and infuse for 5 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup a day, without sweetening and preferably before going to bed. This tea should only be consumed until constipation symptoms improve or for up to 7 days in a row.

Cautions: Senna tea should not be consumed by children under 12 years of age, pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. It is also not recommended for people with a bowel obstruction, acute appendicitis, diarrhea, inflammation of the intestine or stomach, or inflammatory bowel disease.

12. Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is high in fiber, which stimulates natural bowel movements and increases stool volume.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons dried cranberries or 1 cup fresh cranberries
600 mL of filtered or boiled water

How to prepare

For dried cranberries, soak them in water to soften for a few minutes. Then pour the soaked or fresh cranberries and water in a blender and blend for 3 minutes or until smooth. Pour the drink to a glass and drink. You can consume up to 3 glasses (250 mL) of this juice per day, preferably without sugar.

13. Bearberry tea

Bearberry tea helps to relieve constipations because it contains cascarosides, which are bioactive compounds that irritate the intestines and speed up intestinal flow. These compounds also draw water to the gut, which promotes stool elimination.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of bearberry bark
200 mL of water

How to prepare

Place the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Cover, let rest for 5 minutes and color. Drink just 1 cup of this tea a day, before going to bed. Cascara sagrada tea can be consumed for up to 10 days in a row.

Caution: This tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by children under 12 years of age. Cascara sagrada tea should not be used in cases of kidney problems, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, reflux, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, stomach pain, anal bleeding, vomiting or dehydration.