Patients suffering from constipation should carefully follow the diet and lifestyle precautions given below.
Foods that are beneficial and can be taken:
Ajma (carom/ajwain seeds), adad (black gram), pickles (athana), ginger (in larger quantity), tamarind, grapes, fig, cucumber, black grapes (more), mango, kokam, coriander leaves, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, dates, sour drinks, sugar, khichdi, galka (ridge-gourd variety), carrot, cow’s milk (more), jaggery, wheat, ghee, chikoo (sapota), ber/jujube, cumin, jowar (sorghum), tomato, muskmelon, sesame seeds, sesame oil, tandaljo/amaranth greens (more), tuvar (pigeon pea), turiya (ridge gourd), dal (lentils), castor oil (more), milk, milk decoction, dudhi (bottle gourd), coriander, papaya (more), parwal (pointed gourd), betel leaf, papad, spinach, bhadku-thuli (coarse-grain preparations, more), bhakhri, rice, bhindo (okra), moong, butter, sweets (in small quantity), salt, tender radish, mustard, brinjal, hot/fresh roti, garlic (more), lemon, peas (few), val beans (few), sweet potato, sugarcane juice, sargavo (drumstick), turmeric, hing/asafoetida (more) … and similar items.
Lifestyle habits that are beneficial:
Walking, physical exertion/exercise, abdominal massage with castor oil, purgation (rechan) when advised by a physician, yogic exercise (asanas, sports, etc.), bathing, swimming, and sudation (swedan) — applying castor oil to arka/madar leaves, tying them on the abdomen, and giving steam fomentation over them.
Foods that should be avoided:
Kadhi (spiced yogurt curry), kodri (kodo millet), banana, guar (cluster beans), chana (chickpeas), rice, buttermilk/chaas (especially), guava, cold drinks, fried foods, curd/yogurt (especially), orange, pav (bread), papdi (flat beans), refrigerator-cold water, fruit juice, fruit salad, goat’s milk, potato, ice, bajri/pearl millet (especially), biscuits (especially), corn, groundnuts, masoor dal (red lentils), fenugreek seeds, fenugreek leaves (methi bhaji), stale food, shrikhand, water chestnut (singoda), apple, dry ginger (sunth) … and similar items.
Lifestyle habits that should be avoided:
Excessive sexual activity, excessive fasting, staying up late at night, sleeping during the daytime, and unnecessary travel.
How to take Basti (medicated enema):
Obtain a 10 ml disposable syringe and a No. 10 rubber catheter from a surgical/medical store. Warm 5 ml of castor oil slightly and mix in it a small quantity of hing (asafoetida), sanchal or sindhav (rock salt). Have the patient lie on the left side with the left leg kept straight and the right leg bent towards the hip. A knowledgeable person should then administer the basti into the rectum. The syringe and rubber catheter must be in proper working condition, and the person giving the basti should apply gentle, even pressure throughout. If this is not manageable at home, it is best to visit the nearest Panchakarma centre and have a Matra Basti administered there by trained staff.
Which foods are beneficial in constipation?
Foods such as carom seeds, cumin, coriander, bottle gourd (dudhi), castor oil, papaya, amaranth greens (tandaljo), cow’s milk, ghee, jaggery and dates are generally well-suited for people with constipation.
Which foods should be avoided in constipation?
Kadhi, banana, chickpeas (chana), buttermilk (especially), curd/yogurt (especially), refrigerator-cold water, fruit juice, potato, biscuits, pearl millet (bajri, especially), fenugreek and stale food should be avoided.
What lifestyle should be followed in constipation?
Walking, exercise, castor-oil abdominal massage, bathing/swimming, and steam fomentation over the abdomen using castor-oil-coated arka (madar) leaves are beneficial. Excessive sexual activity, staying up late, and daytime sleep should be avoided.
How is Basti (enema) taken for constipation?
Using a surgical syringe and rubber catheter, slightly warmed castor oil mixed with hing and rock salt can be administered as a basti by a knowledgeable person; if this is not feasible at home, it is best to get a Matra Basti done at the nearest Panchakarma centre.
For authentic Ayurvedic treatment of chronic stomach disorders such as constipation, and for further guidance, please contact us.
Dr. Nikul Patel (B.A.M.S.)
307, 3rd Floor, Shalin Complex, Above Farki Lassi, Krishnabaug Char Rasta, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008
Timings: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM | Saturday–Sunday: Closed
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