5 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Constipation

Constipation refers to an infrequent bowel movement or difficulty in passing stool. Infrequent bowel movement means passing less than three stools a week. Other indicative symptoms are hard stool, insufficient stool, unsatisfactory stool or a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, strain on passing stool and in extreme cases, a need to use fingers to remove stool in small kids.

Homeopathy has proven to be highly effective in treating cases of constipation. Homeopathic medicines along with dietary and lifestyle management help magnificently in different constipation types ranging from passage of hard stool, to unsatisfactory stool, passing stools infrequently, to the sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation. Any associated symptoms like gas, bloating of the abdomen, pain in the abdomen, headache, and nausea are also taken care of with these medicines. Homeopathic medicines are suitable to treat constipation in persons of all age groups.

Homeopathy can treat constipation from the roots. Homeopathic medicines help to improve bowel movement which is sluggish in constipation cases. These also act as stool softeners thus preventing straining to pass stool and aiding easy and smooth stool passage.

Homeopathy is the best choice to offer a natural, safe treatment for cases of constipation as it uses natural remedies free of any chemicals and synthetic matter. Unlike mainstream medicine which uses laxatives to treat constipation and carries the risk of dependency, homeopathic medicines are non-habit-forming and under no circumstances cause any type of side effects. Once started, homeopathy will slowly and gradually reduce your dependency on laxatives.

Acute as well as chronic (long-term cases of constipation are known to respond wonderfully well to homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy is also highly beneficial to manage piles and anal fissures that may result from long-term constipation.

Homeopathy is a symptom-based science so to treat constipation medicines are to be selected as per peculiar and unique characteristic symptoms in each case of constipation. Therefore the homeopathic practitioner will study the symptoms in detail, identify and evaluate the important symptoms and then select the appropriate medicine that will suit any given case of constipation.

Top 5 Homeopathic Medicines for Constipation

The best medicines for treating constipation are Nux Vomica, Bryonia Alba, Alumina, Opium and Alumen.

1. Nux Vomica – For Constipation With Constant Ineffectual Urge For Stool

Nux Vomica is one of the most frequently used medicines for treating constipation with a constant ineffectual urge to pass stool. A person who needs Nux Vomica passes insufficient, scanty stool, very frequently. The stool is unsatisfactory. Even after passing stool many times a day, there is a never ‘got done’ feeling. Abdomen pain may arise along with constipation. Nux Vomica is also a good choice of medicine for treating constipation in persons with a sedentary lifestyle (inactive lifestyle with prolonged sitting with little or no physical activity). More importantly, it also effectively treats piles with constipation.

When to use Nux Vomica?

This medicine can be used in persons who have constipation with constant ineffectual urge to pass stool and even after passing stool several times a day, do not have a satisfactory feeling.

How to use Nux Vomica?

This medicine is used in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M. Initially, it is best to use Nux vomica 30C twice or thrice a day. Higher potencies can be used afterward after consulting a homeopathic doctor.

2. Bryonia Alba  – For Dry, Hard, Stool In Lump Form

For constipation with a hard, dry stool that passes in lumps, Bryonia Alba is considered one of the best medicines. The stool is dry as if burnt and is passed with much difficulty. Abdominal distension is also noted in some cases. Headache due to constipation may also be effectively treated with Bryonia Alba.

When to use Bryonia Alba?

The main characteristic feature guiding use of Bryonia Alba is hard dry stool passed in lump form.

How to use Bryonia Alba?

Bryonia Alba 30C can be taken two to three times a day.

3. Alumina – For Constipation With No Urge To Pass Stool For Days

Alumina is another highly beneficial medicine when there is the absence of the urge to pass stool for days together. The person needing Alumina will go days without passing stool. The action of the intestine is extremely slow and sluggish. The stool is passed only when there is a large accumulation of fecal matter in the intestine. Another important symptom of using Alumina is excessive straining to pass stool even when the stool is soft.  Alumina is also one of the majorly indicated medicines for constipation in children, infants (babies less than one year of age), bottle-fed babies, and elderly persons.

When to use Alumina?

Its use can be considered in persons who have no urge to pass stool for days together.

How to use Alumina?

The most frequently recommended dose of this medicine is Alumina 30C once or twice a day.

4. Opium – For Dry, Hard Stool In Form Of Balls

Opium works well in cases of constipation where the stool is hard, dry, and passed in a ball-like form. There is also a lack of urge to pass stool. In addition, Opium is also the medicine for constipation where the person has been taking laxatives (medicines that increase bowel movement and relieve constipation) to pass stool for a long time.

When to use Opium?

This medicine can be used when stool is hard, dry and passed in ball-like form.

How to use Opium?

One may use this medicine in 30C potency once or twice a day.

5. Alumen – For Extremely Hard Stool Like Stone

Alumen is a well-indicated medicine for constipation when stool is extremely hard like a stone. Passing of stool is very difficult and is attended with some blood in it. After passing stool, intense pain is felt in the rectum.

When to use Alumen?

Alumen is the best choice of medicine when the stool is exceedingly hard like a stone.

How to use Alumen?

Though it can be used in both low and high potencies, the most commonly used is 30C potency. Alumen 30C can be taken two to three times a day.

Note One can take the above medicines for constipation for about one to two months in the above-mentioned doses only. Always consider the advice of a homeopathic expert if no improvement is seen, or to continue taking these beyond 2 months, or if you wish to increase the potency/dose.

Causes and Pathophysiology

Our colon (large intestine) is 3 to 5 feet long and its wall is lined by muscle layers.  The colon absorbs water and salts from the waste received from the small intestine creating a solid matter stool, storing stool until it is expelled from the body, and muscle contractions in the colon propel the stool towards the rectum to be thrown out of the body. Several nerves and hormones control the motility of the colon. When the stool fills and distends the rectum, the internal anal sphincter relaxes and the need to defecate is felt. This is followed by the contraction of rectal muscles and simultaneous relaxation of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle that opens the anus and expels stool.  Constipation can occur if the muscle contractions of colon are slow and sluggish which gives the colon more time to absorb water from waste resulting in dry and hard stool which is difficult to push out. Also, constipation can arise if there is a problem with the nerves that signal contraction of the colon and rectum and control muscles required for defection, or there is some blockage in the colon or rectum.

Predisposing Factors Behind Constipation

Many factors predispose a person to constipation. A diet low in fiber, a sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity, decreased liquid intake, old age, taking calcium/iron supplements, overuse of medicines (such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and laxatives) and stress also predispose one towards constipation. It is a common complaint among women during pregnancy. Medical conditions linked with constipation are diabetes mellitus, spinal cord lesions, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), depression, and irritable bowel syndrome (a disorder of the large intestine that causes constipation or diarrhea or an alternation between these along with gas, bloating, and stomach cramps)

 Are There Any Other Associated Symptoms With Constipation?

Yes, several different symptoms may cause constipation. These are gas in the abdomen, bloating or distension of the abdomen, pain in the abdomen, headache, and nausea. Bleeding may occur while passing stool due to fissures/piles as a result of constipation or from passing hard stool. Other attending features include pain and burning sensation in the rectum while passing stool which may continue even after passing stool.

 Frequently Asked Questions

1.Does long-standing constipation lead to complications?

Yes, long-standing constipation may lead to piles, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse. Abdominal hernia (inguinal hernia/umbilical hernia) may also arise from long-standing constipation. Piles refers to swollen and dilated veins in the rectal canal or anus. An anal fissure refers to a tear in the tissue lining of the anus. Rectal prolapse refers to the protrusion of a part or the entire rectum from the anus. An abdominal hernia is the protrusion of an organ through the abdominal wall or cavity which normally contains it.

2. I pass a hard stool with blood, what could the cause be?

Passing a hard stool with blood points towards two conditions –anal fissures or piles. Kindly consult a physician to confirm the diagnosis.

3. In my case, constipation is accompanied by a lot of gas and distension of the abdomen. What does that indicate?

Excessive gas and distended abdomen with constipation could indicate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is a functional bowel disorder without any pathological changes in bowels. In irritable bowel syndrome, constipation/diarrhea can predominate or alternate. Other symptoms include a bloated abdomen, gas, cramps in the abdomen, and mucus in stool. Kindly check with a physician for confirmation.