Waking up unable to clear your bowels can throw off your entire day. A heavy stomach, gas and constant bloating often follow, and many people reach for powders and medicines to find relief. But there's a simple home remedy that uses a handful of kitchen staples to make an oil, which is then massaged onto the soles of the feet at night. Every ingredient needed for it is something you're likely to already have in your kitchen.
What You Need
Making this oil at home is fairly straightforward. You need about 100 millilitres of mustard oil or sesame oil, one medium-sized onion finely chopped, 6 to 7 crushed garlic cloves and a teaspoon of carom seeds (ajwain). Onion, garlic and carom seeds are the three key ingredients in this remedy, and they're cooked together in the oil.
How To Prepare The Oil
Start by heating 100 millilitres of mustard oil or sesame oil gently in a small pan. Once it's warm, add the finely chopped onion, the crushed garlic cloves and the teaspoon of carom seeds. Keep the flame low so everything cooks slowly and evenly. Turn off the heat once the onion and garlic turn a deep brown colour. Be careful not to let the ingredients burn and turn black, as that can reduce the oil's effectiveness. Once the oil has cooled down, strain it and store it in a clean bottle so it's ready whenever you need it.
How To Apply It Correctly
Applying the oil the right way matters just as much as preparing it. About 15 minutes before going to bed, wash both feet with lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly. Take a few drops of the oil in your palm and apply it to the soles of both feet. Using your thumbs and fingers, massage gently for around 5 to 7 minutes. You can apply slightly more pressure to the middle of the soles while massaging, which may help improve the effect. Once done, put on a pair of cotton socks before sleeping, so the oil doesn't rub off onto the bedsheet and stays on the soles through the night.
What Ayurveda And A Doctor Say
According to Dr Mohammed Iqbal, an Ayush Medical Officer, sole massage is referred to in Ayurveda as Padabhyanga, and it's considered a traditional practice for relaxing the body. He says massaging the soles at night can ease foot fatigue and help the body relax. That's the reason many traditional home remedies recommend massaging the feet at night. Anyone dealing with constipation or an inability to clear their bowels in the morning can try this simple, low-cost remedy.
Don't Rely On The Oil Alone
That said, depending entirely on one home remedy to fix constipation isn't the right approach. Drinking enough water through the day is essential, and meals should include fruits, vegetables and fibre-rich foods. Eating a heavy or oily dinner should be avoided. A short daily walk and staying physically active can also help digestion. If constipation happens only occasionally, small changes in diet and daily routine are usually enough to bring relief. But if the problem keeps recurring, it's better to consult a doctor to find out what's actually causing it.
Precautions To Keep In Mind
Do not massage the soles with this oil if there's a wound, cut, burn or fungal infection on the feet. Mustard oil can cause irritation or an allergic reaction on some people's skin, so it's worth applying a small amount first to check how the skin reacts before using it regularly. Most importantly, if constipation has persisted for a long time, if there's severe stomach pain, blood in the stool, or sudden and unexplained weight loss, it's best to contact a doctor right away instead of relying on home remedies.
