The unpleasant problem called "constipation"
Constipation is condition where someone has fewer than three regular bowel movements within a week. However, some people may decide that they have constipation if they have missed their daily defecation. In fact, these body-purifying processes depend on the way of eating (and the fiber content in the diet), sleep, physical activity, medication intake and personal habits, so there is no universal rule for the number of bowel movements per day for all people. Also it is important that the consistency and form of the feces - they can be hard, dry or difficult to release from the body. In this situation we're talking about constipation. [ref. 1]
Diagnosing constipation
To claim with certainty that a person suffers from constipation, a set of criteria must be analyzed. A panel of experts developed the main diagnostic criteria for functional constipation and updated them regularly. [ref. 2] These are the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, which include:
- Two or more of the following:
- Pushing in more than a quarter of bowel movements.
- Hard stools or lumps in more than a quarter of cases of bowel movements.
- Feeling of incompleteness in more than a quarter of cases.
- Feeling of anorectal obstruction/blockage more than a quarter of cases.
- Need to push to facilitate more than a quarter of defecation cases.
- Less than 3 spontaneous bowel movements per week. Watery feces are rarely present without the use of laxatives.
- Does not meet all criteria for irritable colon syndrome (IBS).
An assessment under these criteria should be made for the last 3 months with a symptomatic occurrence at least 6 months before diagnosis.
Herbal teas to relieve constipation
One of the most important necessary conditions for the formation of feces is water. Therefore, good hydration is important in terms of digestion, as well as for supporting normal excretory functions of the body.
Various warm liquids such as teas and parks can help with constipation, directly or indirectly. Taking enough water and with good hydration, the risk of constipation is significantly lower than if you do not drink enough fluids.
The presence of water in the stool also makes them softer and helps them to be separated from the body more easily. Here are which herbal teas can help support peristalsis and relieve constipation:
Senna alexandrina
Sena, also called "Mother Leaf, Cassia", is among the most well-known and commonly used laxative ingredients. [ [ref. 3]
Mint tea (Mentha)
Mint is a popular natural remedy for digestive disorders in the form of tea. Most often the species Mentha spicata is used for this purpose, as well as for culinary means.
Many over-the-counter medicines for digestive problems contain mint extract, which is explained by the calming effect of menthol in mint. Menthol can stimulate peristalsis to form and secrete feces through the intestines. Drinking a cup of mint tea after each meal can benefit people who have constipation or upset stomach. [ [ref. 4] ]
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Tea from ordinary dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) can help with mild digestive disorders, such as bloating or occasional episodes of constipation. Dandelion stimulates the liver to produce bile, which can indirectly help with constipation. Dandelion tea can also act as a diuretic in the body, as well as for hydration of the digestive system. [ [ref. 5] ]
Chamomile (Matricaria)
Chamomile is a familiar aromatic herb with a calming effect on the body, used as tea or infusion. Drinking a cup of chamomile tea after eating or towards the end of the day can help to calm the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and speed up the time between nutrition and defecation. [ [ref. 6] ]
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Tea made from licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a popular tonic for people with digestive problems.
