Some of the best home remedies for constipation are drinks. A cup of hot lemon water with a little honey stirred into it taken first thing in the morning will usually bring on a bowel movement, especially if it is followed by a brief period of exercise (such as ten minutes on a treadmill or a brief walk or run).

Prune juice is well known for its natural laxative effect, but any kind of dried stewed fruit (prunes, dates, raisins) stirred into oatmeal each morning will have a similar effect. Corn syrup or honey stirred into cold water and drunk throughout the day (in place of plain water or carbonated beverages) is another effective home remedy for constipation.

A half a cup of olive oil mixed with half a cup of orange juice is a stronger mixture that many people swear by. Castor oil is one of the oldest home remedies for constipation, but it tends to be harsher than honey, lemon, or fruit, so use it sparingly at first.

One of the newest home remedies for constipation is pro-biotic yogurt or cheese eaten once a day. Often, when people become ill, complete a course of antibiotics, or have a very poor diet, the beneficial microorganisms that live in the intestines are killed off, causing constipation. Eating pro-biotic yogurt every day restores the natural intestinal balance and prevents future bowel problems.

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