Digestion
Constipation
Infrequent, hard or difficult bowel movements.
⚡ Quick & easy version · 2 min
Warm Honey Water
Only a few things you probably already have at home.
You need
- ◆Honey
- ◆Warm water
Steps
- Stir a spoon of honey in a glass of warm water.
- Drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
Black Sesame Porridge
You need
- ◆2 tbsp ground black sesame
- ◆60 g rice
- ◆Honey
How to make it
- 1
Cook rice porridge.
- 2
Stir in sesame and honey.
- 3
Eat in the morning.
Helpful herbs
The TCM view
Heat drying the intestines, or blood/yin deficiency (dry) or Qi deficiency (no push). Classic: Ma Zi Ren Wan.
Food tips
Eat / do
- Sweet potato
- Pear, banana, prunes
- Plenty of warm water
Avoid
- Too much spicy, fried food
- Sitting all day
Sources
- Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Eastland Press)
- Scheid, Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies (Eastland Press)
- NCCIH – Herbs at a Glance (US National Institutes of Health)
- NCCIH – Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
- Memorial Sloan Kettering – About Herbs database (interactions & safety)
- Thuisarts.nl – Dutch GP advice (when to see a doctor)
⚠ Safety
- Sudden change in bowel habits after 50 or blood in stool: see a doctor.
- Not a replacement for medical care. Ask a doctor before use if pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.