Constipation is usually associated with vata imbalance. Vata dosha rules the large intestine. It makes sense, then, that when vata dosha becomes aggravated, it imparts a cold, dry, hard edge to the colon. Without some warmth and moisture, it becomes difficult to move waste out of the body.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Constipation and Slow Bowels

When constipation occurs, it’s time to take measures to bring vata back into balance. Here are some simple suggestions that can be done on a daily basis:

• Favor foods that are heavier, oilier, warmer, more grounding. A hearty beef stew or vegetable lasagna comes to mind as something that would be very effective at settling vata. Forget the Grape Nuts — have warm oatmeal. (And throw in some slivered almonds to increase the fat content. You need the extra oiliness to create lubrication in the digestive tract.) You get the idea.
• Do a daily self-massage with warm oil. A few tablespoons rubbed into the skin before you hop into the shower will moisten dry skin and will help you to feel more grounded throughout the day.
• Meditate. When vata gets out of balance we generally experience worry, anxiety, and a restless mind. Allowing the mind to become more still and quiet will do wonders for your digestion.
• Drink ginger tea. Cut thick slices of fresh ginger root, steep in boiling water and sip all day long. Within a day or two this will really make a difference in your digestion, heating your body from the inside out. Ginger is one of those rare herbs that brings balance to all three doshas.
• If you like to do yoga, gear your practice toward poses that are introspective, mindful and restful. Slow down and do restorative postures. This will help relax the body (and internal organs), relax the mind, and put you into a calm, serene state that gives the body some freedom to find its way back to homeostasis.

Additional Comments

What are you worrying about? Chronic worry, tension and anxiety creates an energetic “holding on” in the physical bodies of some people, especially those who are naturally abundant in vata-type energy. If you’re bracing yourself for some inevitable event, there’s no way you can have a bowel movement –- you’re too pent up!

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how you can best deal with uncomfortable situations. There’s no magic cure or way to do this. What works for your friends or your spouse may or may not work for you. It’s good to talk to the people around you to find out what they do when their minds start racing and they can’t let go. This will give you ideas on where to start. But we all respond to different things. Expect to work on this your entire life, and enjoy discovering the combinations of techniques that work for you as you grow and change.