Constipation refers to an infrequent bowel movement or difficulty in passing stool. Infrequent bowel movement means passing less than three stools a week. Other indicative factors are hard stool, insufficient passing of stool, a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, too much straining to pass the stool and in extreme cases, a need to use fingers to remove stool among small kids. The good news is that homeopathy has proved to be highly effective in treating constipation.
Homeopathic medicines along with dietary and lifestyle management help magnificently in getting rid of constipation. Any associated symptoms like gas, bloating of the abdomen, pain in the abdomen, headache, and nausea are also taken care of with these medicines. Homeopathic medicines are suitable to treat constipation in persons of all age groups.
Homeopathy addresses the root cause
Homeopathy treats constipation by identifying the root cause. These medicines help improve the bowel movement which is sluggish in the patients who suffer from constipation. These medicines also act as stool softeners thus preventing straining to pass the stool and aiding easy and smooth stool passage.
Safe and Gentle treatment
Homeopathy is the best choice of medicine that offers a natural, safe treatment for cases of constipation since it uses natural remedies which are free of any chemicals or synthetic material. Unlike mainstream medicines which uses laxatives to treat constipation and carries the risk of dependence, homeopathic medicines are non-habit-forming and under no circumstances cause any type of side effects. Once started, homeopathy will gradually reduce your dependence on laxatives.
Acute as well as chronic (long-term) cases of constipation are known to respond wonderfully to homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy is also very beneficial to manage piles and anal fissures that may result from long-term constipation.
Homeopathy is a symptom-based science therefore to treat constipation the remedies are to be prescribed as per the peculiar and unique characteristic symptoms in each case. Therefore, a homeopathic practitioner will study the symptoms in detail, identify and evaluate the important symptoms and then select the appropriate medicine that will suit any given case.
Top 9 Homeopathic Medicines for Constipation
The top medicines for treating constipation are Nux Vomica, Bryonia Alba, Alumina, Opium, Alumen, Silicea, Plumbum Metallicum, Graphites and Sulphur.
1. Nux Vomica – For Constipation With Constant Ineffectual Urge For Stool
Nux Vomica is one of the most frequently used medicines for treating constipation with a constant but ineffectual urge to pass stool. A person who needs Nux Vomica passes insufficient, scanty stool, very frequently. Even after passing stool many times in a day, there is a never a ‘got done’ feeling. Abdomen pain may arise along with constipation. Nux Vomica is also a good choice of medicine for treating constipation in persons with a sedentary lifestyle (inactive lifestyle with prolonged sitting with little or no physical activity). More importantly, it also effectively treats piles with constipation.
When to use Nux Vomica?
This medicine can be used in those who have constipation with constant ineffectual urge to pass stool and even after passing stool several times a day, do not have a satisfactory feeling.
How to use Nux Vomica?
This medicine is used in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M. Initially, it is best to use Nux Vomica 30C two to three times a day. Higher potencies can be used after consulting a qualified homeopath.
2. Bryonia Alba – For Dry, Hard, Stool In Lump Form
For constipation with a hard, dry stool that passes in lumps, Bryonia Alba is considered one of the best medicines. The stool is dry as if burnt and is passed with much difficulty. Abdominal distension is also noted in some cases. Headache due to constipation may also be effectively treated with Bryonia Alba.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
The main characteristic feature guiding the use of Bryonia Alba is hard and dry stool passed in the form of lumps.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
Bryonia Alba 30C can be administered twice or thrice a day.
3. Alumina – For Constipation With No Urge To Pass Stool For Days
Alumina is another very beneficial medicine when there is the absence of the urge to pass stool for days together. Those who need this medicine will go days without passing stool. The intestine functions is an extreme slow and sluggish manner. The stool is passed only when there is a large accumulation of fecal matter in the intestine. Another important symptom of using Alumina is excessive straining to pass stool even when the stool is soft. Alumina is also one of the mainly indicated medicines for constipation among children, infants (babies less than one year of age), bottle-fed babies, and elderly persons.
When to use Alumina?
Its use can be considered in persons who have no urge to pass stool for days together.
How to use Alumina?
The most frequently recommended dose of this medicine is Alumina 30C one to two times daily.
4. Opium – For Dry, Hard Stool In Form Of Balls
Opium works well in cases of constipation where the stool is hard, dry, and passed in a ball-like form. There is also a lack of urge to pass stool. In addition, Opium is also administered for constipation among those who often have depended for a long time on laxatives (medicines that increase bowel movement and relieve constipation) to pass the stool.
When to use Opium?
This medicine can be administered when the stool is dry and hard, and passed in ball-like form.
How to use Opium?
One may use this medicine in 30C potency one to two times a day.
5. Alumen – For Extremely Hard Stool Like Stone
Alumen is a well administered medicine for constipation when stool is extremely hard, almost like a stone. Passing of the stool becomes very difficult and is accompanied by some blood. After passing the stool, intense pain is felt in the rectum.
When to use Alumen?
Alumen is the best choice of medicine when the stool is hard like a stone.
How to use Alumen?
Though it can be used in both low and high potencies, the most commonly used potency is 30C. Alumen 30C can be administered twice or thrice daily.
6. Silicea Terra – For Obstinate Constipation with Receding Stool
Silicea is indicated in cases of obstinate constipation where the rectum feels paralyzed and inactive, and the stool is expelled with a lot of difficulty. A key feature is that the stool partly passes out, then slips back into the rectum, requiring repeated and painful straining. The sphincter ani is irritable, spasmodic, and closes upon the passing of the stool, causing stinging pain. Feces remain lodged in the rectum for a long time, and constipation notably gets worse before and during menses.
When to use Silicea Terra?
Silicea terra works wonders when constipation is obstinate with a paralyzed rectum, and when the stool comes out but recedes back after partial expulsion. There is too much of straining as well.
How to use Silicea Terra?
It can be used in lower potency,30C once a day. Higher potencies can be used only under the guidance of qualified homoeopath.
7. Plumbum Metallicum – Constipation with Obstructed Stool
Plumbum Metallicum is indicated for patients who report severe constipation. The stool is hard, lumpy and black, passed after intense urge, and spasmodic contraction of the anus. Evacuation is obstructed due to fecal impaction (fecal material that gets stuck in the rectum), with marked sensation of constriction as if the anus were drawn upward. The rectum feels painful and tense, often accompanied by neuralgic pain, and the stool is expelled only after a lot of straining and effort.
When to use Plumbum Metallicum?
Plumbum Metallicum works wonders when constipation is severe with hard, black, impacted stool and obstructed evacuation due to spasm and constriction of the anus.
How to use Plumbum Metallicum?
It can be administered with 30c potency, once or on alternate days. Higher potencies can be administered only under the guidance of a qualified homoeopath.
8. Graphites – Constipation with Knotty, Mucus-Bound Stool
Graphites is prescribed among patients who suffer from constipation and the condition is marked by large, difficult, knotty stools, often lumpy and coalesced by threads of mucus, making evacuation slow and incomplete. There is a burning sensation and congestion felt in the rectum, with itching or soreness after passing the stool. Constipation may alternate with loose, foul-smelling stools, but the dominant feature remains sluggish bowel action with hard, impacted evacuation.
When to use Graphites?
Graphites is administered when stool is hard, dry, and difficult to pass, often with cracks, mucus, or bleeding at the anus.
How to use Graphites?
It can be used in 30C potency, on a weekly basis or alternate day under the guidance of qualified homoeopath.
9. Sulphur – Constipation with Ineffectual Urging
Sulphur is indicated if constipation is accompanied by frequent urging but scanty, hard stool, and the patient has a sense of incomplete passing of stool. There is a marked burning sensation and heat is felt in the rectum after stool has been passed. Dryness and congestion of the anus is another accompanying symptom. The bowels feel irregular and inactive despite repeated efforts, which often gets worse in the morning.
When to use Sulphur?
Sulphur is very useful when constipation is accompanied by large, hard, and knotty stools, often with burning or itching at the anus.
How to use Sulphur?
It can be started with 30C potency, on a weekly basis or on alternate days.
Note: One can take the above medicines for constipation for about one to two months in the above-mentioned doses only. Always consider the advice of a qualified homeopath if no improvement is observed, or to continue taking these beyond 2 months, or if you wish to increase the potency/dose.
Causes and Pathophysiology
Our colon (large intestine) is 3 to 5 feet long and its wall is lined by muscle layers. The colon absorbs water and salts from the waste left behind after most of the nutrients have been absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine. This waste material is called stool that gets stored until it is expelled from the body. Several nerves and hormones control the motility of the colon. When the stool fills and distends the rectum, the internal anal sphincter relaxes and the need to defecate is felt. This is followed by the contraction of rectal muscles and simultaneous relaxation of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle that opens the anus and expels the stool.
Constipation happens if the muscle contractions of colon are slow and sluggish which gives the colon more time to absorb water from waste resulting in dry and hard stool which is difficult to push out. Also, constipation can also happen if there is a problem with the nerves that signals contraction of the colon and the rectum and controls the muscles required for defection, or if there is some blockage in the colon or rectum.
Predisposing Factors Behind Constipation
Many factors predispose a person to constipation.
1. A diet low in fiber
2. Sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity
3. Decreased liquid intake
4. Old age
5. Taking calcium/iron supplements
6. Overuse of medicines (such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and laxatives) Stress
7. Pregnancy
Medical conditions linked with constipation are diabetes mellitus, spinal cord lesions, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), depression, and irritable bowel syndrome (a disorder of the large intestine that causes constipation or diarrhea or an alternation between these along with gas, bloating, and stomach cramps)
Are There Any Other Associated Symptoms of Constipation?
Yes, several different symptoms may cause constipation. These are gas in the abdomen, bloating or distension of the abdomen, pain in the abdomen, headache, and nausea. Bleeding may occur while passing stool due to fissures/piles as a result of constipation or from passing hard stool. Other attending features include pain and burning sensation in the rectum while passing stool which may continue even after passing stool.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Does long-standing constipation lead to complications?
Yes. Long-standing constipation can cause piles, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, and abdominal hernia due to repeated straining and pressure.
2. What does passing hard stool with blood indicate?
Passing hard stool along with blood commonly suggests conditions such as anal fissures or piles. Medical consultation is advised to confirm the diagnosis.
3. What does constipation with excessive gas and abdominal distension indicate?
Constipation with gas and abdominal distension may indicate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional bowel disorder; medical consultation is advised for confirmation.
4. Can lifestyle changes prevent constipation?
Absolutely. A fiber-rich diet, adequate water intake, exercises, and proper bowel habits are the most effective preventive measures.
5. Can stress or anxiety cause constipation?
Yes. Stress affects gut motility and can slow bowel movements, leading to constipation.
6 .Can medications cause constipation?
Certain medications, including opioids, antacids with aluminium, iron supplements, antidepressants, and some antihypertensive, may cause constipation.
7.Does age affect bowel movements?
Older people may have slower bowel movement and less physical activity increases the risk of constipation.
8.How is constipation diagnosed by a doctor?
Diagnosis involves medical history, physical examination, and sometimes blood tests, X-rays, or colonoscopy to rule out underlying causes.
9.Does suppressing the urge to pass stool cause constipation?
Yes. Regularly ignoring the natural urge weakens bowel reflexes and worsens constipation over time.
10.Can long-term use of laxatives worsen constipation?
Yes. Overuse of laxatives can weaken bowel muscles and make constipation worse or chronic.