Natural Laxative suggestions please

auntiecorri

A nice strong cup of camomile tea does the trick for me. I also aim for 30-35 grams of fiber a day.

sweetpea129

50 grams? Wow! I guess i need to up it then. MFP sets my goal at 16g (default settings) and I have about 25g a day so i thought i was getting more than enough but after reading this I must not be! Thank you!

Better increase it gradually or you'll be a tooting machine with awful gas pains. :ohwell:

LOL! Good suggestion. I will do that LOL.

JHamp1983

Bran flakes or oatmeal works for me.

MsJulielicious

Ground flaxseed and chia seeds. They will make you regular and they have other health benefits such as omega 3's

coffee4me57

Prune juice warmed in the microwave-not the tastiest but gets the job done!
Chia seeds blended in a smoothie

Athijade

Aloe Vera, either in pills or as juice (I prefer the pills because the juice is nasty). I take it for other reasons but it has really helped my digestive issues as well.

laserturkey

Senna tablets (it's a pill, but it is natural)

Or Taco Bell.

My doctor advised me only to use senna very rarely because repeated use of it can cause permanent damage to the intestines. He prescribed Glycolax, which is perfectly safe to take daily and for the long term. The OTC version of this is Miralax. It's a flavorless, odorless powder you can stir into water or juice. Because I have IBS Type C, I've had this prescription for years.

However, if you want to avoid even that, an apple or two with a cup of coffee or tea is pretty effective. Avocados are loaded with fiber, too, so it might help to have them more frequently.

lynn_glenmont

Thank you for the suggestions- i really will try all of these until i find something that works.

And I agree about laxatives. Not good. I just couldnt take it anymore.

I think my water intake is good. Fiber is good too. So not sure where else to change my diet?

Do you track your fiber? If you're only getting the minimum that MFP recommends, you might try increasing it by 5 grams or so a day and see if that helps.
Beyond that, exercise (doesn't have to be strenuous, just movement) can help too.
If the feedback from your family bothers you, could stop talking about your bowel movements with them But you've said a couple of times that after several days you get uncomfortable, enough apparently that you tried laxatives, so I think you're right to continue to look for adjustments that will help

AmyRhubarb

How's your fat intake? A lot of people go all low-fat when trying to lose weight and run into this problem.

Fat doesn't make ya fat, too many calories do - make sure you're getting some healthy fats in your diet!

Schatze1975

A good flush out is some Epsom salt and warm water with lemon......it also cleanse your liver. I'd do it very sparingly. It literally flushes your -ss out! But if you eat a lot of roughage like broccoli etc that helps me. Of course there is prune juice etc but sounds like you have tried all that. Btw congrats on weight loss there!

diadia1

peanuts nuts does the trick for me.
my mom eat sunflower seeds and it does the trick for her too.

Warchortle

If you don't eat a lot in a deficit it's quite possible to not poop daily. When I was young at tennis camp we trained so much I think I peed once in a week.

Honestly, not pooping isn't a big deal unless it's painful.

Cindyinpg

How's your fat intake? A lot of people go all low-fat when trying to lose weight and run into this problem.

Fat doesn't make ya fat, too many calories do - make sure you're getting some healthy fats in your diet!

This is an excellent point. I remember going on a few goofy low fat diets in the 90's and that was definitely a side effect.

misskelli22

Smooth Move herbal/senna tea works very well and tastes good. It's even sold and some conventional stores around me, Target, Giant Eagle. Senna laxatives do come in pill form also. It is absolutely not something to use regularly but sometimes you do need to get things moving. Like others have said, prunes, high fiber diet, water, exercise, green smoothies are loaded with fiber.

Good luck!

Junken_Diraffe

You're welcome.

MB_Positif

Senna tablets (it's a pill, but it is natural)

Or Taco Bell.

My doctor advised me only to use senna very rarely because repeated use of it can cause permanent damage to the intestines. He prescribed Glycolax, which is perfectly safe to take daily and for the long term. The OTC version of this is Miralax. It's a flavorless, odorless powder you can stir into water or juice. Because I have IBS Type C, I've had this prescription for years.

However, if you want to avoid even that, an apple or two with a cup of coffee or tea is pretty effective. Avocados are loaded with fiber, too, so it might help to have them more frequently.

Yeah, I was thinking just in terms of getting things moving. Senna was the only thing that worked after I was on strong pain meds after major surgery.

elsyoommen

be careful with senna, even though it is "natural" it will cause dependence and long term side effects. My gastro recommended Restoralax/Laxaday for me for occasional constipation. It does not cause dependence or mess you up. It takes a couple of days to work. Then focus on not just getting more fibre but also getting different kinds of fibre (soluble and insoluble) as well as your water. Having some oils in your diet also helps (olive oil and coconut oil both help me). Getting into a good routine and then keeping the routine going. You may also want to introduce yogurt into your diet if you don't already have it and probiotic supplements.

you should talk to your doctor, and ideally a specialist if possible.

LissaK1981

Check your birth control too. I got the mirena and have had problems ever since. I track my fiber. A little coffee every morning helps along with prunes, prune juice and plum juice. Maybe adding some probiotic stuff like yogurt and kombucha. Have you ever had Kombucha? I love GT's Cherry chia kombucha. I think soaked chia seeds may help. Also flax seeds. Pineapple can help with your tummy. I guess it is hard to say where to start without know why you go so long in between. Instead of laxatives maybe a stool softner?

rhondagamountain

Natural Calm Natural Vitality - Raspberry Lemon. It is magnesium supplement and I swear by it. It is advertised as the anti-stress drink but I use it to stay regular and to keep my legs from jerking at night. I also noticed it has same effect on my mood and joints as SamE which made be constipated and is more expensive. It is $24.00 for three month supply on Amazon. You can also get it with calcium.

BrendaLee

Magnesium citrate (in the vitamin aisle). It's been a miracle worker for me. Try 450 or 500mg once or twice a day, and it can be taken daily. If you do take it daily, take a calcium supplement, as well, but a couple of hours apart. They work together but can fight for absorption if taken at the same time. Larger doses of vitamin C will get you going as well.

laughingdani

Papaya extract chewable tablets. Found in the vitamin aisle or any vitamin store.
Gentle on sensitive tummies as well. My daughter uses them.

mhematia

I find that prunes, coffee and olive oil help. The olive oil is a tad disgusting but hey, it works.

MrsLannister

I have had success mixing six ounces of prune juice and two ounces of orange juice twice a day until the problem was resolved.

sydneyplainjane

A tablespoon of flax seed (mixed in yogurt) works great for me (definitely drink water after, because flax soaks up a lot of fluid). Another is chocolate. Third, something with a tomato sauce base (chili or spaghetti sauce). Don't know why, but after spaghetti sauce or chili (with or without beans), I'm good to go. In fact, I usually eat one of them the day before I do a weigh in.

iechick

daily green smoothie with kale, spinach, chia seeds and fruit-when I added them to my daily diet I lost .5lb in two days, just from things moving along :laugh: They're healthy for you and keeps things very regular.

Marcia315

One pint of draft beer

tonyamariepierce

i used to take 6 stool softeners a day. now I eat greek yogurt with granola and it works everytime. another healthy alternative is to heat up a cup of water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinager and 2 tablespoons of raw honey.

MickeyCastello

Dates work for me. Be careful what you try though, too much fiber can plug you up as well. Yes... I'm speaking from experience.

MyJourney1960

oh and another one - two glasses of water first thing in the morning. drink slowly. works like a charm.

mockchoc

I didn't read this all so sorry if I am saying something already said but yes like some others mentioned prunes or prune juice is good. The more fibre you have the more water or other drinks you need to flush it through.