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Constipation

BODY ORGANS

bulletcolon

bulletlungs

bulletgall bladder, sometimes (too much bile causes diarrhoea whilst too little causes constipation)

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

bulletmiserliness

bulletholding on/tight-fisted

bulletnot letting go

EMOTIONAL ASPECT

bulletapprehension

If you are constipated you are not emptying your bowels properly. In the process of evacuation you initially pass water, followed by stools. A sign that the bowels have emptied is a second passing of water. If this does not occur then your bowels are not completely empty. Drinking lots of water will clear constipation in most cases.

From a psychological perspective, constipated people can be regarded as misers. They are trying to hold onto things, including their own waste. I encourage my constipated patients to get rid of an object that they have not used in the past five years so that they can begin to think in terms of 'letting go'. This often results in the bowels moving again.

Many people take laxatives. Habitual use of laxatives forces the body to perform its necessary functions unnaturally. Laxatives are quite unnecessary if you can eat sufficient roughage and drink enough water. The natural way to overcome the problem is to eat foods which have a naturally laxative effect - such as onion soup, pears, plums, bran, linseed oil, green vegetables and minerals - and avoid starchy foods and white flour products.

Diet suggestion

BREAKFAST

bullet2 tablespoons of bran

bullet2 tablespoons of linseed oil mixed with 1 rotten overripe black banana

bulletorange juice or apple juice

LUNCH AND DINNER

bulleteat green vegetables rather than root vegetables

bulleteliminate starchy puddings

bulletdrink sufficient water to flush your system

The colon can quite easily be restored to normal functioning within 21-28 days. Insufficient exercise combined with long periods of sitting can often cause constipation because of the lack of movement. If your work is sedentary, you can help yourself by performing regular abdominal exercises. Singing is also most helpful.

FRESII JUICE RECIPE

Make 500ml from equal amounts of the following juices:

bulletcarrot

bulletcooking apple

bulletspinach

bulletgrape

Drink undiluted on an empty stomach. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper and eat 1 raw courgette. While drinking this juice, practise 'eating the drink'.

Chronic constipation

From time to time fast for 24 hours, drinking only warm water.

RECIPE

bulletl00g almonds (skinned)

bullet2 cardamoms (small)

bullet1 tablespoon jaggery

bullet1 tablespoon poppy seeds

bullet 4 cups soya curd milk

bullet25g pork fat

Grind the ingredients into a paste and fry together. Drink slowly and the bowels will move within half an hour. Jaggery is unrefined sugar from sugar cane and can be obtained from most Asian foodstores. If you cannot buy soya curd milk, you can make it yourself in the same way as you would make yoghurt from cow's milk. Soya bean milk can be purchased from most healthfood stores and large supermarkets.

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