5 Natural Laxatives That Do Not Irritate The Intestine

When choosing foods to regulate transit, it is important that they are natural laxatives to avoid complications. Likewise, we have to consume a lot of water to facilitate the work of the intestine.

Laxatives are a common solution for people suffering from constipation. However, most of them cause an emptying of the intestine from the irritation of this organ, something that, in the long run, can lead to more important and irreversible problems. For this reason, the healthiest and most effective alternative are natural laxatives that do not irritate the intestine.

Natural laxatives that do not irritate

Whether chemical or natural, most laxatives have irritating effects on the gut.  For this reason, they should only be used very occasionally and as long as other options have not worked for us.

In fact, many of them already indicate that they cannot be used on a daily basis. As we have said, this does not happen only with chemical laxatives, but there are some natural ones that are also irritants, such as senna, aloe vera or cascara sagrada.

These have to be used very sporadically; If they are abused, you could develop a lazy bowel or other problems.

When to take them?

To treat constipation, we will choose another type of laxatives, with softer and more regulatory effects and that favor intestinal transit without causing any irritation or dependence. The best time to take these laxative foods is in the morning on an empty stomach, after drinking a glass of water.

The best time to facilitate the work of the intestine is between 5 and 7 in the morning. They can alternate and see how each of them works in the body.

1. Apple with peel

The apple with peel is included among the osmotic natural laxatives ; that is, those that attract water into the intestine to soften the stool and facilitate its transit.

This fruit is very rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which favor a natural regulation of the intestine both in cases of constipation and diarrhea. To consume its peel, you have to choose organic apples; This way, we make sure that it is free of pesticides, waxes and other substances that are harmful to health.

2. Psyllium

Psyllium, psyllium or ispaghula is a c ombinación soluble and insoluble fibers from the shell of a seed that is traditionally used in India and Pakistan. It is part of the laxatives rich in mucilage, which attract water, swell like a jelly and improve stool transit.

Psyllium should always be mixed with a good glass of water. In a few seconds, we will see how the gelatinous texture that we can consume appears.

3. Flax seeds

Flax seeds are also part of the same type of natural laxatives as psyllium; in the same way, they  stand out for their high mucilage content. The seeds should also be soaked for a few hours to work properly. Another idea is to combine or alternate them with chia seeds, with similar effects.

4. Kiwi

One or two well-ripened kiwis in the morning, on an empty stomach, have an amazing and almost immediate effect on many people with a tendency to suffer from constipation. They are, for example, a very good option for children.

For people who do not like their taste, they can be prepared in the form of a smoothie together with other fruits such as pear, apple or coconut.  In this way, more water and fiber are also added.

5. Prunes

The dried plum or raisin is, like the apple, one of the natural laxatives of the osmotic type. This food should be essential for everyone thanks to its excellent nutritional values, among which a content of 16 grams of fiber per 100 grams of prunes stands out. 

The recommended dose is between 4 and 6 plums a day, which we can also put in water throughout the night. In addition, it is important to note that those that include bone preserve their nutrients better.

When consuming these non-irritating natural laxatives, don’t forget to drink enough water throughout the day, as fiber absorbs water from our digestive tract. Failure to do so could even make constipation worse.