constipation

[debjsd]

I know that Susun does not recomend laxatives such as cascara as they are harsh and not wise woman nourishing--have any of you found a good gentle laxative for occasional use? I have a very healty lifestyle but still suffer from my childhood--when around 12 yrs old was on antibiotics for over a year, and ate the typical 50/60's diet high in white bread and sugar! I remember having terrible gas and bloating, constipation and then the runs, as an older teen then developed yeast problems. Over the years I figured out that I cannot tolerate gluten, or cow's milk products and with a much healthier diet and herbs am mostly great with digestive issues. But if I get off my schedule at all I am constipated--I am going on vacation in 3 weeks and travel always messes up my system so am hoping for some suggestions! I have tried ground flax seed or pyslium seed but seem to have some allergic response to both if I do much. I already drink regular infusions of red clover, nettles and sometimes lemon balm and elderberries.

[sapphire kate]

Probiotic foods might help - live culture yoghurt (goat if you can't have cow), unpasteurised miso, lacto ferments, unpasteurised saurkraut etc

Prunes or dates is a classic home remedy for constipation.

[Narayani]

Soak 2 prunes, about 12 raisins and 2 figs in water overnight. (Just enough water to really cover them). In the morning eat the soaked fruit, chewing them very well and drink the liquid.

[RoseRed]

A few drops of yellow dock tincture. I would try it before going on a trip so that you know how it'll affect you first.

[Lady Alinor]

I ate too many dried Apricotes over the weekend

I find a quart of Nettle a day keeps me more than regular. I also have dairy issues, dairy constipates me something horrible, Nettle helps!
Artichokes are good for moving things along, Beets too.

[cataway]

Try coffee if you don't already consume it.

[debjsd]

I am actually one of the rare people who hate coffee(love the smell but not the taste!) I do eat pro-biotic foods regularly but thought it might be more difficult to do while traveling--however I may need to buy some capsules of acidopholis to take. I will have to up my intake of nettles to see if that makes a differnce, and will try the prune/fig combo. We found yellow dock growing nearby but don't know much about it--do you use the leaves and roots and is it the wrong time right now to harvest roots? I wouldn't have much time to make a tincture but of course could buy some--still would like to know how to do it for future use. What else is yellow dock good for? Thanks for your replies! Deb

[RoseRed]

You'll tincture the root. It's usually best to harvest it after the first frost. It's also good raising iron levels.

Yellow Dock @ Herbs2000 http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_yellow_dock.htm

I would stick with the tincture. Good luck actually getting past the taste of the decoction - it's downright awful.

[Lady Alinor]

For some folks coffee is a constipator.

I agree with the driedprune suggestions. Buy a package that can travel in your pack/purse/pocket and munch a few each day.
Don't eat the whole lot in one day though no matter how tasty they are. (I keep thinking how good the dried Apricots were, I couldn't stop eating them and paid the price )