Many people today are not aware of the importance of regular stool elimination. However, the best diet is of no use if the waste produced during digestion is not properly removed and leads to re-intoxication of the body.

Digestion is not the same as bowel movements

Digestion is the process of breaking down and breaking down complex foods in the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion begins in the mouth, which requires good chewing and salivating. In the stomach and small intestine, the food is broken down mechanically and chemically until molecules of a certain size are formed that can be transported through the walls of the small intestine. In the small intestine, an exchange of substances takes place, vital substances are introduced into the body through the intestinal wall, waste substances return to the intestine. Liquid is extracted from the very liquid contents of the small intestine in the large intestine, so that compact stool is produced by the end of the large intestine. So digestion takes place between the mouth and the small intestine, the stool is prepared by the large intestine and excreted by the rectum.

What is normal bowel movement?

In Ayurveda, normal bowel movement is considered to be the effortless evacuation of compactly formed stool 1-2 times a day. Anyone who cannot empty stool at least once a day is suffering from constipation from an Ayurvedic point of view. If one empties unformed stool or has bowel movements more than 2 times a day, this is considered diarrhoea in Ayurveda.

Large intestine - seat of Vata

The Vata Dosha is the rhythm generator of our mind-body system. Stress, irregular lifestyle and vata-increasing food and drink cause vata to accumulate in the abdomen, where it leads to tension in the lower abdominal organs. The suppression of natural needs is considered particularly vata-disturbing in Ayurvedic texts. This includes suppressing or postponing the urge to defecate, urinate, feel tired, hungry and thirsty. So the more we forget to listen to and act on these impulses of the body, the more we are at risk of suffering from permanent disorders of Vata such as constipation.

Tips for constipation

So, daily bowel movements should be an absolutely desirable health goal for everyone. The Ayurvedic texts describe in drastic terms that constipation is an underlying condition that can be a precursor to many other physical and psychological disorders. Therefore, it is imperative for health-conscious people to make conscientious efforts to have formed bowel movements daily. Here are some tips to make these efforts successful.

Put an end to constipation!

10 tips for regular bowel movements

1. Ensure relaxation: regular meditation and sufficient sleep are the most important measures to keep Vata in balance and thus also to relax the colon.
2. Daily yoga asanas, preferably right after getting up and doing your morning toilet.
3. Walk or jog lightly for 30 minutes daily. Pay attention to nasal breathing! Doing sports with mouth breathing contributes more to tension than relaxation.
4. Drink enough fluids! Start the day with a glass of water or lukewarm honey-lemon water (1 tsp each of good honey and fresh lemon juice to 200 ml of water at body temperature). Drink a total of 2 l of water or unsweetened herbal or spiced tea throughout the day.
5. Regular meals support regular bowel activity. Make sure that lunch is your main meal and that you do not eat your evening meal too late, preferably before 19:00.
6. Healthy fats are among the most important nutrients for a healthy intestinal lining. Make sure to add 1 tablespoon of one of the following fats to your food at each meal: Ghee (clarified butter), virgin coconut oil, olive oil, linseed oil or hep oil.
7. The Ayurvedic Rasayana Triphala MA505 supports the natural detoxification of the body without habituation effect. Regularly take 1-2 tablets of MA505 Triphala daily before sleeping.
8. For stubborn constipation, you should also take 1-3 teaspoons of ground psyllium or linseed daily. You can either add these grains to your food or take them with Triphala MA505 and some water before sleeping.
9. A gentle abdominal massage with the flat of the hand clockwise around the navel can get the bowel emptying going. Use Vata massage oil for this. This abdominal massage is best performed for about 5 minutes after dinner or before sleeping. After the massage, apply a moist warm cloth and a hot thermophore to the abdomen for 20 minutes to support the effect of the massage.
10. Regular detoxification and purification frees the intestines from old burdens and leads to better and better intestinal function. Purify royally with a Panchakarma cure, take part in one of our webinars or start a herbal detox cure at home at any time. According to Ayurveda, purification twice a year is a must for every health-conscious person!