Why Do We Get Constipated? Which Foods are Binding, and Which Foods are Laxative?

(Constipation 1)

Setareh Kiumarsi

Are you suffering from constipation?!

What makes the movement of stool in your colon so hard and makes you constipated?!

There are different types of constipation! You can get constipated due to too much dryness, coldness, heat or moisture (toxins and undigested mucus) in your colon!

Let us explain constipation in simple words…

Constipation can occur due to too much dryness in your colon! If you constantly eat dry foods in excess and without their antidotes, you will gradually dry up the mucus membrane of your colon! Because of this dryness, the stool cannot move through your colon easily! In other words you will have difficulty with the downward movement of stool in your colon!

This is usually a Vata constipation (due to excess coldness and dryness in colon) or Pitta constipation (due to excess heat and dryness in colon). Constipation can occur due to the presence of too much toxins and undigested mucus in the colon. This is usually a Kapha constipation. If you eat heavy and greasy foods that are hard to digest everyday, your intestines and colon will get filled with undigested mucus. This mucus will make your stool sticky, make blockages in your colon, and interrupt the downward movement of stool in your colon.

‌Both of the conditions above can combine and create a Vata-Kapha constipation. In this type the mucus membrane of the colon gets too dry and the colon becomes like a dry tunnel. On the other hand, pieces of undigested mucus have stuck to the wall of this tunnel and blocked the way! As a result, the stool cannot move through the colon and its downward movement is interrupted. So what should we eat to have a good bowl movement?! Which foods are constipating and which foods are laxative?

Which foods bind stool and cause constipation?!

Quince, pomegranate seeds,  blueberry, acorn, raspberry, cranberry, persimmon, barberry, jujube, apple, broccoli, potato, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cilantro, coriander, green peas, green beans, mint, mint tea, fava bean, lentil, split pea, kidney bean, mung bean, garbanzo bean,  ginger, ginger tea, sumac, rice, white wheat flour, cheese, yogurt, barley.

• A lot of the people who are suffering from constipation and have a cold constitution (for example Vata-Kapha people) drink ginger tea in order to kindle their digestive fire and increase the fire element in their body… But did you know that ginger tea is a strong remedy for diarrhea?!
• Ginger is a strong herb that scrapes and cleanses the mucus in colon; so it can be a good short term remedy for Kapha constipation. However, it you consume it routinely and daily, it will dry up the mucus membrane of your colon and can cause chronic constipation!
• In general it is better to use ginger as a short term remedy for diseases such as flu, diarrhea, etc…. Avoid consuming ginger tea on a daily basis… especially if your Vata or Pitta is aggravated!

Which foods are laxative…?!

Which foods are good remedies for constipation that are due to too much dryness in your colon (Vata type constipation or Pitta type constipation)?!

Prune, plum, pineapple, mango, grape, avocado, papaya, orange, blackberry, honeydew melon, apricot, tamarind, cantaloupe, raisin, kiwi, tangerine, peach, ripped banana, , jujube, grape juice, mango juice, pineapple juice, prune juice, rhubarb, olive, okra, tomato, pistachio, sesame seed, walnut, tahini, flax seeds, psyllium husk, chia seeds, teff seeds, kefir (diluted), milk (warm), sea foods, egg yolk, ghee, olive oil, castor oil, flax seed oil, sesame oil.

Which foods are good remedies for constipation that are due to the presence of too much toxins and undigested mucus in the colon (Kapha type constipation)?

Pear, spinach, oregano, eggplant, radish, leeks, green onions, celery (cooked and spiced), beet, carrot, parsley, basil, fenugreek leaves, cinnamon, fennel, turmeric, beet juice, spinach juice, carrot juice.