Lately, a lot of people have asked my advise about constipation. According to my studies, the Orientals believe that the center of the body's strength is located in the abdominal area, which is called the Hara. The area between the ribcage and the pelvic bone contains most of our vital organs, and for a healthy individual food and energy flows freely through its meridian channels. In my practical experience, signs or symptoms of ill-health often begins with more frequently experienced periods of stagnation combined with other signs of physical discomfort and a weak immune system. Daily self-shiatsu massage of the abdomen is very helpful and is always my first advise to everyone. See the picture of the reflex points to the Hara/abdomen below....But massage will only help if dietary changes are made simultaneously! Prolonged constipation blocks proper absorption of nutrients, resulting in vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Dietary changes may be necessary, and it is important to be familiar with a wide variety of healing herbs that can restore a healthy digestive system. What are the early signs and symptoms of ill-digestive health that one should pay attention to?
Warning signs of digestive problems
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Vertigo
- Spontaneous sweating
- Fatigue
- Dry Stool
- Bad breath
- Distended abdomen
- Cold limbs
- Scanty, dark urine
- Abdominal discomfort
Should you notice negative changes in the frequency of your bowel movement, it would be wise to review dietary habits and yourexercise routine.
Helpful Nutrients
Aloe Vera Has a healing and cleansing effect on the digestive tract, and aids in forming soft stool. Drink 1/2 cup of Aloe Vera juice in the morning and at night. It can be mixed with a cup of herbal tea if you wish.
George's Aloe Vera Juice from Warren Laboratories is recommended, but other great brands are available as well.
- Consume Multi-vitamin and mineral complex with vitamin A and natural Beta-carotine.
- Freshly ground flax-seeds are excellent source of essential fatty acids - consume 1 tbsp 3 time a day before meals.
Exercising on regular basis is one of the best remedies to constipation!
Helpful Herbs
Demulcent herbs (cream):
- Marshmallow root
- Flax seed
- Fenugreek seed
- Pyllium seed
- Licorice root
Laxative Herbs:
- Dandelion root
- Rhubarb root
- Cascara Bark
- Barberry bark
Chinese Medicine:
- Da Huang - clears heat and moves energy down
- Dang Gui - moves stool
- Mu Xiang, Wu Yao and Chen Xiang - eliminate liver qi stagnation
What should you eat?
Eat high-fiber foods such as: fresh fruit, raw green leafy vegetables, brown rice daily. Baked sweet potatoes, squash soup and vegetable stews are only a few dishes that will add bulk to your stool.
Consume plenty of foods that are high in pectin such as: apple, carrots, beets, bananas, cabbage, citrus fruit, dried peas and okra.
A list of foods that lubricates bowels:
Spinach, Alfa sprouts, Carrot, Cauliflower, Beet, Okra, Whole fresh milk, Seaweed, Sesame seed/oil, Soy products, Honey, Prune, Nuts, Almond, Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach, Raw Sour cabbage, Cabbage, Peas, Asparagus, Barn from oats, Castor oil.Beta-carotine foods are believed to have preventative properties against colon cancer.
Foods to Avoid include:
- Fried foods
- Follow a low fat diet
- Avoid foods that stimulates secretion by mucous membranes such as poor quality dairy products, fats and spicy food.
- Yeast-ed bread (use sour dough)
- refined 'white' foods such as: all white-flour products, white sugars,white rice
Helpful Drinks:
On an empty stomach first thing in the morning or even later time:
- 100% pure Prune juice
- fresh carrot or beets juice
- fresh grapefruit juice
(Allow time for your body to respond! I suggest to be on the safe side, you should consume such drinks at least 30 minutes prior to leaving your home)
Drink more room temperature water. This is important when adding more fibres to the diet. Drink at least 8 x 1 ounce glasses of water every day, whether you are thirsty or not.
Alfa extract contains chlorophyll, which aids in detoxifying the body and cleansing the breath. Fennel seed tea is also great for refreshing the breath.
Shiatsu - Acupressure Massage helps to manage constripation!
In Japan and around the world, 'Hara treatment' has been used for hundreds of years as prevention and/or solution to relief constipation
Therapeutic Shiatsu massage is an excellent preventative treatment to assess and treat stagnation at the same time. During a Shiatsu session, we often spend 5-10 minutes to tonify the energy of the 'hara' the abdomen. This gentle tecnhique truly works miracles. Accourding to most clients, after each hara treatment, a bowel movement is sure to follow in 90% of all cases.
Self -Care:
Hara massage is also easy to learn and can be performed at home on daily basis. It will help restoring the free flow of bowels and stimulate the onset of natural peristaltic movement.
Questions? Contact us now and we will be happy to assist you!
NEW HERBAL PRODUCT - Colon Assist
is recommended by Matthias Muschol, Vancouver Herbalist
Matthias Muschol has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to preventative medicine and herbal healing. I highly recommend his choice of natural remedies. Please read on to find out how Colon Assist can aid in constipation....
Colon Assist is a herbal product, provides a combination of herbs that produce an effective cleansing action and relief from constipation. Helps reduce intestinal parasites, relieve gastrointestinal upsets such as cramps and bloating and alleviate bowel disorders.
Suggested Use of Colon Assist:
Take 2 capsules with a full glass of water at least 1 hour after a meal, once or twice a day. Increase by one capsule every other day until you achieve desired results. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day.
Do not exceed 10 capsules per day unless directed by a health practitioner.
Cautions: not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
Price:
Colon Assist … 400 mg … 100 Vegi-Caps Cost: $34.00 (incl. tax)
Questions?
Please contact
Matthias Muschol
via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone: 604-251-4197
Ingredients:
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra): helps reduce intestinal parasites and constipation; aids in digestion; helpful in treating fungal infections.
Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana): colon cleanser and laxative;helpful with colon disorders, constipation, and parasitic infestation.
Chlorella (Chlorella pyrendoidosa): highest in chlorophyll among all plants; rich in essential nutrients; effective detoxifier; promotes healthy cellular growth.
Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare): helps relieve gastrointestinal upsets and relaxes the large intestine; settles stomach pain, colic and bloating; stimulates appetite; diuretic and anti-inflammatory; aids in weight loss.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): helps cleanse the colon, reduces spasms and cramps; stimulates circulation; strong antioxidant and antimicrobial; known to relieve indigestion, nausea, morning sickness, vomiting, fever and hot flashes.
Kelp (Laminaria species): standardized to contain at least 0.07 % iodine; great source of vitamins, particularly the B vitamins; rich in many valuable minerals and trace elements; due to high iodine content it helps treat thyroid problems; reported beneficial to brain tissue and the nervous system.
Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum): helps eliminate intestinal worms, enhances gallbladder function; has antibiotic properties; beneficial for disorders of the colon, spleen and liver; promotes healing of duodenal ulcers; effective in cases of constipation, malabsorption, and parasitic infection.
Slippery Elm Bark (Ulmus rubra): helps soothe inflamed mucous membranes of the bowels, stomach, and urinary tract; good for diarrhea and ulcers and for treatment of colds, flu and sore throat.
Sodium Salt of Butyric Acid: short chain fatty acid produced by some probiotic bacteria; helps maintain mucosal integrity of the colon; important for a healthy balance of the flora in the colon.