Constipation affects almost every person at some point in their life. Being constipated leads to severe cramps in the stomach, uneasiness, flatulence and in some cases it is the cause of insomnia. When you are constipated your bowels do not move and this becomes the cause of hardened stools.

There are several over the counter medicines that you may use to give you some comfort from this condition; however these medications lead to possible side effects like nausea, stomach cramps and blood discharge. It is best to use home remedies to soften the stools.

In order to soften the stools daily you need to eat a healthy diet. This means you are eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables along with a lot of fiber rich foods. Eating bananas daily is extremely effective in getting the bowels moving regularly. You must avoid refined foods and those that are high in carbohydrates; instead you must base your diet on protein rich foods, whole grain and cereals and brown bread.

Mineral oil is a natural laxative and it is considered to be an effective but temporary measure to fight constipation. Have a spoon of the oil at night. It will take 6 to 8 hours to process and soften the stools. In the morning you will not have an issue with eliminating the waste from the body.

Drinking barley water is also an effective way to prevent and cure constipation. It is known to give immediate relief and hence if you must drink approximately 200 ml of the water. If you do not have a bowel movement within 3 hours then you must have another glass.

The compounds in Aloe Vera juice are also known to be effective in the elimination of the waste from the body. You must drink half a cup of the juice in the morning before breakfast and half a cup at night before you go to bed. The juice will ensure that you have regular bowel movements and that you do not have an issue eliminating waste from your body.