Poop talk

For many of us, to talk about defecation is a taboo. People feel very uncomfortable discussing it. But Ayurveda gives a lot of importance to the topic. You will find your Ayurvedic doctor having a poop talk with you all the time.

Why?

Getting normal defecation in the morning makes the perfect beginning of a cheerful day. One feels energetic, clear headed and nicely hungry for the breakfast after a successful visit to the toilet in the morning.

Constipation may lead to gas, bloating, acidity, nausea, lack of appetite, heaviness, unclear head, headache, piles, fissure, worms, etc.

What is normal?

Any waste product gives complete information about the production line. Similarly in our body, the stools can tell how the digestion and absorption is working. When digestive fire works well the food is digested completely, bowel movement is regular. The body is then able to effectively digest and absorb the nutrients to turn them into energy.

In normal case, person can go to the toilet first thing in the morning without the help of stimulants like coffee or tea. Going to the toilet regularly, once or twice a day without help is very normal.

Like a ripe banana?!

The normal consistency of the stools is like a ripe banana( or you may call it sausage if you like that better) that is not too hard and not too soft and is well formed. Normal stools have longer pieces. There is not much presence of gas and there is no need to use pressure to pass the stools. Person feels light and satisfied when he can evacuate completely.

What is not normal?

Going to the toilet at irregular times, skipping days, getting hard stools or small pieces like goat droppings, or going to the toilet too frequently and getting very soft, unformed stools, mushy stools both are considered abnormal. Not being able to evacuate completely, having unsatisfactory feeling and going again and again to the toilet is also abnormal.

Presence of undigested food like pieces of vegetables or fruits, seeds or mucus, blood, parasites, small or big worms, etc in the stools are some other signs of abnormal functioning of digestive system.

Cramping pain before or after going to the toilet, bloating, gas, feeling heavy or sleepy after the meal, burning sensation, burping, nausea, rumbling sounds in the intestines, diarrhoea, heaviness in the abdomen, burning-itching-pain in the anus, piles, fissure, etc are signs of abnormal function of the digestive system.

What can help?

Regularity of mealtimes, healthy diet according to the body type and season, balance between diet, rest and exercise and enough sleep helps in getting normal defecation.

Balanced meals with small amounts of oil or ghee in it are very important. Dry foods lead to constipation. Heavy or untimely meals make more toxin (Ama) in the body. People with digestive problems and constipation should consume cooked, warm, soft, moist, juicy, semisolid foods cooked with oil or ghee and spies. Regular use of ginger, fennel seeds, cumin, black pepper, curry leaves, asafoetida, carom seeds(Ajwain), etc in cooking helps in digestion.

Drinking enough amount of water, cooked and warm water is also important.

Liver plays an important role in the process of digestion. In chronic cases of constipation health of liver should be maintained. Liver cleansing might be necessary in some cases.

Cleansing the intestines with the help of fasting, mono diet fasting, detox herbs, digestive herbs, panchakarma methods, purgation, enemas, etc help in elimination of old toxins, boosting digestive fire and reviving the health of the system.

For some people, digestion and intestine issues are connected to the stress. Peaceful mind plays important role in easy evacuation of the waste.

Tips for constipation:

Creating a habit of going to the toilet early morning before breakfast, right from an early age is very important.

Squatting system of toilet (Indian toilet) helps in easy defecation. In modern toilet, taking a small stool under the feet to elevate the level of feet helps.

Regular practice of Malasana , Vajrasana, Pavan muktasana , Balasana, various twists and triangles is helpful. Kapalbhati, Bhasrika pranayama and Agnisar kriya are very helpful in treating chronic digestive issues.

Soaked or cooked raisins, prunes, apricots or figs taken early morning is good for people having constipation.

1 teaspoon ghee or olive oil mixed with a cup of warm water or warm milk taken at bedtime is simple but effective remedy for constipation.

Haritaki, Senna, Aaragvadh, Danti, Nishottar, Kampilla, Triphala churna, Avipattikar churna, Swadishta virechan churna, Chincha-lavan oil, Ganadharvahastadi kashayam, Gandharva Haritaki, Castor oil are some remedies used for constipation.  

Each case of constipation is different than the other. Self-medication could complicate the things further. Proper diagnosis to find out the reason behind problems, working with good dietary and internal herb advice by experienced Ayurvedic doctor can effectively resolve the intestine and constipation problems.