Patient's question:
My son is two and a half years old this year. It might be inherited from his grandmother's physique, and he is particularly prone to constipation. If he doesn't eat vegetables and fruits one day, he feels very uncomfortable when having a bowel movement, and his buttocks are always very red. So, I wanted to ask if there are any home remedies for children with constipation?Doctor's answer:
Here is the English translation of the provided text, with Chinese characters translated into English and original line breaks preserved:---
1. White Atractylodes Powder for Constipation: Take an appropriate amount of raw Atractylodes macrocephala, grind it into a very fine powder, and take 10 grams of the powder three times daily. This method is highly effective for deficiency-type constipation. Generally, after taking the medicine for 3 to 5 days, bowel movements will return to normal. Once normal, the medicine can be discontinued. Afterward, take the medicine 2 to 3 days per week to maintain normal bowel movements long-term.
2. Modified Peony and Licorice Decoction for Constipation: Take 30 grams of raw Peony root, 20 grams of raw Licorice root, and 15 grams of Bitter Orange. Add 2 bowls of water and decoct until reduced to about half a bowl. Take once daily, divided into two doses. This formula was used to treat 95 cases of constipation caused by various factors, with satisfactory results. This method is particularly suitable for elderly, long-term, and weak adult constipation patients, but should be used with caution in pregnant women.
3. Forsythia for Constipation: Take 15 to 30 grams of Forsythia, decoct, and drink as tea. Take once daily. For children, mix with sugar or rock sugar (better without sugar). Continue for 1 to 2 weeks, then discontinue. This formula is especially suitable for postoperative constipation, constipation in women (during pregnancy, menstruation, or postpartum), constipation after trauma (brain injury, lumbar fracture, paraplegia), constipation with hypertension, habitual constipation, elderly weakness-type constipation, constipation due to cerebrovascular disease, and constipation caused by cancer.
4. Plantain for Constipation: Take 30 grams of Plantain daily, decoct with water to 150 mL, and take three times daily before meals. One week constitutes a course of treatment. Generally, 1 to 4 courses of treatment are sufficient for recovery. Discontinue other medications during treatment. This formula not only treats constipation but also lowers blood pressure, making it particularly suitable for patients with hypertension and constipation. Additionally, using Plantain as the main ingredient to treat diabetic constipation has significant short-term and long-term effects.
5. Kelp for Constipation: Soak 60 grams of Kelp in warm water for a few minutes, then cook it in water. Remove the Kelp when it reaches a suitable temperature, mix in a small amount of ginger and scallion, and add an appropriate amount of salt, vinegar, and soy sauce. Eat the entire serving once daily.
6. Raw Licorice for Constipation: Take 2 grams of raw Licorice, soak with 15 to 20 mL of boiling water, and drink. Take once daily. This method is specifically for infant and toddler constipation and has satisfactory results. Generally, after 7 to 15 days of use, recurrence can be prevented.
7. Ephedra for Constipation: Place 5 pieces of Ephedra in a teacup or bowl, pour about 150 mL of boiling water, and steep for 15 minutes. After the Ephedra expands, drink it in small, frequent sips, and also eat the expanded Ephedra (do not eat the seeds). Generally, bowel movements will become unobstructed after drinking for one day.
8. Dandelion for Constipation: Take 60 to 90 grams of dried or fresh Dandelion, decoct with water to 100 to 200 mL. Boil fresh Dandelion for 20 minutes and dried Dandelion for 30 minutes. Take once daily. For young children who have difficulty swallowing, the dose can be divided. Add an appropriate amount of sugar or honey for flavor.
9. Mulberry for Constipation: Take 50 grams of Mulberry, decoct with 500 mL of water to 250 mL, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar, and take once daily. One day constitutes a course of treatment, with 5 days per course.
10. Senna for Constipation: Take 20 grams of Senna, place it in a teacup, steep with boiling water like tea leaves. After 20 minutes, the water will turn light yellow and emit a fragrance, then it can be drunk. After drinking the liquid, add another cup of boiling water to steep.
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Honey for Constipation in Dietary Therapy:
Formula 1: 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of honey, 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of roasted sesame seeds (black sesame is best), mix with 200 to 300 mL of lukewarm or cool water to form a paste, and take once in the morning and once in the evening. Dr. Hu Xingmeng from the Gao Shibei Town Health Center in Qianjiang City, Hubei Province, used this formula to treat 50 cases of habitual constipation. The fastest response took 2 days, the longest 10 days, with 40 cases improving within 2 to 10 days and 10 cases improving after 10 days. All 50 cases showed good results.
Formula 2: 60 grams of honey, take 30 grams in the morning and evening, mixed with cool boiled water. Suitable for elderly, pregnant, and habitual constipation.
Formula 3: 60 grams of honey and 6 grams of royal jelly, mix well, and take 2 times daily with warm boiled water. Suitable for habitual constipation.
Formula 4: 150 grams of crushed bee pollen, mix with 250 grams of honey to form a paste, take 1 tablespoonful on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. Suitable for habitual constipation.
Formula 5: A moderate amount of honey and white radish, first wash and slice the radish, dip in honey, and eat several times daily. Most suitable for adolescent constipation.
Formula 6: A moderate amount of honey and banana, peel the banana, dip the flesh in honey, and eat several times daily. Most suitable for elderly and habitual constipation.
Formula 7: 30 grams of honey and 30 grams of Forsythia, steep Forsythia in boiling water, add honey, and drink like tea once daily. Suitable for constipation caused by excess heat and dampness.
Formula 8: 30 grams of honey and 6 grams of salt, mix with boiling water and stir well. Take once in the morning and evening. Suitable for weak constipation and those who should avoid strong laxatives, especially elderly and pregnant women.
Formula 9: A moderate amount of sunflower seeds and honey, first crush the sunflower seeds, mix with 1 cup of warm boiled water, add an appropriate amount of honey, and take once in the morning and evening. Good for moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movement.
Formula 10: 30 grams of honey and 100 mL of warm boiled water, mix well to form an enema solution. Use as needed for stubborn constipation.
Formula 11: 250 grams of honey and 30 grams of soap bark, first grind the soap bark into a fine powder, simmer the honey in a sand pot over low heat until concentrated, then add the soap bark powder and cook until it can form pills. Roll into small finger-thick suppositories, about 5 cm long, let cool, and insert into the rectum. Effective for severe constipation.
Formula 12: A moderate amount of honey, 1 stalk of scallion (about finger-thick), wash and dip the scallion in honey, insert it 5 to 6 cm into the rectum, move it in and out 2 to 3 times, then withdraw. Bowel movement will occur within 20 minutes. If no movement occurs, repeat the process 2 to 3 times.
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Foods for Constipation:
Chronic Habitual Constipation:
- Sweet potato: Eating sweet potatoes can treat constipation and make bowel movements easier. This is a common folk remedy. Bencao Qiyuan also records that sweet potatoes "cool blood, invigorate qi, relax the intestines and stomach, and resolve constipation and accumulated toxins." They are especially suitable for chronic constipation.
Alternatively, use 250 grams of fresh sweet potato leaves, stir-fry with oil and salt, eat the entire serving, and take once in the morning and evening on an empty stomach. Suitable for dry, hard stools.
- Sesame: Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movement, suitable for dry intestinal constipation. Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (September 1963) describes a 65-year-old woman with yin deficiency and dryness, suffering from habitual constipation for 5 years (bowel movement every 4 to 5 days), accompanied by dizziness, numbness, bitter taste, and dry throat. Using the ancient Yi Jing formula Sang Ma Wan, with roasted black sesame seeds and winter mulberry leaves in equal parts, mixed with honey into pills, and taking 12 to 15 grams daily for one month, she was cured.
- Eel: Nourishes yin, replenishes blood, and moisturizes the intestines, suitable for weak constipation. Renzhai Zhizhi Fang recommends: "For elderly weakness and severe constipation, take 2 of eel, 3 slices of scallion, and 2 spoonfuls of honey, decoct, remove scallion, dissolve eel and honey, and take warm before meals." This method is also suitable for postpartum weakness and severe constipation.
- Banana: Clears heat, moisturizes the intestines, and detoxifies, suitable for hot-type and habitual dry intestinal constipation. Eat raw banana 2 to 3 times daily, 2 bananas per time.
- Mulberry: Nourishes fluids, moisturizes the intestines, suitable for weak people with dry intestinal constipation and chronic blood deficiency constipation. Use fresh black mulberry juice, 15 mL per time, twice daily.
Alternatively, use 2 kg of fresh mulberry, squeeze juice, add 500 grams of white sugar, dissolve sugar in a small amount of water over low heat, add mulberry juice, and cook into mulberry paste. Take 15 grams per time, twice daily, dissolved in warm water, for one week.
- Sugarcane: Clears heat, generates fluids, and moisturizes the intestines, suitable for hot-type constipation. Mix 1 cup of sugarcane juice and honey, take on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.
- Pine Nut: Suitable for chronic dry intestinal constipation, nourishes fluids, moisturizes the lungs, and promotes bowel movement. Use 30 grams of pine nuts, cook with glutinous rice for porridge, and take in the morning and evening.
Alternatively, use 250 to 500 grams of roasted pine nuts, grind, mix with 500 grams of sugar, add water, and cook into a paste over low heat. Cool and store in a bottle, take 1 tablespoonful on an empty stomach with warm water.
- Walnuts: Suitable for dry, hard stools. Ancient records state: "Walnuts moisten the large intestine and resolve heat constipation." Folk remedies often use 500 grams of walnuts and black sesame seeds, roast, grind, and mix with honey, taking on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. This nourishes the body while treating habitual constipation.
Alternatively, use 30 to 50 grams of walnut meat, cook with glutinous rice for porridge, and take in the morning and evening.
- Chives: Use fresh chives, wash, squeeze 1 cup (30 to 50 mL) of juice, mix with 15 to 20 mL of yellow wine, and pour boiling water. Suitable for constipation.
- Radish: Use fresh white radish, wash, squeeze juice, mix with a small amount of honey, and take on an empty stomach once daily. Ruyi Bencao states: "Radish relaxes the chest, promotes urination and defecation." This is especially suitable for qi-type constipation, where difficulty in defecation leads to abdominal bloating, chest and side fullness.
- Amaranth: Clears heat, promotes urination, and relieves constipation. Folk remedies often stir-fry amaranth to treat severe constipation. Diannan Bencao states: "Amaranth treats urinary and bowel obstruction." Bencao Gangmu also records: "All six types of amaranth benefit the large and small intestines." Habitual constipation patients can also cook amaranth into porridge to eat.
- Spinach: Chronic constipation patients should eat spinach regularly, as it nourishes blood, moisturizes dryness, and promotes bowel movement. Bencao Feiyuan states: "All vegetables can promote intestinal and stomach health, but spinach is the coldest and most slippery." Suxi Ji Yinshi Pian also says: "Spinach opens the chest, promotes intestinal movement, moisturizes dryness, activates blood, and is suitable for constipation and hemorrhoids."
- Potato: Suitable for habitual constipation. As early as Zhongji Yikan (Issue 1, 1954), it was introduced: Wash potatoes, slice, and grind into a paste, then squeeze juice with a cloth. Take half a glass cup on an empty stomach and after lunch. Yang Tianqing reported treating 84 chronic constipation patients with this method, all cured, most within 2 to 4 days, and some within 20 days.
- Taro: Suitable for constipation, rich in starch, vitamins B1, B2, and C, and is an alkaline food. Folk remedies often use taro to prevent and treat constipation.
- Sagittaria: Rich in vitamins B1 and B2, enhances gastrointestinal motility, and is an ideal food for preventing and treating constipation.
- Sea Cucumber: Clears heat, resolves phlegm, dispels accumulation, and moisturizes the intestines, suitable for dry, hard stools. Gufang Xuanzhu recommends: "Sea Cucumber and Water Chestnut Soup" (30 grams of sea cucumber, 4 water chestnuts, decocted and taken) for chronic cough and phlegm, as well as dry stools.
- Honey: Moisturizes dryness and promotes bowel movement, suitable for dry intestinal constipation. Shiyong Jingxiao Duanfang describes: "A 61-year-old man with left-sided paralysis and severe constipation for half a year. Take 180 grams of honey and 30 grams of black sesame seeds, grind, mix, steam, and take twice daily as a snack. After half a month, bowel movements returned to normal, and after 3 months, he could walk, and after 6 months, he fully recovered."
- Lard: Moisturizes dryness and promotes bowel movement. Bencao Gangmu recommends: "Add 100 grams of lard and 100 grams of honey to a porcelain cup, heat to a boil, then cool and mix well. Take 1 tablespoonful twice daily, especially suitable for dry intestinal constipation."
- Angelica: Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation, and is a common gynecological medicine. It also moisturizes dryness and promotes bowel movement, suitable for severe constipation. Use 15 grams of Angelica and 15 grams of raw Polygonum, decoct and drink. Nourishes blood and moisturizes the intestines, especially suitable for blood deficiency and dry intestinal constipation.
- Cistanche: Tonifies the kidneys, enriches essence, moisturizes dryness, and promotes bowel movement, especially suitable for blood depletion and yang deficiency constipation. Yixue Guangbi Zhi recommends: "For elderly blood depletion and severe constipation, use 3 liang of large Cistanche, soak in white wine, remove scales and cut, decoct with 3 bowls of water to 1 bowl, take all at once."
- Senna: Clears the liver, brightens eyes, and promotes bowel movement, suitable for habitual constipation. Roast 500 grams of Senna, take 10 to 15 grams daily, steep in boiling water as tea.
- Pumpkin: Warm in nature, sweet in taste, believed to tonify the middle and invigorate qi. Modern research shows pumpkin is a low-sugar, low-calorie food with rich fiber that promotes bowel movement. Most suitable for constipation, especially middle-aged and elderly weakness.
- Pork: Tonifies deficiency, nourishes yin, enriches blood, and moisturizes dryness. Especially suitable for weak constipation. Suxi Ji Yinshi Pian states it "promotes urination and defecation" and recommends: "Cook pork soup, skim fat, and drink."
- Milk: Neutral in nature, sweet in taste, tonifies deficiency and moisturizes the intestines. Suitable for weak, post-illness, postpartum, or elderly constipation. Diannan Bencao states it "promotes the large intestine," and Bencao Gangmu believes milk "moisturizes the large intestine and is very suitable for elderly porridge."
- Sea Cucumber: A nourishing food that tonifies yin, moisturizes dryness, and enriches blood to promote bowel movement. Yao Xing Kao states: "It lowers fire, nourishes the kidneys, promotes bowel movement, and moisturizes dryness." Recommends: "For dryness due to yin fire, cook sea cucumber, wood ear, and pig large intestine." Thus, it is suitable for dry intestinal constipation, blood deficiency constipation, or elderly weakness constipation.
- Apple:
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