Hot Water & Lemon for Constipation

Constipation is one of the most common and troublesome ailments of the digestive system. Constipation may be caused by inadequate dietary fiber, inadequate water intake or underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Treating constipation can be achieved through the use of hot lemon water taken orally or rectally in the form of an enema.

Oral Administration

• Drink one cup of warm lemon water each day. Lemons are rich in citric acid, which helps to stimulate digestion and eliminate years of buildup of toxic substances in the colon. Squeeze the juice of two lemons in an 8-ounce glass of water. Heat the lemon water in a cup in the microwave for one minute. Sip the lemon water slowly to help you tolerate the sour taste of the lemon.

Rectal Administration

• Using hot lemon juice rectally in the form of an enema helps to eliminate the buildup of hardened fecal matter and toxins in the colon. Use the juice from two large lemons combined with warm to hot water to fill a 2-quart enema bag. Lubricate the enema applicator tip with a water-soluble lubricant such as KY Gel or Astroglide. Insert the tip into the rectum to deliver the lemon and water solution. Retain the solution for up to five minutes before expelling the solution and fecal matter in the commode.

Soften

• Drinking warm lemon water softens stool that has become hardened and difficult to pass because of inadequate hydration. Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning with breakfast helps to soften stool from meals eaten the day before. Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning with breakfast also helps to ensure proper digestion so that the waste generated from breakfast can be easily passed through the digestive system after all the nutrients have been absorbed from the food eaten for breakfast.

Bulking Agent

• Adding bulk to the stool prevents the stool from becoming dried in the colon and rectum before a bowel movement. Lemons are an excellent source of dietary fiber. The fiber found in lemon water along with the water itself promotes bulking of the stool, which moves the stool along the digestive tract and out of the body through the rectum during a bowel movement.

Considerations

• Stool must be bulky and hydrated.

  Drinking warm lemon water is a natural remedy for constipation. Natural remedies for constipation can be far more beneficial to the system than harsh chemical laxatives, which only relieve constipation, whereas warm lemon water regulates the system to prevent constipation. Warm lemon water for constipation may also be beneficial for women who suffer from constipation during pregnancy because of the lack of side effects of chemical laxatives such as bisacodyl, glycerin and sodium phosphates.