How to Treat Constipation Caused by Deficient Heat

Constipation caused by excess heat and dryness

This type of constipation corresponds with Chinese medicine Yin deficiency and Ayurveda excess Vata-Pitta.

In excess heat and dryness constipation, when the Yin is deficient,the stools are small and dry, possibly difficult to defecate. The deficiency of body fluids and moisture of the body tissues results in signs of deficient heat, which further more dries the fluids, creating a vicious cycle of dryness and heat.

This type of constipation requires cool, soothing and nourishing herbs and foods to reduce heat and encourage hydration and lubrication.

Treatment:

Cereals:Wheat in the form of bulgur, semolina and couscous, Pressed Oatmeal or spelt (cooked,not muesli or granola)

Legumes: tofu

Cooked vegetables:sweet potato, pumpkin, chestnut pumpkin, squash, zucchini, fennel, okra, asparagus,tomato, chard

Uncooked raw vegetables:cucumbers, fennel, American lettuce, endive leaves, sunflower sprouts, coriander, garden purslane and sweet cherry tomatoes

Algae: Wakame and Arameh.

Animal food: eggs and white fish, preferably sweet water fish and fish egg

Milk and dairy products: unsalted butter, boiled milk, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream. A sweet yogurt may be appropriate occasionally as well as a little Ice cream

Fruits and fruit juices: banana, mango, fresh figs, grapes, dates, litchi, papaya, strawberry, plum, apricot, peach, lime, pear, soaked raisins

Nuts and seeds: almonds, coconut

Oils and Fats: unsalted butter, ghee, coconut oil, almond spread and avocado

Sweeteners: sugar cane juice, cane sugar, fresh honey, date syrup, maple syrup, uncooked rose petal jam

Spices: fennel seeds, cardamom pods

Beverages:boiled milk before bedtime (cow, organic), almond milk, coconut water

Optional daily menu for this condition:

Drink options following awakening:

1. Almond milk with pinch of cardamom
2. Infusion of rose petals and fennel seeds

7:00 Breakfast:

• Pressed oatmeal porridge or semolina porridge or wheat flour porridge. Cook the porridge in cow / almond / coconut milk, diluted with water as necessary.
• Chapatti / whole wheat bread with cream cheese/cottage cheese/ghee/butter/diluted almond paste, soft boiled egg, cucumber and lettuce salad.
• Smoothie with fruit and coconut milk
• Semolina pancake with banana, dates/raisins and sour cream

10:00 Snack:

• Sliced vegetables or salad, with white/cottage cheese
• Chapatti / whole wheat bread with cream cheese/cottage cheese/ghee/butter/diluted almond paste, soft boiled egg, cucumber and lettuce salad.
• Smoothie with fruit and coconut milk

13:00 Lunch:

1. Vegetarian meal:

• Bulgur / pasta, 50% of the meal
• Steamed or cooked vegetables, 30% of the meal
• Tofu or sour cream, 20% of the meal

or

2. Non vegetarian meal:

• Cooked grain, 50% of the meal
• Salad, 30% of the meal
• White fish, 20% of the meal

Or

Sushi (sticky rice, avocado, egg, nuri sea weed) + light miso soup

16:00 snack:

• Fresh fruits.
• Chapatti or bread with a suitable sweet spread (ghee, date syrup, honey, almond paste, etc.).
• Semolina cake

19:00 Dinner:

• Oatmeal porridge or semolina porridge or wheat flour porridge, cooked in cow / almond milk.
• Vegetable soup, mung and grits and noodles.
• Chapatti or bread with a suitable spread (cream cheese, butter, legume spread, tofu spread), soft boiled eggs.
• Semolina/bulgur and vegetable pie.
• Noodles or spaghetti with vegetable sauce and cream.
• Rice pudding

22:00 before bedtime:

• A glass of almond milk
• A small glass of boiled milk with a little ghee and cardamom