Megan Rand

Tag: home remedies

  • Tools for Reducing Constipation

    Tools for Reducing Constipation

     

    As with so many symptoms that many of us experience on a daily basis, constipation is extremely common, but that does not mean that it is normal!!  Constipation is a sign that there is a deeper underlying imbalance in the body. Keeping things moving daily through the digestive tract is extremely important for our health. When waste is not removed from the body consistently we start to reabsorb the toxins, by-products and hormones.

     

    Why work to hard to support your detoxification pathways and balance your hormones if you are just going to be reabsorbing the waste you were trying to get rid of? 

     

    There can be many different causes  for constipation from a candida or bacterial overgrowth such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), thyroid issues to food sensitivities and more.  Every person is unique and the trigger or reason can be different as well.

     

    If constipation is a consistent problem for you, I suggest that you start investigating with some health detective work.  Start with the basics such as drinking adequate water, getting daily movement or exercise and removing the processed foods out of your diet.  Next up I suggest a basic elimination diet if you haven’t already completed one.  You will be amazed how one food that you eat daily could be the cause of your slow digestion.

     

    Finding the underlying imbalance is an important, but in the meantime here are some tips.

    Tips To Relieve Constipation:

    • Drink plenty of water and start your day with warm lemon water or Lemon Water Elixir.
    • Avoid processed foods and foods that you are sensitive to. Although this is an obvious one, sometimes we tend to forget how much our daily meals can contribute to this problem.  I have had multiple clients who find that their constipation disapears after removing a food that were sensitive to.
    • Add a good quality probiotic . By doing so, you are taking huge steps towards colon health and good bowel movements.
    • Fermented foods and cultured drinks work well. By adding fermented foods to each meal, you add vital bacteria to your gut as well as detoxify the colon.
    • Digestive enzymes help break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. If there are chronic digestive issues, you can add an enzyme or consume the Lemon Water Elixir 20 minutes before a meal to enhance your natural digestive enzymes.
    • Make sure to chew your food!! Don’t forget, digestion starts in the mouth (well actually the brain).
    • Add 1 ounce of aloe vera to your green juice or lemon water daily.
    • Mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 10 ounces of water.
    • Magnesium is wonderful too. Rub the bottom of your feet with magnesium oil  or you can take in the supplement for such as with magnesium citrate. Follow the directions on the bottle.
    • Vitamin C is awesome for increasing bowel movements. I suggest you follow the instructions on the bottle. I consume 2000 mg per day with bioflavonoids
    • Walk briskly for 30 minutes daily.
    • Try 4 prunes soaked in warm water.
    • Try the squatty potty and make sure you are doing your daily squats.
    • Triphala is a great supplement you can find at your local health food store or buy online. Follow as directed on the bottle.

     

    Here are lots of ideas to get started with but you have to promise me that you will dig for the underlying cause.  If you have covered the basics and are still stuck as the reason for your constipation, look for a Functional Doctor in your area or FDN practitioner.

     

    Happy Pooping!

     

  • Virus Fighting Gargle Rinse

    Virus Fighting Gargle Rinse

     

    Last year when I started to feel like I was getting a cold, a friend suggested that I gargle with oregano oil. I was a little skeptical that it would help, but I was willing to give it a try! To my amazement the sore throat never developed into more than a little scratchy feeling. The next day I was completely back to normal because luckily I had caught it right in the beginning!!

     

    The only down side is that when gargling with pretty concentrated oregano oil, if you get a little too zealous it sprays onto your face it can really burn!

     

    Although the oregano oil by itself is one option, Alex at Digprimal.com has an even better recipe to use when you start to get a sore throat or feel run down. Since she works in a hospital it is very important for her to catch and get rid of any viruses that might want to take hold.

     

    {Alex is an anesthesiology resident with a passion for a whole foods and a holistic approach to health.  She’s the co-creator of the Healthy Hormones Group Program which helps women reclaim their adrenal, hormonal, and neurotransmitter balance. She also runs her blog, digprimal.com, which is all about natural living, DIY-ing, and fueling your body with nutrient dense food.  She lives in Chicago with her husband and two adorable (and goofy) cats.}

     

    Check out today’s guest blog post by Alex —>

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    Virus Fighting Gargle Rinse

     

    This recipe is what I reach for when I start to feel any sort of discomfort/scratchy-ness in the back of my throat or when I start to cough.  I do it up to 3 times per day the second I start to feel symptoms and, in my personal experience, it generally helps me from developing the full blown version of whatever was brewing.

     

    Ingredients:

    Steps:

    1.  Place your warm water into a large mug.
    2. Add in your salt and baking soda, then stir until dissolved.
    3. Add in your oregano oil and tea tree oil and mix thoroughly. (The oil will not want to mix with the water so you may have to stir several times throughout the process.)

     

    I use this recipe most often as a gargle but I’ve also had quite a bit of success when I’ve used it in a Neti Pot.

     

    We hope that this helps you out during the long winter months!