HOW often should one have bowel movements? Once a day? Every alternate days? The frequency of bowel movements and the consistency and volume of stools vary so greatly from one individual to another that it is very difficult to determine what is normal. Generally, constipation results when waste material moves too slowly through the large bowels. The main complaints are difficulty in passing (usually hard) stools and/or infrequent passage of stools.

Most people will have at least one bowel movement a day. Some people may go to the toilet after every meal but others may only have the urge to go once every few days. However, naturopaths and other practitioners of natural therapies have always stressed the importance of proper bowel health and generally recommend two to three bowel movements per day.

There are many causes of constipation. In many instances, the cause arises from an unhealthy diet where there is low intake of fibre and fluid. Also, a sedentary lifestyle without regular exercise can cause lazy and sluggish bowels. Administering certain medication such as antidepressants, antihypertensives and diuretics, muscle relaxants, antacids, anticonvulsants and chronic use of laxatives may induce sluggish bowel movements as well. Constipation is not an illness in itself, but it may be a symptom of one. Occasionally, constipation is a symptom of serious underlying disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome, neurogenic disorders and digestive system abnormalities.

Constipation results in poor elimination of waste products from the body causing the toxins to be re-absorbed across the gut wall into the bloodstream. Skin eruptions and various other skin conditions are often aggravated by irregular bowel motion. Unexplained frequent headaches could also be due to the transfer of accumulated toxins from the bowels into the bloodstream. Chronic constipation has also been implicated in bowel cancer. Leaving garbage in your bowels poisons the body time and again and certain disorders may fail to respond to any kind of herbs or natural remedies, until this condition is corrected first.

Treatment of constipation starts by first eliminating or correcting the cause. Then, a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be eaten daily. Also, including a probiotics (friendly bacteria) supplement in your daily regime can be effective in improving constipation. Finally, there are some rules to stick to for regular bowels.

RULES FOR REGULAR BOWELS Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.

Never repress an urge to pass motion.

Try to sit on the toilet at about the same time everyday.

Take regular exercise.

Relax and calm down-stress can affect bowel function.

There are a number of herbs that can be very effective in alleviating constipation and are soothing to the stomach where constipation is stubborn. Cascara and Marsh-mallow are two of the herbs most beneficial for relieving constipation problems.

Cascara (Cascara sagrada) Cascara sagrada means sacred bark. It is an official plant in many countries for relieving constipation. In cases of dry, hard bowel movement and especially non-movements, it also moistens the bowels. The main constituent of Cascara is anthraquinone glycosides, which is found to be a stimulating laxative. This property is beneficial in gently stimulating the large intestinal wall to increase bowel movement.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) The rootstock of this plant is white, tastes sweet and mucilaginous when chewed. It is stated to possess demulcent and emollient properties, thus very soothing for the stomach and intestinal system. Herbalists recommended Marshmallow for its soothing actions that often have an incidental healing effect as well.

Other synergistic herbs such as Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) often work well when used in combination with Cascara and Marshmallow. These additional herbs promote bowel movement, reduce inflammation, protect and soothe the entire length of the intestines.

From Healthy.net