Flaxseeds for Constipation

Posted by Kim
February 3, 2020

Nutrition + Daily Self-care

Get your Bowels Moving & Improve your physical & emotional health.

Golden flaxseeds (also known as linseeds) provide a powerhouse of nutrition. They have a subtle nutty, slightly earthy flavour and are a cheap superfood that everyone can include in their diet, sold in many supermarkets. Eaten whole to help with an impacted bowel or constipation, or ground to reap the benefits of the Omega 3’s and other essential fatty acids found in each seed.

Flaxseeds are one of the richest plant sources of omega 3 fats, which are essential for a healthy brain, heart, joints and immune system. Due to the high content of plant chemicals known as phytoestrogens, linseeds have been called nature’s answer to hormone replacement therapy (Guardian.co.uk).

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring forms of the female hormone oestrogen and are found in certain foods. They help to either reduce high levels of oestrogens or to boost low levels. This can have a positive impact on the unpleasant effects of the menopause, such as flushing and night sweats.

There is ongoing research into the benefits of including phytoestrogens in diets aimed at preventing cancer, in particular, colon cancer due to the high-fibre content of flaxseeds.

Flaxseeds for constipation or an impacted bowel must be soaked in water first, overnight. Put 4 teaspoons of seeds into a glass, fill the glass 1/3 full and leave overnight in the fridge. This will make the water quite gloopy due to the release of oils from the seeds.

Add a teaspoon of the swollen seeds each morning to you water, fruit juice or a smoothie. Alternatively, add it to your cereal or yogurt, or drink it on its own. They are a very effective remedy for constipation, but avoid eating the seeds if you have inflammatory bowel problems, such as diverticulitis or Chrons.

In which case, you can simply add the gloop to your water or smoothies and will still gain the milder benefits of its actions, despite not eating the seeds.

Make the seeds in small quantities, regularly, to avoid the seeds going rancid. You will notice this is the case when the gloopy liquid around the seeds starts to become cloudy.

Flaxseeds for Constipation

Doctors in Sheffield seem to be recommending this Linseed Tea for IBS as a natural remedy for chronic sufferers of bowel problems, hooray! However, they are omitting one vital element – soaking the seeds! Without soaking, the seeds may get lodged in the bowel and not pass freely causing cramps in the large colon and have no impact whatsoever on your bowel movement.

Your bowel is a direct reflection of your emotional state. We often hold on to “crap” when we are unable to let go of emotional burdens, in particular, grief. In Chinese medicine, this emotion is directly related to the Lungs and Large Intestine, which is why we may experience constipation, skin problems, bloating and low appetite following a time of loss. Start the process of letting go by assisting your body through this time by including soaked flaxseeds into your daily routine. Allow your body to learn to let go, physically and emotionally!

Recipe

Place 4 tsps of dry golden flaxseeds in a small glass

Add filtered water up to 1/3 full. It must cover all the seeds as they will naturally swell.

Servings: Will provide 4 days supply of seeds
Golden Flaxseeds
Filtered Water
A teaspoon of the soaked flaxseeds a day is ideal. It may be added into your water in the morning, juice, smoothie or sprinkled on your breakfast.

There is no right or wrong time to take the seeds but it is always advantageous to do it the same time each morning to help with your natural cycle of peristalsis (your natural bowel movement).

About Kimberley

Kimberley, Acupuncturist and Clinic Director at Life + Lemons, is a registered TCM (Traditional Chinese Medical) Acupuncturist, passionate about helping women reclaim their feminine edge. After graduating with a First Class Honors in York, she has undertaken specialist training in the area of pain management, natural conception, IVF support, menopause + pelvic pain (endometriosis/dysmenorrhea).

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