Excellent Ways to use Olive Oil for Constipation

Not many of us are too fond of talking about issues like constipation to a third person. Some of us even refrain from seeing a doctor until the problem becomes too severe to handle.

While this is not something that is generally encouraged (you need to see the doctor about the problem if it persists or worsens), there are several home remedies to treat constipation and its side effects in individuals who suffer from the condition.

And one such remedy that regularly features at the top of the list is olive oil for constipation.

That’s right! You will be surprised to note that olive oil is often recommended as a very effective way to treat mild to severe cases of constipation. How you ask? Read on to find out more!

What is Constipation? What causes it?

Constipation is referred to the condition where the movement of the stools through the bowels becomes slow and hardened.

The average human adult has at least a few bowel movements every week.

However, constipation can lead to an individual experiencing hard and rather painful bowel movements that are irregular and occur maybe once or twice a week.

So what causes constipation in the first place? There are many reasons for one to suffer from constipation.

One of the main reasons happens to be a diet that is low in fiber and water.

Lack of proper, regular exercise can also be considered a reason while certain medications can cause the bowels movements to slow down.

Then there are other reasons like health complications pertaining to conditions like digestive disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and colon cancer, etc. which can cause constipation in individuals.

Treating Constipation with Olive Oil: The Facts

When you think of using  oil for constipation, the first oil that comes to the mind is olive oil.

It has manifold benefits on the digestive system, helping treat a number of digestive disorders including constipation effectively.

Here are some facts that will reiterate the same fact.

• Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that improve the speed of the bowel evacuation.
• It contains high levels of Vitamins E and K as well as Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants that boost the overall health of the digestive tract.
• It helps stimulate the gallbladder to release more bile needed for the digestion of fats. In addition to this, it helps stimulate the production of digestive enzymes which also help in improving digestion.
• It strengthens the colon’s mucus lining which may get weak or worn down due to constipation. In addition to this, it also helps stimulate muscle contractions in the large intestine which help to soften the stools, making their passage through the colon easier.
• Olive oil as a laxative offers proper lubrication in the bowel while offering the necessary level of moisture for the stools to soften as they move through the colon.
• It is known to remain stable even in very acidic environments such as the one caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria which can cause cancer and stomach ulcers (constipation is a common symptom of these diseases).
• The liver is responsible for the adequate production of bile in the body. Olive oil prevents the after effects of oxidative stress from affecting the liver, thus ensuring that bile production remains normal and adequate enough for proper digestion.

Olive Oil for Constipation – Evidence to support the facts

There is ample evidence to prove that olive oil can in fact be used to cure constipation effectively. A research conducted by a Spanish team of scientists cemented the same fact in 2006.

The study that was published by the team surveyed over 414 individuals who were over 50 years old and were living in a particular province in Spain.

The study revealed that over 97.7% of the participants took olive oil regularly to combat constipation while only a mere 2.7% turned to laxatives for the same purpose.

The facts were further augmented by another study that was published in 2007.

Originally conducted to study patients suffering from chronic kidney disease, the study established the fact that participants who took extra virgin olive oil experienced a significant improvement in bowel movements.

These studies have proved to a certain extent that olive oil for constipation is indeed a tried and tested method to cure the condition, as was recommended by elders way before our time.

How to Treat Constipation with Olive Oil using Simple DIY Remedies

Now that you have a fair understanding of how olive oil actually works to relieve you of your constipation woes, here are some ways in which you can use it to treat the condition effectively.

Method I: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is perhaps one of the simplest remedies involving oils for constipation. It doesn’t require any effort on your part as well.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.

What you need to do:

• Swallow a tablespoon full of extra virgin olive oil the moment you wake up in the morning.
• Do the same before hitting the bed at night. Repeat this remedy for a week or so until the constipation is cured completely.

Note: If you forget to take olive oil on an empty stomach in the morning, take it only after an hour or so after eating your breakfast.

Method II: Olive Oil Massage

If you don’t like the taste of olive oil, you can try using it in the form of a massage instead.

When absorbed by the skin, the olive oil will reduce the pain and discomfort caused by hard stools while lubricating the digestive system to pass the stools easily.

What you need:

• Olive Oil – 4 to 5 drops

What you need to do:

• Pour the olive oil on your stomach (near the navel) and massage it nicely into the skin using gentle, circular motions.
• Continue massaging the area for about 5 minutes until the skin absorbs the oil completely.
• Do this massage at least an hour or so before trying to pass stools every day for desirable results. 

Method III: Olive Oil and Orange Juice

Some of us hate the feel of olive oil oozing down our throat, especially on an empty stomach in the morning. If you do so to, then try using the oil with orange juice.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Orange Juice – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Mix the olive oil into the orange juice and gulp down the concoction on an empty stomach in the mornings.
• Repeat this remedy once every day until you get relief from constipation and its symptoms.

Note: Don’t add too much olive oil to the juice. And opt for freshly squeezed orange juice without any additives or preservatives.

Method IV: Olive Oil and Coffee

Love having your morning cup of coffee? Try adding some more laxative properties to it by adding some olive oil to it.

You will be amazed with the way your colon gets cleansed within an hour or so after drinking this concoction.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Steaming Hot Coffee – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Add the olive oil to the coffee and stir nicely.
• Drink the mix every morning on an empty stomach. This will help remove all signs of constipation while making your stools soft and moist enough to pass through the colon undisturbed.

Note: It is best recommended that you drink the coffee as hot as possible. Cold coffee would have little effect on your digestive tract.

{ Also Read: Mineral Oil for Constipation}

Method V: Olive Oil and Fibrous Fruits

Olive oil and constipation is a sure shot remedy that will help soften your stools within a week. You can also combine the remedy with fibrous fruits to aid in the digestion process.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Fibrous fruits (apples or oranges)

What you need to do:

• Swallow a tablespoon of the olive oil on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Follow it with an apple or orange to stimulate the intestinal tract.
• Eat some more apples and oranges in the evening. Continue this remedy every day until your bowel movements are regularized.

Method V (b): Olive Oil and Fibrous Fruits

Here is another way to use a combination of olive oil and fibrous fruits to treat constipation effectively.

You can follow this remedy on a daily basis as well until the condition is cured completely. You can also use Apple cider vinegar for constipation treatment

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Apple – 1
• Pear – 1
• Peach – 1
• Raspberries – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Clean the fruits in water and cut them into small pieces (do not remove the skin).
• Add all the fruits to a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and mix nicely to make a fruit salad.
• Eat 2 cups of this salad every morning to get rid of constipation within a week or so.

Method VI: Olive Oil and Banana

Although we have mentioned the use of olive oil with fibrous fruits, the following two remedies using specific fruits banana are recommended for quick relief from constipation and its symptoms.

Contains high levels of potassium as well which can aid in boosting the overall health of the digestive tract in addition to treating constipation.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Banana – 1

What you need to do:

• Peel the banana and slice it into thin pieces.
• Drizzle the olive oil over it and mix nicely.
• Eat this banana – olive oil salad thrice a day for effective results.

Method VII: Olive Oil and Pineapple

Like banana, pineapple is another fruit that is considered a very effective natural cure for constipation.

Consuming it with olive oil will further stimulate the production of natural enzymes which provide the necessary olive oil laxative effect to treat constipation effectively.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tsp.
• Cut Pineapple Pieces (small size) – 1 cup
• Salt – A pinch

What you need to do:

• Add the olive oil to the pineapple pieces and mix nicely.
• Add the salt to the mix as well and combine nicely.
• Eat a few pieces of this mix at regular intervals throughout the day to improve digestion and reduce constipation.
• Repeat for a week or two until the constipation is cured completely.

Method VIII: Olive Oil and Vegetables

Why leave vegetables alone when searching for olive oil constipation remedies?

Combining olive oil with fibrous vegetables will not only soften the stools to a great extent, but will also help provide your body with the necessary nutrients it needs on a daily basis.

Here is a paste using olive oil you can make to use on your vegetable dishes on a daily basis.

What you need:

• Curcuma – 2 to 3 tsp.
• Olive Oil –1 tsp.
• Black Pepper – A pinch
• Garlic – 1 clove

What you need to do:

• Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl until you get a nice, thick paste.
• Store the paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Add 1 teaspoon of this paste to all of your vegetable dishes. You can also add the paste to meats and poultry on a regular basis. This will help protect your liver and digestive tract from unwanted anomalies while ensuring that your stools become soft enough to be passed out easily.

{ Also Read: Interesting Ways To Use Prune Juice For Constipation}

Method IX: Olive Oil and Lemon

You can choose to add a little bit of fresh lemon juice to the olive oil before swallowing it. In addition to enhancing the taste of the concoction, the lemon will take care of any bacteria that may be living in your intestinal tract.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Lemon Juice – 1 tsp.

What you need to do:

• Mix the lemon juice and the olive oil. Consume the same first thing in the morning every day.
• Follow the same remedy until your constipation woes are taken care of for good.

{ Also Read: Remedies Using Epsom Salt for Constipation}

Method X: Olive Oil and Milk

Drinking something warm in the morning can effectively help cure constipation. If you drink a glass of milk regularly, consider combining it with some olive oil for better results.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tsp.
• Warm Milk – 1 glass

What you need to do:

• Add the olive oil to the milk and stir nicely.
• Gulp down the concoction first thing in the morning. You can also choose to drink a glass of the same before sleeping at night to prevent the colon from drying up overnight.
• Do this every day until the constipation is cured and its symptoms reduce considerably.

{ Also Read: How to Get Rid of Stomach Ache}

Method XI: Olive Oil and Yogurt

In case your constipation issues are caused by bacteria in the gut, fighting it off with some good bacteria would seem to be an ideal option.

Yogurt is loaded with good bacteria that not only get rid of the bad bacteria inhabiting your gut, but also strengthens the mucus linin in the colon, thus reducing the severity of constipation and its symptoms in the process.

What you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 1 tbsp.
• Yogurt – 1 cup

What you need to do:

• Add the olive oil to the yogurt and mix nicely.
• Consume the yogurt at least thrice a day before meals to keep your intestinal tract free of bad bacteria causing the constipation as well as your digestive tract healthy and lubricated.

Method XII: Olive Oil Enema

If nothing seems to work out, your last resort may be olive oil enema which of course, needs to be given under the strict supervision of a qualified health professional.

A Safe enema solution containing olive oil is pumped into the colon to help soften the stools and regularize the bowel movements. This is how you go about doing it.

What you need:

• Olive Oil – 2 tbsp.
• Warm Water – 1.5 l
• Enema Pump

What you need to do:

• Mix the olive oil in the warm water and pour the solution into the enema pump.
• Under the guidance of a health professional, pump this solution into your colon via the anus.
• Wait for about 10 minutes or so. This time will be enough for the enema solution to do its work.

Note: It is not recommended to use this remedy on a daily basis. Enema needs to be given only in cases of very severe constipation.

Side Effects of Using Olive Oil for Constipation

In spite of numerous studies backing the benefits of constipation olive oil, there have been some reports of olive oil possibly having side effects on the system with prolonged use.

Accordingly, some of the side effects and risk factors associated with using olive oil to treat constipation include the following.

Olive oil is said to contain a lot of calories (there are nearly 120 calories in just 1 tbsp. of olive oil).

Hence, there are strong chances for you to put on weight if you continue to use olive oil for constipation without keeping your calorie count in check.

While small doses of olive oil is tolerable, consuming large amounts of the oil will have the reverse effect on your body.

It is imperative that you stick to the standard dosages mentioned in these remedies.

Otherwise, the natural laxative properties of the oil will go into play and cause diarrhea.

Individuals with diabetes and other chronic conditions will need to talk to their doctor before trying to use olive oil for constipation. Chances are regular usage of olive oil will lead to a drop in blood sugar levels.

Some of us tend to give olive oil to babies in case the latter have a hard time passing stools. This should never be done unless the doctor gives the go ahead. Consuming olive oil can lead to non-stop diarrhea in babies.

{ Also Read: Home Remedies for Stomach Gas}

Other Home Remedies You Can Try Out

In addition to olive oil, there are many other tried and tested home remedies for constipation.

Some of these include honey, cayenne pepper, basil, fenugreek, coconut oil, flax seeds, papaya, lemon juice, molasses, Aloe Vera, Epsom salts, baking powder, prune juice and dandelion tea.

You can consider speaking to the doctor before trying out these remedies as well. However, ensure to not use them with olive oil as it may then lead to very loose stools.

Tips to Prevent Constipation in the Future

Olive oil is definitely one of the best cures for constipation. However, it does not provide the only solution to the problem.

In order to ensure that its effects remain long term in the body, you will need to follow a few general health tips as well. Let’s take a look at some of these.

Use only Extra Virgin Olive Oil for all Home Remedies: It is considered best to use extra virgin olive oil for all the home remedies mentioned above.

Extra virgin olive oil is more beneficial as it contains all the vitamins and antioxidants needed to treat constipation effectively.

Eat Fiber Rich Diet: A diet low in fiber can lead to hard stools. Add more fibrous fruits and green leafy vegetables to your regular diet. Foods rich in Vitamin C are also known to cure constipation and its symptoms effectively. So ensure to include these to your regular diet as well.

Use Olive Oil in Cooking: Another way to incorporate olive oil into your daily diet is to add it to all the dishes that you cook, including salads, marinades and even curries.

Adding just a few drops of olive oil to these dishes is more than enough to ensure that your bowel movements remain regular.

Drink Plenty of Water: It is essential that you drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Lack of moisture in the stools can harden them, causing severe constipation in the long run.

So keep drinking water at regular intervals throughout the day. Follow this up with fruit and vegetable juices, ensuring that you drink at least 3 glasses of either every day.

You can also eat a lot of watery fruits and vegetables to keep your body hydrated and your stools moist.

Stop Eating Foods that cause Constipation: You will need to cut down on eating foods and consuming drinks that actually cause constipation or worsen the condition.

Foods that contain high levels of fats are a strict no-no while foods containing refined sugars and artificial additives also need to be avoided.

And if you are dealing with severe constipation, it is high time you said goodbye to processed foods and sugary drinks.

Deal with Obesity: Obesity is one of the leading causes for constipation. If you are overweight for your age and height, consider reducing weight to get rid of constipation and its symptoms once and for all.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol: Alcohol can dehydrate the body and worsen constipation. So avoid drinking until the problem is cured.

Exercise Regularly: Lack of physical exercise leads to a sedentary lifestyle which can worsen your constipation troubles. Make sure you do some form of mild exercises every day to promote regular and healthy bowel movements.

Squat in the Toilet: It may sound funny but studies have revealed that squatting over a toilet can help the stools pass through the colon more easily.

Squatting is considered as the natural position our bodies adopt when passing stools. So the next time you have issues emptying your bowel, try squatting over the toilet and see if it works in your favor.

Schedule Bowel Movements: Believe it or not, but our body follows a timetable of its own. If you want it to play by your rules though, you will have to make it listen to you.

One way to do that when it comes to curing constipation is to schedule your bowel movements. Try visiting the bathroom to empty your bowels at a particular tie every day.

With time, your body will adapt to this timing and trigger the bowels to pass the stools at the same time every day.

Change Medications that may cause Constipation: If you notice the symptoms of constipation occurring after consuming a new medication, talk to your doctor about alternatives for the same.

A lower dose of the same medication at times can also alleviate constipation and its symptoms.

Summary

Olive oil remains as one of the best known home remedies for constipation. If you continually suffer from the condition and its symptoms including pain, bloating and gas, consider trying olive oil to alleviate the same.

If however, you don’t find any respite from constipation even after using olive oil as well as other home remedies, consider consulting a doctor to find out if there are any other underlying medical reasons for the problem.