No need to explain what constipation is, we all know what it is 🙂 And sometimes we would all like to get rid of it quickly but it’s not that easy. Constipation can occur at any age or period of life. Stomach aches, bloating, spasms, and slowing of the transit indicate a dysfunction of the digestive tree. Essential oils act at different levels (stomach, liver, intestine, colon) to restore balance. Discover some essential oils useful for constipation.
Constipation: mechanism, symptoms and causes.
Food takes 4 to 5 hours to travel from the stomach to the colon. The residues of digestion take 24 to 48 hours to be evacuated. Stools are normally about 80% water. But when the colon reduces the water content too much, the stool is dry, small and hard, it accumulates and is called constipation. As a result, there is bloating, pain and cramping and a slowing down of the bowel movement. The evacuation of stools is difficult, irregular and delayed. Transit is considered normal when there is an emission of 3 stools per day to 3 stools per week.
The causes
Organic causes:
- Abnormalities of the digestive tree: cancer, annal fissure …
- Extra-digestive abnormalities: endocrine (hormonal changes, hypothyroidism, diabetes), gynaecological (ovarian cysts, pregnancy), general (malnutrition, anorexia)…
Functional causes:
- Occasional constipation: changes in diet and/or lifestyle, imbalance in the intestinal flora, after surgery, temporary psychological difficulties, travel abroad.
- Chronic constipation: often related to prolonged immobility, lack of physical activity or a low-fibre diet.
- Functional colopathy: alternating constipation and diarrhoea with abdominal pain, often accompanied and/or caused by stress.
- Iatrogenic constipation: some drugs have the side effect of slowing down bowel movements.
It is necessary to consult your doctor if :
-the constipation is unusual and persistent,
-it alternates with diarrhoea,
-there is blood in the stools
-there is a history of colon cancer in the family.
ESSENTIAL OILS TO RELIEVE CONSTIPATION
EOs can help when experiencing constipation by acting through their mechanical and secretory properties, at all levels of the digestive tree.
Properties that are highly helpful:
- carminative: evacuation of gas, responsible for abdominal pain.
- stomachic: stimulating the functioning of the stomach.
- aperitive: stimulation of digestive secretions.
- antispasmodics: alleviation of painful spasms of the intestine.
- laxatives: stimulation of digestive secretions to soften stools and facilitate their evacuation.
- psychic, nervous relaxants.
Essential oils to be favoured in case of constipation:
- Tarragon EO: ENHANCES SECRETIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS
Properties: carminative, anti-fermentation, antispasmodic
Stomachic, which promotes the proper functioning of the stomach (thanks to methylchavicol – between 65 and 86%)
Tarragon EO, therefore, prevents food from remaining in the intestine and prevents the creation of parasites.
- Tropical Basil EO: PROMOTES DIGESTION
Properties: stomachic, carminative, anti-fermentative, antispasmodic. Nerve balancer, calms mental hyperactivity
It is also used for stomach pains, hyperacidity and heartburn.
- Ginger EO: PROMOTES INTESTINAL CONTRACTIONS
Properties: aperitive, carminative.
Tonic for the digestive system, it favours the movement of the intestine and the progression of food. It also stimulates, warms and energises
Composition of ginger :
70% sesquiterpenes (and zingiberene): micro-stimulation effect on the digestive glands at the gastric and intestinal levels, which strengthens the digestive capacity
And monoterpenes (tonic action on the digestive system).
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Cardamom EO: PROMOTES THE BREAKDOWN OF FOOD
Properties: carminative, digestive and antispasmodic
Composition of cardamon:
30 to 40% ester (terpenyl acetate): carminative properties that promote the evacuation of intestinal gases by stimulating salivary and gastric secretions. This allows a better degradation and assimilation of food.
Terpenyl acetate has an antispasmodic activity which calms abdominal pain linked to constipation. It also encourages the movements of the smooth muscles surrounding the intestine, which allows the food consumed to be transported from the top of the digestive system to the bottom and then expelled in the form of stools.
- Coriander EO: EVACUATE GAS
Properties: stomachic, carminative, digestive tonic. Both soothing and toning
It helps expel intestinal gas, which promotes digestion and inhibits bloating that can occur and is often linked to constipation.
- Green mandarin EO: LAXATIVE ACTION
Properties: digestive tonic, mild laxative, muscle relaxant. Powerful nervous relaxant and calming
Composition of green mandarin EO:
65 to 80% monoterpene (limonene) is useful for its tonic properties on the digestive tract.
The limonene will support the sesquiterpenes of Ginger essential oil. It also facilitates the expulsion of the stools thanks to its laxative activity.
What to do in case of constipation?
Even if it is unpleasant, occasional constipation is not dangerous for your health.
To improve transit, a few simple measures can be taken:
Tip:
Take a daily supplement of psyllium, a food supplement that restores the balance of the intestinal flora and thus regulates your transit.
Possible complications:
If left untreated, complications can arise, such as haemorrhoids or intestinal obstruction in extreme cases, particularly in the elderly.
Regular use of laxatives is not recommended, as they can lead to intestinal addiction and dependency.
ESSENTIAL OILS RECIPES
Occasional constipation in adults, travellers’ constipation
Used in the first intention, in massage of the belly, EOs will bring real relief. A complimentary oral intake is possible.
*A quick recipe against constipation
Make up the following mixture:
- 6 drops of VO
- 2 drops of Ginger or Tarragon EO.
👉 Massage the belly with this mixture up to 3 times a day.
Instructions for use: Massage the abdomen slowly in a clockwise direction. Additionally, insist on the area of the descending colon (left part of the abdomen). Use 3 to 6 times a day as needed. Occasional use over 2 or 3 days for a return to normal.
Counter-indications: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 3 years old.
Soothe constipation by oral route (following medical advice)
👉 Swallow: Pour one drop of ginger EO into 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and let it melt in the mouth before meals.
In fact, Olive oil will have a gentle and complementary laxative effect and transit should improve within a few days.
Counter-indications: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old.
Chronic constipation in adults
The belly massage with tarragon essential oil (see paragraph above) can be tested 5 days out of 7 for 3 weeks, up to 6 massages per day.
*Synergies of Essential Oils in massage against constipation
To increase the effectiveness it is possible to mix several EOs in massage on the belly.
CONSTIPATED SOS
D. Baudoux
Use: Massage the stomach morning and evening with 5 drops of this mixture diluted with 5 drops of VO. This will help to reinforce the tonic action at the intestinal level.
TRANSIT Regulation
Properties: digestive stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, mild laxative and also relaxing
Indications: adult constipation, slow digestion, bloating, digestive spasms due to stress
- Ginger EO (zingiber officinalis) : 3 ml
- Basil EO (ocimum basilicum): 2 ml
- Coriander EO (Coriandrus sativus) : 1ml
- Mandarin EO (Citrus reticulata) 3ml
- VO 21ml
Directions for use: use the mixture over 5 to 7 days, as needed, following the protocol below. Repeat if necessary.
- Oral use (on medical advice): 4 drops of the mixture, twice a day, before meals
- Cutaneous use: use 10 to 15 drops of the mixture. Then, massage the abdomen slowly in a clockwise direction. Further insist on the area of the descending colon (left part of the abdomen). Repeat 2 times a day, after meals.
Counter-indications: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6 years old,
There is a risk of photosensitisation with Mandarin EO (no exposure to the sun within eight hours of application)
Precaution: ongoing hormonal treatment (‘progesterone-like’ effect of Coriander essential oil)
Child constipation
The regulation of the intestinal transit of the child can also be subject to the hazards of daily life and can be accompanied by belly massages with essential oils (subject to a prior medical diagnosis).
Synergy « Belly massage », from 36 months onwards
Make up the following mixture in a bottle:
- Mandarin EO, Citrus reticulata 1 ml
- Tarragon EO, Artemisia dracunculus 1 ml
- Roman Chamomile EO, Chamemelum nobile 1 ml
- Apricot kernel VO (or any other VO) 7 ml
Directions for use: Take 5 to 6 drops of the mixture in the palm of your hand. Slowly massage the child’s stomach in a clockwise direction. Further insist on the area of the descending colon (left part of the abdomen). Repeat twice a day, for 5 to 7 days.
