You are most likely reading this section because you're seeking a natural laxative. Therefore, you may already know that the commercial chemical laxatives can kill friendly bacteria, can lessen the absorption of nutrients, can stuff up the intestinal walls, can turn users into addicts, can get rid of necessary vitamins and can eventually cause constipation.

Constipation is irregular bowel movement. It can be caused by low fluid intake or a poor diet consisting of mainly refined foods and high fat. Constipation may be either as weak colon muscles or no regularity in bowel movements. You should not take any laxatives to treat your constipation as this forms a habit.

Natural home remedies
The most natural time to move your bowels is within the first few hours of the day. Drinking water on an empty stomach stimulates peristalsis by reflex. So, before breakfast, drink the juice of half a lemon in 1 cup of warm water. While it may help cleanse your system, it may also make you pucker a lot. If you find it hard to drink, sweeten it with honey.

Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day eases constipation. Guava when eaten with seeds provides roughage to diet can give relief from constipation. Add more fruits to the diet prunes pears, grapes, Orange juice & Papaya. Mix 1 cup tomato juice, 1/4 cup carrot juice, and 1/2 cup sauerkraut juice and drink.

New Born Babies or Infants: Stimulates the sphinctors (muscles) in the rectum of the baby by inserting the tip of a thermometer into the babies rectum and slide it back and forth. It really works.

If lemon and water is not for you, eat or drink anyone of the following at room temperature (not chilled).
Prune juice or stewed prunes

Papaya

Two peeled apples

Six to eight dried figs. Soak them overnight in a glass of water. In the morning, drink the water, then eat the figs.

The combination of dried apricots and prunes is said to work wonders. Soak six of each overnight. Next morning, eat three of each. Then, in the late afternoon, an hour or two before dinner, eat the remaining three apricots and three prunes.

Eat at least three raw fruits a day. One of them, preferably an apple, should be eaten two hours after dinner.

Take two small beets, scrub them clean and eat them raw in the morning. You should have a bowel movement about 12 hours later.

Flaxseed is a popular folk treatment for constipation. Take 1 to 2 tablespoons with lots of water right after lunch or dinner.

Sunflower seeds are filled with health-giving properties and have also been known to promote regularity. Eat a handful of shelled, raw, unsalted seeds every day.