How Ayurvedic treatment healed my constipation – Nikhil Gupta

I remember everything shutting down – my mind, my body, and my gut.

As a 28-year-old, I recall being stressed. All the time. My newly-launched business went bankrupt, it felt like the end of the world. I couldn’t sleep well, eat (remotely) healthy, nor could I keep my mind from spiraling. 

A few months later, my body, too, started telling me that something was wrong. Excessive gases, acidity, relentless headaches, and irregular bowel movements became a part of my routine. The biggest problem was chronic constipation. My digestive system, perfect before my big downfall, wasn’t normal anymore.

I knew that regular bowel movement was a sign of a healthy body. So after observing these symptoms for months, I decided to find remedies for constipation with the help of Ayurveda.

Since Ayurveda is known for holistic healing, I believed it would be better than visiting an allopathic healthcare provider.

What caused the constipation?

The Ayurvedic doctor did a general checkup. The aim was to understand what instigated my bowel movement problem and check the imbalance in my doshas. 

As Ayurveda looks at the root cause of every problem, I was asked questions about my lifestyle, emotional and mental changes, and other physical tendencies.

During this consultation, I realised that my constipation was the effect of unhealthy lifestyle choices and constant stress.

As I researched this, I realised that our gut and brain are linked. In fact, constipation is a result of stress and anxiety, something that I was facing every minute of every day.

When my business suffered, my mind was constantly running, thinking of ways to make ends meet, worrying about the future, and regretting past decisions.

Something else added on to that stress – the pressure of having a child. I wasn’t ready for it but my family and relatives kept following up without caring about my opinion, straining my relationships.

My personal and professional problems grew and I started resorting to unhealthy impulses. I loved food and I would binge on junk, ignoring the bloating that followed. I worked erratically and refused to rest. The result? I was unhappy and so was my body. I was constipated.

The consultant explained how a single change can affect a person’s body, mind and energy. Afterall, they are interdependent. For me, it was financial and family stress that caused physical and mental symptoms. My treatment plan would eradicate all those symptoms.

The beginning of my constipation relief journey with Ayurveda

During the first visit, the Ayurvedic doctor examined my stomach only to find that it had become hard. They recommended colon hydrotherapy, which cleanses the large intestine and flushes out waste from the body. After two weeks, I was asked to visit again for further consultations.

The treatment brought some improvements. Around that time, my business started improving too. Since everything was falling back into place, I didn’t feel the need to go for another consultation. Three years later, the chronic constipation was back. And it was worse than ever.

When I visited the Ayurvedic doctor again to relieve constipation, the story seemed the same, but the circumstances were different. A few months ago, I was duped by my business manager. It wasn’t just a financial loss but a personal one too.

I had trusted him a lot and the shock had left me numb, even broken. I had stopped caring about myself and the world. I turned to food again, this time, indulging in fried and spicy food. I could feel myself shutting down again. 

That’s when severe constipation started. Pain during bowel movement, not being able to pass stool properly, hard stool – the symptoms were so intense that I desperately needed a cure. And I wanted to treat this constipation at the root level.

I was serious about recovery and was willing to do whatever it took. With the Ayurvedic doctor, I mapped out the solutions to relieve constipation fast.

Holistic remedies for constipation

The Ayurvedic doctor offered advice on how I could improve different aspects of my lifestyle that would collectively regulate my bowel movements. 

Integrating Ayurvedic therapies

I started indulging in Ayurvedic treatments that worked on my mental stress and physical tension. 

I went for yearly Panchakarma sessions which involves five steps that balance the doshas and rejuvenate your gut health. I could feel my stomach feeling more free and relieved. 

My favourite was Shirodhara, an oil-pouring therapy that calmed my mind. This treatment also uses medicated oils that kept me relaxed even after the session.

Apart from these, I had Ayurvedic massages that worked on my abdominal muscles and my mind. Every treatment made me feel healthier and better, which helped me build a holistic lifestyle.

Eating well

The Ayurvedic doctor asked me to be more conscious of the quality and quantity of my food. I was advised to eat foods that are high fibre (fruits and vegetables) that had health benefits.

I also cut off outside food and spicy and fried junk that was causing bloating and weight gain. 

Yoga and movement

I added an evening walk to my schedule that helped stimulate my digestive system and led to a healthy weight loss.

Apart from daily exercise, I also practised Vajrasana after meals. It’s one of the most powerful yoga asanas that digests food, increases blood circulation, and reduces anxiety.

One aspect that surprised me the most was Pranayama. It helped me feel more refreshed and energetic. I noticed that I could work more and do more activities with this new-found energy.

Meditation

One of my biggest problems was having a busy mind, and meditation helped me control my thoughts and regain balance in my life. 

I noticed that meditation was helping me stay calm even when I worked. It was strengthening my mental health every day.

Ayurvedic medicines

I was prescribed Ayurvedic medicines for my constipation which improved my gut health and made digestion seamless. With these, I could also keep my symptoms in control to prevent constipation in the future.

Apart from Ayurvedic treatment, I turned to Buddhist teachings that introduced me to spirituality. This brought my lifestyle to a circle because Buddhist learning brought a healthy perspective and Ayurveda offered me the tools to build a healthy day and life.

How I’m doing now…

Today, I work with an Ayurveda School, imparting my skills and knowledge to people around the world. It feels wonderful to share my experiences with others.

I’m grateful to enjoy a seamless gut today. I’ve cured my constipation with mindful lifestyle choices. My well-being has improved and thanks to a holistic healing journey, I see many other differences. 

I’m:

• More disciplined in terms of my routine. I ensure that work, exercise, proper diet, and meditation are a part of my day
• Aware of what works for my body and what doesn’t. For example, I discovered that garlic causes bloating and gas in my body. And I’ve erased that from my food.
• Less materialistic. I don’t chase money anymore. Instead, I’m focused on staying healthy and doing my best at work
• Energetic and proactive.  I have a zest for activities and that makes me thrive and have a better quality of life.

While there are several constipation remedies out there, I chose Ayurveda to heal on a deeper level with natural remedies. And it did more than I expected. It’s not just helping me keep my gut happy, but it’s making me a healthier person, every day.