Natural prune is an effective and tasty medicine that has long been used to combat constipation. It perfectly eliminates this problem in both adults and children. Prunes are used for constipation because it greatly improves the digestion process. Dried fruit heals the body, because it contains many useful substances. It is an excellent alternative to traditional drugs, which are far from always possible for pregnant women and children.
Causes of constipation and diagnosis of the disease
There are a number of reasons that cause this disease, starting with a disorder of intestinal motility due to food intoxication, ending with serious pathologies, including tumors in the colon. The frequent occurrence of constipation is a serious reason for going to the doctor and finding out what actually causes defecation disorders.
Diagnosis includes a medical history, elucidation of the characteristics of nutrition and lifestyle. Even at this stage, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment. Therapy is based on the stimulation of motility of the large intestine. This effect can be achieved using a decoction of prunes from constipation and other dried fruit products. The proven effectiveness of this method in combination with a high level of safety allows it to be used for mild forms of violation of defecation, not burdened by organic causes.
Prune Composition
The effectiveness of prunes from constipation is explained by its rich chemical composition, including a huge amount of simple and complex carbohydrates, a high fiber content. In addition, prunes contain trace elements (magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium), organic acids, vitamins of groups C, B, A, tannins and pectin.
Beneficial features
The benefits and harms of prunes are well studied today, so not only traditional healers, but also representatives of traditional medicine recommend using this method of treatment. The effectiveness of its use is associated with the complex effect of the product on the intestinal wall. It increases the amount of secreted bile and bile acids, which accelerates the peristalsis of the colon and enhances the secretion of fluid in the lumen of the organ.
Fiber contained in dried fruit attracts water, thereby softening feces and stimulating bowel movements. A large number of sugars has a beneficial effect on the microflora of the colon, normalizing its activity, and beneficial bacteria in the organ maintain the necessary level of functioning and do not allow impaired motility.
Even if constipation does not bother you, include prunes in your diet. You will notice how your condition improves thanks to pectin, plant fiber and organic acids in the composition of dried fruit. The beneficial properties of prunes include:
- suppression of the multiplication of pathogenic microbes: E. coli and Salmonella;
- beneficial effects on kidney function, stabilization of water-salt metabolism;
- steamed prunes increases working capacity and normalizes blood pressure;
- is a prophylactic against oncological neoplasms;
- rejuvenates the body;
- improves overall health, cleanses the intestines from toxins and toxins;
- helps to lose weight.
Dried fruit selection
To make prune from constipation effective, choosing a dried fruit, a number of factors should be taken into account. It seems quite difficult to determine its quality: it was treated with chemical solutions or not, how it was stored, whether vitamins remained in the product. To eliminate constipation, the following properties of prunes are important:
- quality;
- where and when was produced;
- packaging;
- smell;
- appearance.
Ideally, the product should be black and not brown, taste sweet with a slight acidity, should not be bitter. If after thirty minutes of soaking the water darkens, then this is a natural product.
Shiny dark gray dried plum fruits suggest that they were processed with glycerin to improve presentation. Before drying, brown fruits were scalded with boiling water to speed up the process - they will be bitter. The maximum amount of nutrients preserves prunes with bone.
A popular salad of beets and prunes effectively eliminates the delay in bowel movements, so take a note of it to ensure optimal functioning of the internal organs. In addition to the laxative effect, a mixture of beets and prunes carries out complex antibacterial cleansing of the body, as well as energizes.
Contraindications
The benefits and harms of prunes are very closely intertwined. In order not to cross the red line, you need to know about the existing medical contraindications that limit its use. These include:
- diabetes mellitus or other forms of impaired carbohydrate metabolism;
- breastfeeding (up to 3-5 months) since the active components of prunes can enter the baby through the mother’s milk;
- gallstone disease - in this case there is a risk of blockage of the biliary tract;
- urolithiasis - stimulation of smooth muscle tissue activity can provoke a sharp shift of stones and blockage of the ureters;
- an allergic reaction to the product or its individual intolerance;
- age - at least 3 months.
If the patient has these contraindications, then it is better to refuse the use of prunes due to the increased risk of side effects, as well as exacerbation of existing diseases.
Application
Many are interested in how to use prunes for constipation. To begin with, you should choose a quality product (how to do this, we described above), since the result of treatment depends on this. How to consume prunes for constipation? There are many recipes. Some people prefer to use dried fruit without subjecting it to heat treatment, others consider decoctions, infusions and stewed fruit to be more effective. There is no big difference between these methods, you should choose the method that is most suitable for you.
Popular recipes: steamed prunes
This method relates to quick relief for prolonged chronic constipation. Prunes for constipation in adults in a steamed form are no less effective than decoctions and infusions. To do this, pour a handful of fruits in a cup for 15 minutes with boiling water and close it with a lid. After the specified time, it is necessary to drain the water and squeeze dried fruits in gauze, but without effort.
How much should you eat prunes for constipation? All steamed berries must be consumed immediately (4-10 pcs.), And then washed down with a decoction prepared in advance. Reception for the night of steamed dried fruits, almost 100% guarantees a painless bowel movement in the morning.
Infusion
Prune from constipation is effective in the form of infusion. To do this, you need to pour 100 grams of dried fruit into 250 ml of hot water, close the container with berries tightly, and then wrap in a thick towel. After an hour, you should drink a decoction and eat the berries that remained at the bottom.
This recipe should take into account one nuance - all the time the medicine is infused, the berries must remain warm - the cold drink loses its healing properties, so if it cools too quickly, instead of the prescribed 60 minutes of steaming, you can limit yourself to only 30.
Decoction
Grind one hundred grams of prunes with a knife or other method convenient for you and mix with the same amount of oatmeal. Pour the mixture in a volume of 200 ml of water and place the container on low heat. The composition must be boiled for about 20 minutes.
How to use prune for constipation in the form of a decoction? It must be taken four times a day, 250 ml. After the last meal (in the evening) you can eat berries.
Prunes and Senna
Prunes from constipation can be prepared with hay (grass) for a greater effect. To do this, 100 grams of fruit chopped in any way should be mixed with 50 grams of senna and pour the mixture with half a liter of boiling water. Next, the infusion should be tightly closed and left for two hours.
After preparing the product, it should be taken in an amount of 50 grams every 60 minutes until defecation occurs.
Dried fruit mix
Many traditional healers say that a mixture of dried apricots and prunes helps with constipation . Such a tool is easy to prepare. Thoroughly washed fruits twist together in a meat grinder or chop until a homogeneous mass is obtained with a blender. Add some natural honey to it and put the mass in the refrigerator.
Take the product in the evenings, one tablespoon. This tool has a beneficial effect on the motility of the colon.
Kefir and prunes
Prune from constipation is especially effective in combination with some sour-milk product, for example, with kefir. You should know that in this case you can use only fresh product, giving preference to the option with a low percentage of fat content.
Wash ten fruits of prunes and scald with boiling water, remove the seeds. Then grind them to a homogeneous mass and mix with a glass of kefir. Such a medicine should be taken two to three hours before a night's sleep.
Dried fruits compote
Prune compote is used as a laxative if dried apricots are added to it. Such a drink is prepared according to the principle of infusion: a handful of dried fruit is poured with boiling water and brought to the desired state within half an hour. Then the liquid should be drunk and eat dried fruits.
There is an alternative way of cooking - compote from prunes and dried apricots are cooked in the traditional way, like from any other fruit. Sugar is not added in this case.
Prunes for constipation in children
To get rid of the unpleasant problem of the baby, it is necessary to approach the issue selectively. As a rule, preference is given to dried fruit puree or compote, since these products have a pleasant taste and most children like it. To treat constipation in children with prunes, it is important to choose the most suitable form, which does not cause discomfort in the baby.
Children usually reject decoctions and infusions from prunes due to an unpleasant taste. With constipation, a mild laxative effect, as well as immunostimulating and vitamin properties, has compote based on prunes. It can be given to children during intestinal disorders of a non-infectious nature, with colds. For cooking, you will need 100 grams of dried apricots and prunes, water (two liters), honey (to taste).
Pour dried fruit over water and bring to a boil over low heat. After boiling, the compote is cooked for another twenty minutes. When the drink has cooled, it is necessary to add honey to it. Such stewed fruit is not recommended to be stored for a long time, since sediment of suspended particles may appear at the bottom. A therapeutic drink can be given to children over one year old.
Is it possible to give prunes to infants from constipation?
As a complementary food, prunes are prescribed for babies after six months. Accordingly, for the treatment of this product, you can start to use from this age. But there are exceptions: babies who are breast-fed at the age of 3-5 months experience digestive problems. In this case, after consultation with the pediatrician, they begin to give the child a prune compote, starting with ½ teaspoon. If no negative reactions appear, the dose is gradually increased. Up to three months, the use of prune-based drugs is not recommended.
Other recipes
Shredded steamed prunes should be added:
- in yogurt;
- homemade cakes;
- fruit salads;
- cocktails.
An excellent dessert for adults and children over a year old is nuts with prunes. They are poured with honey and insisted for a day. Prunes and honey are a great combination for treating constipation at home. Moreover, the vitamin complex, which is contained in prunes, strengthens the immune system in the cold season and improves the general condition.
Use of dried fruits during pregnancy
The use of prunes as a laxative for constipation in pregnant women should be very careful and only after consulting a doctor. Although in some cases it is the methods of traditional healers that help in the treatment of women in this position.
The fact is that many medicines are prohibited for use during pregnancy. It should be noted that you need to consume prunes in a limited amount (not more than 10 fruits). The same can be said about decoctions of them. If the norms specified in the recipes are exceeded, undesirable complications may occur.
So, does prune help with constipation in pregnant women? Yes, but you should be aware that when using this method, senna grass in the dosage prescribed by the doctor should be added to the infusion. Drink drink an hour before breakfast, which will ensure normal stool during the day.
Benefits of Prune Treatment
The advantages of prunes as an assistant in the fight against constipation are as follows:
- pleasant aroma and taste;
- preservation of useful properties in dried form;
- a large amount of fiber;
- effective normalization of the digestive tract;
- unlike traditional medicines, it does not affect human performance;
- allowed to use during lactation and pregnancy.
Do not forget, before using this method of treatment, you should consult your doctor and take into account all the contraindications that are available.
A few words in conclusion
Any violation of bowel movements and constipation, in the first place, bring discomfort to a person at any age. Medicines and traditional medicine help to solve this problem. How much should prunes be eaten per day? The optimal number of fruits for the normalization of bowel movements is considered to be from 4 to 10 pieces, depending on body weight and age of the person.