Digestive Upsets

Constipation is usually due to a deficient diet, not enough water and a lack of excercise. Long periods of time sitting on public transport, the stress of new places, missed meals and not enough liquids while travelling will quickly result in a bout of "being bunged up". Here are a few suggestions to redress the balance.

Drinking a sufficient amount of water is one of the easiest things you can do to keep things moving. One of the worst places for not being able to access affordable water seems to be after the security check in airports and on the plane itself where they tend to limit you to small plastic beakers which they hand out infrequently. Invest in a stainless steel water canister. Carry it through airport checks empty and find the water fountain near your gate to fill up.

Increasing your intake of bulk laxatives such as fruit and grain will always help - simply eating an apple will be a preventative measure.

Psyllium seed husks (Plantago spp.Ger-Flohsamenschalen, Fr-plantain des Indes ou psyliium,Sp-llantén indio) will balance bowel function moving gently through the gut to maintain regularity- A teaspoon in water or sprinkled in live yoghurt every day will ensure healthy peristalsis.

If in India or Pakistan (available in healthfood stores in other parts of the world too) ask for Triphala - a combination of three fruits - Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), which among other health benefits, will help tone the intestinal tract. Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa) (see A Natural First Aid Kit post) is my general tonic to maintain digestive functioning.

Try any of the warming "curry" herbs to give the digestive juices a boost: A pinch of Cayenne pepper (SP-pimienta roja, Ger-Cayennepfeffer, Fr- piment de Cayenne, hindu/urdu- Pisi hui lal murch )
and a pinch of Cinnamon (Bengali - darcheeli, Arabic- quefa, Sp- Canela, Fr_Cannelle, Ger- Zimt))-in 2 cups of water simmered for 20 minutes and drunk with a tablespoon of honey when cooled will really help to tone the bowel. Take a small glass of it every hour or so.

Reflexology for Constipation.

On the face, the small hollow on the chin, below the lower lip is called Chengjiang. Press this point gently for 7 to 8 minutes.

Yoga for constipation

Apanasana

Lie on the floor.

Exhale and bring your knees to your chest.
Inhale and take hold of your shins with your hands (if this bothers the knee place hands behind the knee)
Exhale pull your knees gently towards your chest
Inhale releasing the pull of your arms but keeping your hands on your shins

Repeat this series rhythmically, pulling and relaxing steadily for 12 breaths or longer if you feel this beneficial.