Constipation is a disorder that can create discomfort and intense malaise. Occasionally anyone can get constipated, but this is usually a temporary condition with no serious consequences. There are several remedies to combat it, including using English salt (or Epsom salt) as a laxative. English salt is a mixture of different salts, but its main component is magnesium sulfate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the oral use of Epsom salt to treat cases of occasional constipation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using English Salt as a Laxative
Step 1. Buy the appropriate salt
There are many varieties of English salt on the market. Make sure the main ingredient of the chosen product is magnesium sulfate, otherwise don't buy it. The wrong type of salt could poison you.
Try for example CSM brand Epsom salt
Step 2. Heat some water
To start making your laxative blend, heat 180-240ml of water in a small saucepan, using medium heat. Don't allow the water to boil, but make sure it's warmer than room temperature.
It may take a few minutes for the water to reach the desired temperature
Step 3. Add the salt
Reduce the heat to low and pour a teaspoon of Epsom salt into the hot water. Stir until completely dissolved. If the taste of salt water bothers you, add a little lemon juice to make it more palatable.
You could first heat the water in the microwave and then add the salt
Step 4. Drink the laxative mixture
After removing the saucepan from the stove, pour the mixture into a cup and allow it to cool slightly. Wait for it to reach a temperature that allows you to drink it without difficulty, then drink it all in one gulp.
Step 5. Drink it twice a day
This laxative blend can be taken twice a day without any risk. Simply make sure there is at least 4 hours between each intake; you can extend the treatment up to four consecutive days. If after four days you still haven't had any bowel movements or you continue to feel constipated, ask your doctor for advice.
- When taken as a laxative, Epsom salt generally works within 30 minutes to 6 hours. It is therefore important to take it in a situation where you have easy access to the bathroom, thus avoiding unpleasant accidents or inconveniences.
- If you are giving the laxative mixture to a child under the age of 12, cut the recipe in half. Do not give English salt to children under the age of 6. The safety of using English salt as a laxative has not been tested for this age group.
Step 6. Drink plenty of water
When using English salt as a laxative, it is good to increase the consumption of water. The mixture can cause dehydration and so you need to drink more water to stay hydrated and healthy.
Drinking more water can also promote the natural expulsion of stool, so it is doubly beneficial
Part 2 of 3: Knowing when to avoid using English Salt
Step 1. Avoid using Epsom salt if you have certain symptoms
Constipation can be accompanied by other symptoms. If constipation isn't your only ailment, talk to your doctor before using any laxative, including English salt.
Never use Epsom salt as a laxative if you suffer from severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, rectal or stool bleeding, or if you have had unexpected bowel disorders for a period of two or more weeks
Step 2. Do not use English salt if you are already taking certain medications
Some medicines cannot be taken together with Epsom salt. In particular, do not use English salt as a laxative if you are taking antibiotics such as tobramycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin and amicacin.
If you are currently using other medicines, including for example corticosteroids, diuretics, pain relievers, antacids, antidepressants, and medications for the treatment of hypertension, consult your doctor before using English salt as a laxative
Step 3. See your doctor if you have certain conditions such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart arrhythmia, or eating disorders
These pathologies could in fact worsen due to the intake of English salt.
- Similarly, ask your doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Also, before resorting to English salt, see a doctor if you have used another laxative in the past two weeks without getting any benefit.
Part 3 of 3: Constipation
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Constipation is caused by a difficult or annoying transit of stool. The most common symptoms are decreased frequency of bowel movements, smaller than normal stools, difficulty in evacuating them, abdominal pain and swelling.
If constipation becomes chronic or long-term, it could have serious consequences and you should see your doctor
Step 2. Find out what the causes are
Constipation usually results from a diet low in fiber or water, but it can also be due to low physical activity or be the side effect of some medications. Medicines responsible for constipation include: antacids, diuretics, opiate pain relievers and muscle relaxants. It could also be caused by pelvic disorders or it can be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), one form of which is characterized by alternating constipation and dysentery.
- It is important to note and realize that constipation can be a symptom of a large number of serious conditions, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease and some neurological disorders.
- Other causes of constipation can be changes in the daily routine, for example due to a trip or not having enough time to go to the bathroom. These situations can occur when you lead a particularly busy lifestyle or are completely absorbed in being of help to someone, for example a child, partner or an elderly person.
Step 3. Monitor your bowel movements
There are no hard and fast rules about how often to go to the toilet. For many it is normal to have a bowel movement at least once a day, but in this area there are many and different variables regarding the concept of normality. Some people go to the bathroom two or three times a day and this is also perfectly normal. Others shed their bodies every other day and for them it is still normal.
