The first step to solving constipation is a scientific diet: dietary therapy and medicinal cuisine for constipation.

51. The first step to solving constipation is a scientific diet.

Constipation is not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of certain diseases. The meaning of constipation varies from patient to patient. The most common symptom of constipation is a significant decrease in bowel movement frequency, often occurring only once every two or three days or even longer, with irregular bowel movements, hard stools, and frequent difficulty in defecation.

Middle-aged men often experience high work pressure, irregular lifestyles, and uncontrolled eating habits, which can easily lead to constipation, and this condition can worsen, causing considerable distress for many men.

Recipes for treating constipation

(1) Sesame porridge

Ingredients: 100g of japonica rice, appropriate amount of black sesame seeds.

Instructions: Wash and dry the black sesame seeds, roast them until cooked, and grind them into powder. Take 30 grams each time and cook them with 100 grams of japonica rice into porridge.

Efficacy: Regular consumption yields noticeable results.

(2) Rabbit meat stew with Astragalus and Polygonatum

Ingredients: 30 grams each of Polygonatum odoratum and Astragalus membranaceus, and an appropriate amount of rabbit meat.

Instructions: Boil in water until cooked, season with salt and serve.

Efficacy: It has an excellent effect on constipation caused by qi deficiency.

(3) Honey and sugarcane juice

Ingredients: 1 cup each of sugarcane juice and honey.

Instructions: Mix sugarcane juice and honey well, and drink on an empty stomach every morning and evening.

Efficacy: It has a significant effect on constipation caused by heat.

(4) Sesame and walnut powder

Ingredients: Equal parts walnuts and black sesame seeds.

Instructions: Roast walnuts and black sesame seeds until cooked, grind them into a fine powder, and place them in a bottle. Take 30 grams once a day, add an appropriate amount of honey, and mix with warm water before drinking.

Efficacy: It has a very good effect on constipation caused by yang deficiency.

(5) Polygonum multiflorum and red date porridge

Ingredients: 10 red dates, 30g of Polygonum multiflorum, 60g of japonica rice, and rock sugar to taste.

Instructions: First, decoct the Polygonum multiflorum in water to obtain the medicinal juice, then cook it together with japonica rice and red dates into porridge. Add a little rock sugar to the porridge and let it dissolve before eating.

Efficacy: It has a good therapeutic effect on blood deficiency and constipation.

(6) Astragalus and Bamboo Shoot Soup

Ingredients: 15-30g Codonopsis pilosula, 10-20g Astragalus membranaceus, 15-30g Polygonatum odoratum, 12-24g black sesame seeds (wrapped in cloth), 100-150g bamboo shoots, 5g dried tangerine peel.

Instructions: Mix the above-mentioned herbs and simmer them in water to make a soup.

Efficacy: Suitable for constipation caused by insufficient body fluids and qi deficiency with dry stools.

(7) Snow fungus and jujube soup

Ingredients: 15 jujubes, 10 grams of snow fungus, and rock sugar to taste.

Instructions: Steam for about 1 hour before serving.

Efficacy: Suitable for those suffering from dizziness, palpitations, constipation, and pale complexion.

Medicinal diets that help treat constipation

(1) Modified Shaogan Decoction

Ingredients: 15g of immature bitter orange, 20g of raw licorice root, and 30g of raw white peony root.

Instructions: Add 2 bowls of water and simmer until reduced to about half a bowl. Take 1 dose daily, which can be divided into 2 servings.

Efficacy: This medicinal diet has an excellent therapeutic effect on constipation.

(2) Atractylodes macrocephala powder

Ingredients: Appropriate amount of raw Atractylodes macrocephala.

Instructions: Grind raw Atractylodes macrocephala into a very fine powder. Take 10 grams of the powder three times a day.

Efficacy: This medicinal diet is very effective for constipation caused by deficiency. Generally, bowel movements can return to normal after 3 to 5 days of use. Once bowel movements are normal, you can stop taking it. If you want to prevent constipation, take it for 2 days a week.

(3) Plantain seed

Ingredients: 30 grams of plantain seeds.

Instructions: Boil plantain seeds in water to make 150 ml of decoction. Take it three times a day before meals. Constipation can usually be completely cured in about a month.

Efficacy: This medicinal diet not only has an excellent therapeutic effect on constipation, but also lowers blood pressure, especially for patients with both constipation and high blood pressure. Additionally, it also has an excellent therapeutic effect on constipation caused by diabetes.

(4) Forsythia

Ingredients: 15-30 grams of Forsythia suspensa.

Instructions: Boil and drink as tea, once a day. Continue for two weeks to generally achieve good results.

Efficacy: This formula is especially suitable for constipation after trauma (paraplegia, lumbar fracture, craniocerebral injury), postoperative constipation, habitual constipation, constipation due to hypertension, constipation due to cancer, and constipation due to cerebrovascular disease.

While diet is undoubtedly the most important factor in relieving constipation, regular exercise and a good mood are also crucial and can both play a significant role in prevention. Regular exercise promotes intestinal peristalsis and accelerates bowel movements, while a good mood can indirectly speed up the body's metabolism; both of these factors contribute to preventing and treating constipation.