Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health by Queen of the Thrones

Why Beet Juice is Good for You and Your Gut Health.

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Christy Howitt B.A.
Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

Est. reading time: 10 minutes.

Beet Juice is the Perfect Castor Oil Pack Companion

So you love your beets, do you? Perhaps it’s because of their soluble fiber that helps you stay quite regular1? Or maybe it’s because your integrative/functional medicine practitioner or health coach suggested that beets help clean your blood and support liver health and metabolism due to their color2?

How exactly do they do this? If you’ve ever wondered..

  • Why drink beet juice instead of eating beets on their own?
  • How is beet juice good for my gut health and my microbiome?
  • Why beet juice is the perfect companion to your Castor Oil Pack practice?
  • A special easy beet juice recipe for liver cleansing and gut health with simple ingredients to maximize all the benefits of beets so you can start balancing your liver detox and your microbiome

The best part? You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard, and you don’t need a fancy juicer or blender.

Easy Right?

So, you might be wondering…

Why drink beet juice instead of eating beets on their own?

First off, all on its own, this hearty, nourishing, dark red root vegetable is an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamin C among many others. It has been suggested eclectically, according to the doctrine of signatures3, to clean the blood because of its red color. And beet juice has a prebiotic-like effect4 which helps to feed your good gut bacteria, supporting better digestion, absorption and elimination.

Plus, beet juice is also known for nitric oxide, which enhances blood circulation5 and increases oxygen levels in the body. BUT, the best thing about nitric oxide is that it can help break down biofilm6 in your gut.

Good and Bad Bacteria in the stomach by Queen of the Thrones

Why does this matter? Well, think of biofilm like how your mouth and teeth feel before you get a good cleaning at the dentist. You see, biofilm is one of the hardest things to take care of when it comes to your microbiome and gut healing. Especially in chronic diseases like Lyme or autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Biofilm is the barrier that bad bacteria creates in a sick environment to protect itself, and doesn’t allow any of our nutrients or any of our prebiotics and probiotics to help regulate and balance the microbiome. You see, at this moment in time, there are very few effective natural biofilm reducers.

The nitric oxide in beet juice is a natural biofilm reducer, similar to Castor Oil7. So, beet juice combined with your daily Queen of the Thrones®️ Castor Oil Pack for Liver practice is your new and easy way to support your microbiome and promote a healthy gut environment.

Alongside nitric oxide, another healthy component in your new beet juice recipe is glycine, an amino acid that supports liver detox as well as reduces anxiety.8

 

So yes, beets are great on their own, but your new beet juice recipe for liver cleansing and gut health includes a powerful mix of ingredients that supercharge all the benefits you get from this superfood (beets!).

So, now you might be asking…

Gluten is a protein commonly found in barley, wheat, and rye.

If you have tried gluten-free cookies, you know they are typically drier and crumble easily.

This is because gluten protein provides the elasticity associated with pasta and baked products.

And these gluten-free products are becoming increasingly popular, as the media has made many believe that this protein is bad for your health. Sound familiar?

But before getting on the gluten-free bandwagon, let’s understand whether it’s really all bad.

How is beet juice good for gut & microbiome health?

Dysbiosis symptoms by Queen of the Thrones

This recipe takes the most well-known and sought-after benefits of beet juice…

  • Betaine for support of good stomach acid production9
  • Glycine for liver detox and calming the nervous system so it can heal
  • Nitric oxide which augments oxygenation, circulation and biofilm breakdown

And synergizes them with the exact right ingredients that not only help with liver detox and gut health but also support mucosal immunity and microbiome balance.

Now that’s beautiful.

 

Why is this essential? Because, where there is gut inflammation or microbiome imbalance (known as dysbiosis), this can cause hormones to become imbalanced in your whole body.

And when hormones are imbalanced, it can cause/disrupt conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome10 (the result of an irritated and compromised gut lining), and the progression of disease; not health. Makes sense, right?

So, how do we allow food to be our medicine once more and not a constant irritant to an inflamed gut lining11? Because as Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut.”

We choose to regularly consume food items like your easy new beet juice recipe, while also supporting this habit with gut health practices like the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver. Yes, it can be that easy, with practice!

You see, both work together so your food can once again nourish your body, instead of insulting it and causing food sensitivities, as it can with an inflamed gut. Sounds amazing, agreed?

Hippocrates Recommends Queen of the Thrones Beet Root Juice

An easy beet juice recipe for gut & microbiome health

Yes, there is! This unique combination of ingredients act synergistically so your body can fully utilize the liver detox and gut health components of beets and work to calm and balance your gut and microbiome.

Your new recipe includes 3 key ingredients, in addition to beets…

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar – a well known probiotic ingredient that supports a healthy microbiome12. Used to support acid-base balance for gut health and liver detox13.
  2. Cayenne Pepper – a stimulating spice that increases butyrate producing probiotics14. Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid that is a potent gut health regulator and reducer of chronic gut inflammation, improving conditions like leaky gut and dysbiosis15.
  3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – the omegas and polyphenol components in this oil are a key aspect of the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet16. It also modulates the microbiome to support the production of short chain fatty acids, key in gut health and mechanisms to revive a Leaky Gut17.
Queen of the Thrones Beet Juice Recipe supports circulation and reduce inflammation

The best part? Plus, when you combine beet juice intake with a daily Queen of the Thrones®️ Castor Oil Pack practice, the result is a powerful anti-inflammatory duo18, one that was developed by a Naturopathic Doctor and is used by many Functional and Integrative Medical Practitioners to support liver detox and gut health.

But how? Well, because the gut health and liver detox beet juice recipe is similar to a gut health supplement and supports your gut by nourishing a leaky gut from the inside out. All of this takes place while the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver balances from the outside in, like yin and yang energy, restoring the body. So amazing, agreed?

Together, both practices promote gut health and relief from the symptoms of Leaky Gut Syndrome so you can feel more energized, balanced and wake up like new each day because you did something for you!

Click here for references

1. Luman W, Ardill JE, Armstrong E, Smith GD, Brett L, Lessells AM, Haynes WG, Gray GA, Mickley EJ, Webb DJ, Palmer KR. Nitric oxide and gall-bladder motor function. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 May;12(5):425-32. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1998.00322.x. PMID: 9663721.

2. Mirmiran P, Houshialsadat Z, Gaeini Z, Bahadoran Z, Azizi F. Functional properties of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) in management of cardio-metabolic diseases. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2020 Jan 7;17:3. doi: 10.1186/s12986-019-0421-0. PMID: 31921325; PMCID: PMC6947971.

3. The Doctrine of Signatures Hospital (Lond 1886). 1909 Apr 24; 46(1184): 108. PMID: 29815714

4. Susanne M Henning 1, Jieping Yang 2, Paul Shao 2, Ru-Po Lee 2, Jianjun Huang 2, Austin Ly 2, Mark Hsu 2, Qing-Yi Lu 2, Gail Thames 2, David Heber 2, Zhaoping Li 2Health benefit of vegetable/fruit juice-based diet: Role of microbiome Sci Rep 2017 May 19;7(1):2167. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-02200-6 PMID: 28526852

5. Zamani H, de Joode MEJR, Hossein IJ, Henckens NFT, Guggeis MA, Berends JE, de Kok TMCM, van Breda SGJ. The benefits and risks of beetroot juice consumption: a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(5):788-804. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1746629. Epub 2020 Apr 15. PMID: 32292042.

6. Nicolas Barraud, Michael J Kelso, Scott A Rice, Staffan Kjelleberg 1 Nitric oxide: a key mediator of biofilm dispersal with applications in infectious diseases Review Curr Pharm Des 2015;21(1):31-42 PMID: 27771922.

7. Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1.Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.PMID: 24789291.

8. Pérez-Torres I, Zuniga-Munoz AM, Guarner-Lans V. Beneficial Effects of the Amino Acid Glycine. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2017;17(1):15-32. doi: 10.2174/1389557516666160609081602. PMID: 27292783.

9. Vuyisa Sigwela 1, Maryna De Wit 1, Alba du Toit 1, Gernot Osthoff 2, Arno Hugo 3 Bioactive Betalain Extracts from Cactus Pear Fruit Pulp, Beetroot Tubers, and Amaranth Leaves Molecules 2021 Aug 18;26(16):5012. doi: 10.3390/molecules26165012. PMID: 34443599.

10. Binienda A, Twardowska A, Makaro A, Salaga M. Dietary Carbohydrates and Lipids in the Pathogenesis of Leaky Gut Syndrome: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Nov 8;21(21):8368. doi: 10.3390/ijms21218368. PMID: 33171587; PMCID: PMC7664638.

11. Witkamp RF, van Norren K. Let thy food be thy medicine….when possible. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Oct 5;836:102-114. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.06.026. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29936236.

12. Neiworth-Petshow EM, Baldwin-Sayre C. Naturopathic Treatment of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in the Setting of Parkinson’s Disease. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018 Aug;17(4):44-50. PMID: 31043910; PMCID: PMC6469461.

13. Quade BN, Parker MD, Occhipinti R. The therapeutic importance of acid-base balance. Biochem Pharmacol. 2021 Jan;183:114278. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114278. Epub 2020 Oct 9. PMID: 33039418; PMCID: PMC7544731.

14. Karunaratne TB, Okereke C, Seamon M, Purohit S, Wakade C, Sharma A. Niacin and Butyrate: Nutraceuticals Targeting Dysbiosis and Intestinal Permeability in Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 23;13(1):28. doi: 10.3390/nu13010028. PMID: 33374784; PMCID: PMC7824468.

15. Mu Q, Kirby J, Reilly CM, Luo XM. Leaky Gut As a Danger Signal for Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol. 2017 May 23;8:598. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00598. PMID: 28588585; PMCID: PMC5440529.

16. Merra G, Noce A, Marrone G, Cintoni M, Tarsitano MG, Capacci A, De Lorenzo A. Influence of Mediterranean Diet on Human Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 22;13(1):7. doi: 10.3390/nu13010007. PMID: 33375042; PMCID: PMC7822000.

17. Baranauskas MN, Coggan AR, Gruber AH, Altherr CA, Raglin JS, Carter SJ. Dietary Nitrate Supplementation and Exercise-Related Performance. Nutr Today. 2020 Sep-Oct;55(5):211-217. doi: 10.1097/nt.0000000000000431. PMID: 34658444; PMCID: PMC8516348.

18. Mascolo N, Izzo AA, Gaginella TS, Capasso F. Relationship between nitric oxide and platelet-activating factor in castor-oil induced mucosal injury in the rat duodenum. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1996 May;353(6):680-4. doi: 10.1007/BF00167187. PMID: 8738301.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

3 Ways Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

3 Ways Castor Oil Packs Support Menopause Symptoms

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Melanie Swackhammer, B.A.
Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams, R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 9 minutes.

I don’t know about you, but the phrase ‘my hormones are out of whack’ came out of my mouth more than I’d like to admit. Growing up, I heard women in my life say this when they were entering menopause, but by the time I was 25, I uttered those words along with them. Can you relate?

Even though I wasn’t actually experiencing menopause, I was experiencing estrogen dominance. I felt disconnected from my own body. As heart-wrenching and stressful as this time was, it was also my saving grace. It was what propelled me to try Castor Oil Packs- the key to balancing my hormones and freedom from:

 • Super irregular periods

 • Trouble sleeping

 • Alternating between constipation and diarrhea

 • Hair growth on my chin and upper lip

 • Hot flashes (power surges, as I like to call them)

Does this sound like you? I’ve been there too, I get it. After several appointments and sleepless nights, I was diagnosed with IBS, PCOS, and Hypothyroid. Looking back, it makes sense because estrogen dominance is always present when the thyroid is low, or vice versa.

My doctor also told me I likely wouldn’t be able to have babies. Up until then I never thought very hard about having babies before; but having it suddenly taken away from me was my wake-up-call to get up close and personal with my health and my hormones.

At that time, I didn’t know that my wake-up-call would begin with the ancient health practice of Castor Oil Packs, but I’m so glad it did.

My friend and hormone balancing fitness expert, Debra Atkinson, CEO of Flipping 50, has a solution for women who are craving movement, just like I was. Her 12-week STRONGER online programs are designed for women in perimenopause, menopause and beyond. 

Similar to the Castor Oil Pack, Debra’s program was made for you and is a gentle approach to support hormone balancing, which is what I love most about it.

How Castor Oil Packs support hormone balancing and estrogen dominance

1. Castor Oil Packs Relieve Constipation.

Our stools are how we naturally eliminate food waste, bacteria, toxins and hormones. However, estrogen dominance is a very common issue for women and can actually cause constipation1. That was me, constipated and overloaded with estrogen.

You see, a healthy balance of progesterone and estrogen are required for smooth-moving bowels. So, it makes sense that too much estrogen makes you constipated2, right?

I truly thought my constipation was unbeatable until I tried the Castor Oil Pack. It’s been shown to gently relieve constipation3 and regulate the bowels through improvement of smooth muscle function of the intestines4.

This is extremely important for estrogen dominance because you must eliminate the excess hormones in order to heal and rebalance.

It’s kind of like a gentle massage for your intestines, but a gentle massage that can support good flow and hormone balancing. Sounds like a dream, don’t you think?

Queen of the Thrones solutions for digestive health

2. Castor Oil Packs support Cleansing and Detox.

Cleansing is like a conveyor belt that keeps the body in flow. So, the conveyor belt must be working well in order to balance the dominance of estrogen.

My conveyor belt most definitely wasn’t working, it was almost like the belt was at a standstill. You see, without the Castor Oil Pack my conveyor belt was all backed up and there was an overload of estrogen that had nowhere to go (except to stay in my body).

 

The liver is pretty much the control system for the conveyor belt, so it has to be functioning well for our hormones to be in harmony with each other. So, my Castor Oil Pack helped restore the flow and was a support to my liver. Isn’t that amazing?

Just like how the Castor Oil gently massages your intestines, it also acts as a gentle repair system for your liver’s cleansing conveyor belt. 

3. Castor Oil Packs Naturally Shift you into a Relaxed State.

The problem in our modern world is that all of us are in a constant state of stress, would you agree?

You see, rest and relaxation takes practice, but the Castor Oil Pack gives your body the chance to practice over and over again.

Take it from me, I didn’t know what it was to feel relaxed. I was so out of practice, but that all changed as soon as I put the pack on my body. This is because the Castor Oil Pack on the skin activates the relaxed, ‘parasympathetic’ state5 and stimulates our feel-good hormones, dopamine6 and oxytocin7.

Oxytocin also lowers stress and balances blood pressure8, leading to healthy levels of progesterone for great bowel movements! You see, the more we’re able to release oxytocin and de-stress, the easier it is for our body to naturally boost progesterone (because progesterone is high when stress hormone levels are low). It’s a fine balance and is what connects regular bowel movements, liver cleansing, and relaxation.

Cleansing and Detox with Queen of The Thrones Castor Oil Packs for better health

For me, shifting into the relaxed state naturally not only made my body know what it is to be in flow, but also created a need to move my body. I started craving exercise, which was a refreshing shift for me since there was a time when I couldn’t even get out of my bed.

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs Naturally Shift you into a Relaxed State

You see, the act of resting and releasing my feel-good hormones with my Castor Oil Pack resulted in my body having the energy it needed to re-introduce gentle movement.

Years ago, when I heard the words ‘estrogen dominance’ it startled me and my natural instinct was to fight it. So, be gentle with yourself if you’re feeling like your hormones are out of whack and know that you’re not alone in feeling this way.

Cleansing and Detox with Queen of The Thrones Castor Oil Packs to support your hormones balance

Kind of like the story of the Sword and the Stone, the key wasn’t to fight with aggression, it was to find a gentle approach so that I could work with my body to rebalance my hormones.

 

Would you love to know how you can support your hormones with Castor Oil Packs? Get your FREE eGuide below with everything you need to know!

Click here for references

1 & 2. Ji-Eun Oh,Yong-Woon Kim,So-Young Park, andJong-Yeon Kim Estrogen Rather Than Progesterone Cause Constipation in Both Female and Male Mice.Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Oct; 17(5): 423–426. Published online 2013 Oct 17. doi:10.4196/kjpp.2013.17.5.423 PMID:24227943

3. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.PMID: 21168117

4. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109 PMID: 22615395

5. Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17.PMID: 12571120

6. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9.PMID: 10208571

7. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19.PMID: 28162847

8. Uvnas-Moberg K1, Petersson M.[Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing]. Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2005;51(1):57-80.PMID: 15834840

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

How to relieve constipation and stress with Castor Oil Packs

How to relieve constipation and stress with Castor Oil Packs

How to relieve constipation and stress with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs

How to relieve constipation and stress with Castor Oil Packs

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro MD (Inactive)
Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A. & Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 7 minutes.

Constipation is stressful, would you agree? Or what about:

  •  Bloating
  •  Gas
  •  Diarrhea
  •  Anxiety
  •  Can’t sleep

Do any of these sound like you?

I’ve been there! I suffered with Irritable Bowel Syndrome for years. Being stressed and constipated was normal for me, until I found relief with the ancient health practice of castor oil packs and the WHY behind it all.

Did you know that if you sleep better, have better digestion, and reduce stress, your health would be drastically different? I didn’t know this then, but now it all makes sense.

The more anxious I was, the less likely I’d be to have a bowel movement. At that time I thought my constipation was a stand alone issue. All I wanted was to feel relaxed and ‘normal’, but it seemed impossible. Have you ever felt this way? It’s not your fault, because bodies often have a mind of their own.

What finally relieved my constipation and stress?

When I actually understood how closely connected my stress and digestion was, I figured out how to give my body the reset it needed so that I could have:

  •  Better stools
  •  Better sleep
  •  Less stress

After years of suffering, castor oil packs opened my eyes to how gut health goes beyond just the gut and that sometimes our bodies need a total reset and that’s ok! Health begins in the gut, which is why castor oil packs are one of the gems for a balanced digestive health.

How did I know I should try a castor oil pack?

For years, I thought I was doing everything ‘right’. Taking the right supplements, seeing a naturopathic doctor, exercising, eating healthy, but still struggling with going to the bathroom. Can you relate? I was so used to being constipated that it became ‘normal’ for me, know what I mean? Be gentle with yourself if you relate.

I hit my lowest point and became so sick that I couldn’t even get out of bed for a week, so I took the leap and made my own castor oil pack after ignoring this suggestion for years.

How does the castor oil pack relieve stress and constipation?

As soon as I put on that Castor Oil Pack I felt what relaxed was supposed to feel like and then I was finally able to have that long awaited bowel movement. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

You see, once my body was in a naturally relaxed state, I was able to naturally eliminate the build up of stools, it felt like a ton of bricks finally being freed from my stomach.

The 2 main ways the castor oil pack restored my gut

My gut was SO tense and contracted. The actual castor oil pack being placed on my abdomen worked with my stress and anxiety instead of fighting against it.

Yes, castor oil packs were 100% transformative for me, but I also needed to understand the 3 keys to gut health (better stools, better sleep and less stress) and how the castor oil pack worked with the 3 keys.

To my amazement, research showed that it supported the 5 fundamental pillars of health that just happen to spell out F-A-I-T-H.

Out of all these wonderful benefits, the ‘F’ and the ’T’ are the most important.

F: Function of the Digestive Tract.
Studies have shown that castor oil packs help to relieve constipation1 and improve the smooth muscle function of the digestive tract, in turn supporting better absorption and elimination.

T: Tension and Stress Reduction.
The soft compression of the pack on the skin stimulates sensory receptors that help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, our ‘rest and digest’ state. The compress promotes production of our feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine2, as well as our love and connection hormone, oxytocin3.

FAITH on Queen of the Thornes Castor Oil products

My castor oil pack gave me back the FAITH that my body could heal and find relief from chronic constipation and a way to naturally relax.

It was kind of like getting a back massage for the first time, my stomach was relaxing and shedding all the food waste that needed to come out. And even better, I was less stressed and I was even sleeping better!

Can’t you just drink castor oil to relieve constipation?

When you actually drink castor oil it’ll make you go to the bathroom, but in a really rough and fast way. With this in mind, it’s an excellent stimulant laxative when taken by mouth but it doesn’t stay in you long enough to put your stomach in a relaxed state and that is one of the most important keys.

My key to freedom from constipation and stress: castor oil packs

You see, tension and stress inhibit our bodies’ natural ability to cleanse, have a bowel movement and relax. Trust me, I’ve been there without my castor oil pack and let me tell you, that’s a story worth reading.

It’s not that I needed my stress to disappear, I needed to have a system to naturally relax and release all the garbage (yes, stools!). 

This is why I want to share this new opportunity with you, an opportunity to get your body into that relaxed state, the way it’s meant to be!

I’m definitely not perfect and still have stress in my life, but I now have a system that pulls me out of the evil cycle all thanks to the castor oil pack.

Reach the freedom of relaxation with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

1. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptorsProc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109PMID: 22615395

2. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9.PMID: 10208571

3. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19.PMID: 28162847

4 Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28162847

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Diastasis Recti and Constipation | Two Common Postpartum Body Challenges

Diastasis Recti and Constipation | Two Common Postpartum Body Challenges

Learn with Queen of the Thrones how Diastasis Recti and Constipation are Two Common Postpartum Body Challenges

Diastasis Recti and Constipation | Two Common Postpartum Body Challenges

Written by: Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach.

Est. reading time: 9 minutes.

There are two things that I will never forget about the early hours after giving birth to my first son Diastasis Recti and Constipation.

I remember how disconnected my upper body felt from my lower body when I got up to go to the bathroom for the first time after my baby entered the world.  I felt like I had to hold myself together.

Queen of the Thrones® explains how constipation cause inflamed belly

There are two things that I will never forget about the early hours after giving birth to my first son Diastasis Recti and Constipation.

I remember how disconnected my upper body felt from my lower body when I got up to go to the bathroom for the first time after my baby entered the world.  I felt like I had to hold myself together.

What was a fairly tight compact part of my body, was now a vacant space with very little tone.  The muscles in my abdominal wall had stretched well beyond their normal, optimal length and the rectus muscles (think 6 pack) had also moved away from their midline position – a condition known as diastasis recti.  

As I sat down to pee, I had a sudden panic attack knowing that at some point I was also going to have to poop! 

The thought of that first bowel movement after giving birth is almost scarier than the birth itself! This fear coupled with other influences I will elaborate on below, can contribute to postpartum constipation.  

Diastasis Recti and constipation are very common and with the right information, can be very well managed and don’t have to be a big deal in the early postpartum period or beyond.  Let’s look first at constipation.

Postpartum Constipation

Once the baby is born, we as parents start to diligently record every feed and every poop our baby makes.  What no one really thinks about is that the new mom would benefit from having someone do the same for her. Nutrition is a key element of postpartum healing and can play a huge role in healing and nourishing the body as well as managing bowel movements therefore reducing the likelihood of constipation.

Labour typically slows down the digestive system, especially if you had an epidural and it can take a few days to get back on track.  Other things that can influence the digestive system in the early weeks postpartum are pain medications, iron supplementation and fear of pooping.

A lot happens in the pelvis and to the vagina, perineum and anus – things like tearing, stitches, tenderness and hemorrhoids.  The thought of anything else passing through can be a bit stressful to say the least. Stress activates the ‘fight or flight’ response which reduces blood flow to the digestive system and can contribute to constipation.

From a Chinese medicine perspective the first system that needs to be addressed in postpartum healing is the digestive system.  The digestive system is responsible for transforming food into blood and energy and if digestion is off, then the body will not benefit from the food consumed and therefore not build the blood and energy needed for healing.

Mother Roasting

It is also believed in Chinese Medicine that the body has ‘opened’ during pregnancy and birth and is therefore susceptible to ‘wind’ or ‘cold’.  New mothers have a 30 day period of “sitting in” where the mother does not go out and is instead served warm soups, stews, and broths that are easy to digest.

Korea has a 100 day period where the mother and child do not leave the home. In Japan, the mother and baby stay at the mother’s parent’s home for some pampering and one-on-one time with the baby. India and African nations include traditions of 10-40 day isolations where additional support is provided including massage, childcare and food preparation.

Other practices from places like Malaysia include belly binding and hot stones on the abdomen to help cleanse it, close it and heal it.

These practices not only allow the body time to recover from the trauma of giving birth but provide a period of mental rest that I firmly believe creates a solid foundation for mom and baby from day one.

According with Queen of the Thrones® the digestive system gets stressed by constipation
Belly wrapping support the pelvis and abdominal wall

The belief of the need to ‘close’ the body is justified.  Diastasis Recti has been shown to happen to 100% of women in the third trimester and the gap between the muscles doesn’t always return to its pre-pregnancy state, nor does the connective tissue naturally regain its supportive tensioning role in the core. The muscles in the pelvic floor have also stretched and in some cases have been cut or torn which can contribute to challenges with core control and continence.

Belly wrapping or belly binding aims to provide temporary compression and support to the pelvis and abdominal wall in the early weeks postpartum when the muscles are temporarily hindered in their ability to contribute to core control.  

The muscles and connective tissue in the abdominal wall and pelvis are key with regards to stability and control in our inner core but so are the bones and joints. In the pelvis, the shape of the bones provides what is called ‘form closure’ while the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue contribute to what is called ‘force closure’. During pregnancy biomechanical changes occur in the body which can reduce the effectiveness of both form and force closure such as;

  • Altered posture and load bearing;
  • Altered muscle length in the pelvic floor and abdomen (both longer and shorter) which results in reduced ability for muscle force production;
  • The role of relaxing and progesterone contribute to joint laxity and when the ligaments are lax it affects the force closure.
  • The abdominal muscles are stretched to allow space for the enlarging uterus, which can lead to loss of muscle tone and strength in the abdominal region and a compromised ability to produce tension in the thoracolumbar fascia, resulting in reduced force closure in the pelvis;
  • Diastasis recti is a distortion in the abdominal wall and can impair the function of the muscles including their role in posture and pelvic stability;
  • The transversus abdominis, multifidus, diaphragm and the pelvic floor are all anticipatory muscles of the core and are required for force closure in the pelvis – all are affected by posture and alignment changes in pregnancy
  • Intra-abdominal pressure – altered mechanics and alignment mean management of intra-abdominal pressure will change

The benfits of Castor Oil include these three main functions:nutrient-rich, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory.

Add a Fascia Massage Roller to these benefitsand you’ve now super boosted these functions.

You see, combining Castor Oil to your Fascia Massage Roller practice helps to massage the tight tissues and adhesions found along energetic pathways that can become blocked by physical or emotional trauma.

And the benefits of this practice are:

  • Breaking down of scar tissue from injury, cesarean section, surgery, and/or endometriosis
  • Fade stretch marks from weight gain or postpartum
  • Fascia release for sore muscles and tight IT bands
  • Lymphatic drainage and circulation
  • Support smoothing out cellulite

Sounds amazing, right?

Intra-Abdominal Pressure

We can’t talk about postpartum recovery and wrapping without talking about intra-abdominal pressure.

Intra-abdominal pressure is defined as the pressure within the abdominal cavity.  It is part of our core stability system.  We need some, but not too much and we need an ability to manage the varying pressures throughout the day. When we take a breath in, the diaphragm descends and there is a compression action on the abdominal contents which acts to stabilize the pelvis and spine.  We can have too much pressure such as a Valsalva maneuverer which is an inhale, then breath hold while bearing down.  This often results in a distended abdomen and can place pressure on the pelvic organs as well.

We can’t talk about postpartum recovery and wrapping without talking about intra-abdominal pressure.

Intra-abdominal pressure is defined as the pressure within the abdominal cavity.  It is part of our core stability system.  We need some, but not too much and we need an ability to manage the varying pressures throughout the day. When we take a breath in, the diaphragm descends and there is a compression action on the abdominal contents which acts to stabilize the pelvis and spine. 

We can have too much pressure such as a Valsalva maneuverer which is an inhale, then breath hold while bearing down.  This often results in a distended abdomen and can place pressure on the pelvic organs as well.

The reverse can also be seen in a technique called “hypopressives” which decreases intra-abdominal pressure and results in a hollowing or concavity of the abdomen.  A reliance on one may result in a compromised ability to manage changes in intra-abdominal pressure such as during lifting or exercise.

Crunches were given a bad rap because they cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure but a study found that activities like standing up from a chair or downward dog pose in yoga actually created equal or greater increases in intra-abdominal pressure which suggests that managing intra-abdominal pressure is more about HOW a person performs a movement or exercise rather than the exercise itself.

Wrapping is often considered to be a practice that increases intra-abdominal pressure and it can when done incorrectly.  Wrapping is ideally done to temporarily contribute to force closure in the pelvis with some gentle hugging of the abdominal wall.

Many mistakenly wrap only the waist and wrap very tightly in hopes that it will help heal the gap between the abdominals (diastasis recti).  Instead it increases intra-abdominal pressure, it interferes with digestion and it restricts optimal breathing patterns which can prevent healing of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor and can also contribute to constipation.

My recommendations for postpartum recovery include principles that support rest and belly wrapping in the early weeks postpartum, core retraining with pelvic floor initiated movements, a balance between hyper and hypopressive exercise and nutrition that is based on the traditional practices of mother roasting to support optimal digestion.

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice in clinic or online with the people you serve or become a wholesale partner: 

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Constipation I Keep Trying to Fix It But It’s Not Working by Queen of the the Thrones

Constipation: I Keep Trying to Fix It, But It’s Not Working!

Written by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive).
Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 16 minutes.

Do you know WHY your bowel movements aren’t what they should be? Let’s find out and see what we can do to fix them.

 

Constipation is an epidemic and it affects so many of the world population. It’s time we take a stand and do something about it.

  • 1. Why Is Constipation Called a Functional Digestive Problem?

    The symptoms of constipation are varied1. A key component of it is functional, meaning you can’t find reasons for it. For instance it could be a mass that is blocking elimination. This is why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to visualize the intestines, dependent on your age. Other times they may try lifestyle changes and treatments first.

  • 2. What are the Symptoms of Being Unable to Have a Good Bowel Movement?

    The most common symptoms are that you are uncomfortable in your abdomen or belly, you feel bloated, you may have gas and you may feel pain as well. You may produce dry pebbles or hard stools. Often you go less than 1 time per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as less than 3 bowel movements per week.

  • 3. How Does it Feel to be Constipated?

    There is a very distinct feeling of constipation. You push and push and may go a little but you feel like not everything came out and it was a lot of hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

  • 4. Why am I Gassy and Bloated When I’m Constipated?

    Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. Hydrogen gas, in fact, is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This, in effect, would help it to move out your poo5.

    Good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?) is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools downward. If the bacteria in your intestines are unhealthy (conbiotics™ as I call them) such as the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

  • 5. How Often Should I Have a Bowel Movement ?

    A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Men seem to go more than women. The statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days and women every 2.5 days7. Ideally in my practice our goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact. You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out. Otherwise there is backup.

    If you want to get more in detail about what your poo says about you, get your free download here

  • 6. Why Do Men Go to the Bathroom More than Women?

    Men have a higher average of bowel movements because let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes I am admitting that. But science shows this too. It has to do with the fact that we have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic to women and have an affect on your bowel movements.

  • 7. How Does my Thyroid Affect my Bowel Movements?

    When you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or a condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common symptom is constipation. Think of a thyroid condition as an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation.

  • 8. Why Do my Estrogen Levels Affect My Bowel Movements?

    If you are carrying extra weight, taking the birth control pill or other estrogen-replacing drugs or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) you have a higher level of estrogen than most.

    Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body. Progesterone is necessary to have healthy bowel movements. When your levels of estrogen are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone to have those healthy bowel movements.

  • 9. Why Can’t I Poo?

    We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
    It has to do with:

    – Your nervous system
    – Your hormonal system
    – Your immune system
    – Your digestive system
    – Inflammation that you have in your body
    – The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
    – The types of bacteria you have in your gut
    – The types of foods you are eating
    – The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
    – How much fluid you are drinking
    – How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
    – How much sleep you are getting
    – How stressed you are
    – How depressed you are
    – How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
    – Your genetics

    And the list goes on and on.

Estrogen Levels may affect your bowel movements according to Queen of the Thrones
  • 1. Why Is Constipation Called a Functional Digestive Problem?

    The symptoms of constipation are varied1. A key component of it is functional, meaning you can’t find reasons for it. For instance it could be a mass that is blocking elimination. This is why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to visualize the intestines, dependent on your age. Other times they may try lifestyle changes and treatments first.

  • 2. What are the Symptoms of Being Unable to Have a Good Bowel Movement?

    The most common symptoms are that you are uncomfortable in your abdomen or belly, you feel bloated, you may have gas and you may feel pain as well. You may produce dry pebbles or hard stools. Often you go less than 1 time per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as less than 3 bowel movements per week.

  • 3. How Does it Feel to be Constipated?

    There is a very distinct feeling of constipation. You push and push and may go a little but you feel like not everything came out and it was a lot of hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

  • 4. Why am I Gassy and Bloated When I’m Constipated?

    Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. Hydrogen gas, in fact, is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This, in effect, would help it to move out your poo5.

    Good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?) is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools downward. If the bacteria in your intestines are unhealthy (conbiotics™ as I call them) such as the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

  • 5. How Often Should I Have a Bowel Movement ?

    A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Men seem to go more than women. The statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days and women every 2.5 days7. Ideally in my practice our goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact. You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out. Otherwise there is backup.

    If you want to get more in detail about what your poo says about you, get your free download here

  • 6. Why Do Men Go to the Bathroom More than Women?

    Men have a higher average of bowel movements because let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes I am admitting that. But science shows this too. It has to do with the fact that we have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic to women and have an affect on your bowel movements.

  • 7. How Does my Thyroid Affect my Bowel Movements?

    When you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or a condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common symptom is constipation. Think of a thyroid condition as an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation.

  • 8. Why Do my Estrogen Levels Affect My Bowel Movements?

    If you are carrying extra weight, taking the birth control pill or other estrogen-replacing drugs or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) you have a higher level of estrogen than most.

    Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body. Progesterone is necessary to have healthy bowel movements. When your levels of estrogen are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone to have those healthy bowel movements.

  • 9. Why Can’t I Poo?

    We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
    It has to do with:

    – Your nervous system
    – Your hormonal system
    – Your immune system
    – Your digestive system
    – Inflammation that you have in your body
    – The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
    – The types of bacteria you have in your gut
    – The types of foods you are eating
    – The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
    – How much fluid you are drinking
    – How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
    – How much sleep you are getting
    – How stressed you are
    – How depressed you are
    – How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
    – Your genetics

    And the list goes on and on.

  • 10. Why is the Digestive System called the Center of Our Body Universe?

    The gut and digestive spot is the center of the universe when it comes to your body. You have health if you have good bowel movements.
    So if you’ve had problems figuring out why you can’t go, it’s because you haven’t hit the nail on the head yet or you have a combination of different factors working against you, causing you to be constipated. You want to be looking at your stools for the clues.

    As you can see it is a HUGE topic!

  • 11. How Often Should I Poop?

    What goes in, must come out. If you ate every second day, then you should poo every second day. But because you eat daily, you really should be having a bowel movement daily. Otherwise, you are constipated.

    Your body is an environment that requires flow. Intake of good stuff, outpour of bad stuff. Think of it like a fish tank. When your fish poops, the tank must clean the water out from time to time or the fish begins to swim in his own filth. You don’t want the cells inside your body to begin to swim in its own filth. This is clearly not healthy.

  • 12. How Come Most of my Friends Don’t Poo Daily?

    The reality is that constipation is reaching epidemic levels. 14% of the world population9, which equals approximately 1 billion people, are constipated. The worst part is that it is a life threatening epidemic, because if you think about it, all natural environments, including your body, need to eliminate waste. If you can’t eliminate waste, the waste back ups and that is bad.

  • 13. The anatomy of the intestines: How much should you poop each day?

    Did you know that your lower descending colon is the length of your wrist to your elbow. This is the amount of food, fiber and fluids that you ate the day before and should be what you eliminate daily. Remember, what goes in, must come out.

    Have you ever thought, “Wow, here I am eating all this food and where is it going? If it’s not coming out of me, where is it?” It’s just sitting there causing problems. Let’s figure out what we can do to make it better!

Improve your bowel movements with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs
  • 1. Why Is Constipation Called a Functional Digestive Problem?

    The symptoms of constipation are varied1. A key component of it is functional, meaning you can’t find reasons for it. For instance it could be a mass that is blocking elimination. This is why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to visualize the intestines, dependent on your age. Other times they may try lifestyle changes and treatments first.

  • 2. What are the Symptoms of Being Unable to Have a Good Bowel Movement?

    The most common symptoms are that you are uncomfortable in your abdomen or belly, you feel bloated, you may have gas and you may feel pain as well. You may produce dry pebbles or hard stools. Often you go less than 1 time per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as less than 3 bowel movements per week.

  • 3. How Does it Feel to be Constipated?

    There is a very distinct feeling of constipation. You push and push and may go a little but you feel like not everything came out and it was a lot of hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

  • 4. Why am I Gassy and Bloated When I’m Constipated?

    Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. Hydrogen gas, in fact, is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This, in effect, would help it to move out your poo5.

    Good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?) is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools downward. If the bacteria in your intestines are unhealthy (conbiotics™ as I call them) such as the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

  • 5. How Often Should I Have a Bowel Movement ?

    A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Men seem to go more than women. The statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days and women every 2.5 days7. Ideally in my practice our goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact. You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out. Otherwise there is backup.

    If you want to get more in detail about what your poo says about you, get your free download here

  • 6. Why Do Men Go to the Bathroom More than Women?

    Men have a higher average of bowel movements because let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes I am admitting that. But science shows this too. It has to do with the fact that we have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic to women and have an affect on your bowel movements.

  • 7. How Does my Thyroid Affect my Bowel Movements?

    When you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or a condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common symptom is constipation. Think of a thyroid condition as an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation.

  • 8. Why Do my Estrogen Levels Affect My Bowel Movements?

    If you are carrying extra weight, taking the birth control pill or other estrogen-replacing drugs or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) you have a higher level of estrogen than most.

    Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body. Progesterone is necessary to have healthy bowel movements. When your levels of estrogen are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone to have those healthy bowel movements.

  • 9. Why Can’t I Poo?

    We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
    It has to do with:

    – Your nervous system
    – Your hormonal system
    – Your immune system
    – Your digestive system
    – Inflammation that you have in your body
    – The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
    – The types of bacteria you have in your gut
    – The types of foods you are eating
    – The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
    – How much fluid you are drinking
    – How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
    – How much sleep you are getting
    – How stressed you are
    – How depressed you are
    – How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
    – Your genetics

    And the list goes on and on.

  • 10. Why is the Digestive System called the Center of Our Body Universe?

    The gut and digestive spot is the center of the universe when it comes to your body. You have health if you have good bowel movements.
    So if you’ve had problems figuring out why you can’t go, it’s because you haven’t hit the nail on the head yet or you have a combination of different factors working against you, causing you to be constipated. You want to be looking at your stools for the clues.

    As you can see it is a HUGE topic!

  • 11. How Often Should I Poop?

    What goes in, must come out. If you ate every second day, then you should poo every second day. But because you eat daily, you really should be having a bowel movement daily. Otherwise, you are constipated.

    Your body is an environment that requires flow. Intake of good stuff, outpour of bad stuff. Think of it like a fish tank. When your fish poops, the tank must clean the water out from time to time or the fish begins to swim in his own filth. You don’t want the cells inside your body to begin to swim in its own filth. This is clearly not healthy.

  • 12. How Come Most of my Friends Don’t Poo Daily?

    The reality is that constipation is reaching epidemic levels. 14% of the world population9, which equals approximately 1 billion people, are constipated. The worst part is that it is a life threatening epidemic, because if you think about it, all natural environments, including your body, need to eliminate waste. If you can’t eliminate waste, the waste back ups and that is bad.

  • 13. The anatomy of the intestines: How much should you poop each day?

    Did you know that your lower descending colon is the length of your wrist to your elbow. This is the amount of food, fiber and fluids that you ate the day before and should be what you eliminate daily. Remember, what goes in, must come out.

    Have you ever thought, “Wow, here I am eating all this food and where is it going? If it’s not coming out of me, where is it?” It’s just sitting there causing problems. Let’s figure out what we can do to make it better!

  • 1. Why Is Constipation Called a Functional Digestive Problem?

    The symptoms of constipation are varied1. A key component of it is functional, meaning you can’t find reasons for it. For instance it could be a mass that is blocking elimination. This is why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to visualize the intestines, dependent on your age. Other times they may try lifestyle changes and treatments first.

  • 2. What are the Symptoms of Being Unable to Have a Good Bowel Movement?

    The most common symptoms are that you are uncomfortable in your abdomen or belly, you feel bloated, you may have gas and you may feel pain as well. You may produce dry pebbles or hard stools. Often you go less than 1 time per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as less than 3 bowel movements per week.

  • 3. How Does it Feel to be Constipated?

    There is a very distinct feeling of constipation. You push and push and may go a little but you feel like not everything came out and it was a lot of hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

  • 4. Why am I Gassy and Bloated When I’m Constipated?

    Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. Hydrogen gas, in fact, is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This, in effect, would help it to move out your poo5.

    Good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?) is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools downward. If the bacteria in your intestines are unhealthy (conbiotics™ as I call them) such as the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

  • 5. How Often Should I Have a Bowel Movement ?

    A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Men seem to go more than women. The statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days and women every 2.5 days7. Ideally in my practice our goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact. You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out. Otherwise there is backup.

    If you want to get more in detail about what your poo says about you, get your free download here

  • 6. Why Do Men Go to the Bathroom More than Women?

    Men have a higher average of bowel movements because let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes I am admitting that. But science shows this too. It has to do with the fact that we have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic to women and have an affect on your bowel movements.

  • 7. How Does my Thyroid Affect my Bowel Movements?

    When you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or a condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common symptom is constipation. Think of a thyroid condition as an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation.

  • 8. Why Do my Estrogen Levels Affect My Bowel Movements?

    If you are carrying extra weight, taking the birth control pill or other estrogen-replacing drugs or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) you have a higher level of estrogen than most.

    Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body. Progesterone is necessary to have healthy bowel movements. When your levels of estrogen are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone to have those healthy bowel movements.

  • 9. Why Can’t I Poo?

    We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
    It has to do with:

    – Your nervous system
    – Your hormonal system
    – Your immune system
    – Your digestive system
    – Inflammation that you have in your body
    – The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
    – The types of bacteria you have in your gut
    – The types of foods you are eating
    – The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
    – How much fluid you are drinking
    – How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
    – How much sleep you are getting
    – How stressed you are
    – How depressed you are
    – How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
    – Your genetics

    And the list goes on and on.

  • 10. Why is the Digestive System called the Center of Our Body Universe?

    The gut and digestive spot is the center of the universe when it comes to your body. You have health if you have good bowel movements.
    So if you’ve had problems figuring out why you can’t go, it’s because you haven’t hit the nail on the head yet or you have a combination of different factors working against you, causing you to be constipated. You want to be looking at your stools for the clues.

    As you can see it is a HUGE topic!

  • 11. How Often Should I Poop?

    What goes in, must come out. If you ate every second day, then you should poo every second day. But because you eat daily, you really should be having a bowel movement daily. Otherwise, you are constipated.

    Your body is an environment that requires flow. Intake of good stuff, outpour of bad stuff. Think of it like a fish tank. When your fish poops, the tank must clean the water out from time to time or the fish begins to swim in his own filth. You don’t want the cells inside your body to begin to swim in its own filth. This is clearly not healthy.

  • 12. How Come Most of my Friends Don’t Poo Daily?

    The reality is that constipation is reaching epidemic levels. 14% of the world population9, which equals approximately 1 billion people, are constipated. The worst part is that it is a life threatening epidemic, because if you think about it, all natural environments, including your body, need to eliminate waste. If you can’t eliminate waste, the waste back ups and that is bad.

  • 13. The anatomy of the intestines: How much should you poop each day?

    Did you know that your lower descending colon is the length of your wrist to your elbow. This is the amount of food, fiber and fluids that you ate the day before and should be what you eliminate daily. Remember, what goes in, must come out.

    Have you ever thought, “Wow, here I am eating all this food and where is it going? If it’s not coming out of me, where is it?” It’s just sitting there causing problems. Let’s figure out what we can do to make it better!

  • 14. What is The First Step to Have Better Bowel Movements?

    To know what to do, it is important to know what the problem is. Peeking after you poo every time you go is key. Start to keep a log about it (pun completely intended!) Our Queendom is loving The Log Book | A 7-Day Logging Exercise. It is not only great for tracking your stools, but also your gratitude practices, your health practices, your food & water intake, your sleep & so much MORE!

  • 15. What is the Best Supplement-Free Tool to Help With Constipation?

    Castor Oil Packs are legendary, biblical treatment that have been used since the beginning of mankind to treat constipation. They are used in all forms of medicine including the Ancient Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, Egyptian and Caribbean cultures to help with all things having to do with the gut.

    The Castor Oil Pack for Liver IMPROVES:

    – Digestion
    – Absorption
    – Elimination10

    They have shown to reduce pain and inflammation11,12 associated with these processes no matter the cause. So anything that might be irritating your intestine like food sensitivities, allergies or intolerances, it will make it better tolerated so you can digest better.

    Research shows that Castor Oil Pack practice results in less pain and bloating because it helps to improve factors in digestion that are making you feel horrible when you eat food. I can’t tell you how many times I have thrown on a pack when I’ve been bloated or really suffering in my guts. Whether it be from butterflies rocking my belly, or from serious gas.

    If absorption is an issue, chances are you’re low on some of your vital nutrients. Castor Oil Packs help to replenish those deficiencies naturally, simply by helping you better absorb your food. To be able to digest food, you need amino acids from protein in order to make digestive enzymes. If you don’t absorb your food properly, how can you expect to make digestive enzymes? Improving this function helps your body work better.

    Not only do the Castor Oil Packs stimulate the movement of the digestive tract, but they also help to get things out as well. It has been researched in comparison to stimulant laxatives and shown to produce improved satisfaction and sensation of complete evacuation, reduced straining and patients overall had a better bowel movement experience13.

    On top of that it also helps to improve the antioxidants and factors in your body that help with cleansing, like glutathione14,15.

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs stimulate the movement of the digestive track
  • 1. Why Is Constipation Called a Functional Digestive Problem?

    The symptoms of constipation are varied1. A key component of it is functional, meaning you can’t find reasons for it. For instance it could be a mass that is blocking elimination. This is why it’s important to get checked out by your doctor. Usually your doctor will try different treatments or do a colonoscopy to visualize the intestines, dependent on your age. Other times they may try lifestyle changes and treatments first.

  • 2. What are the Symptoms of Being Unable to Have a Good Bowel Movement?

    The most common symptoms are that you are uncomfortable in your abdomen or belly, you feel bloated, you may have gas and you may feel pain as well. You may produce dry pebbles or hard stools. Often you go less than 1 time per day. According to the Mayo Clinic2, constipation is classified as less than 3 bowel movements per week.

  • 3. How Does it Feel to be Constipated?

    There is a very distinct feeling of constipation. You push and push and may go a little but you feel like not everything came out and it was a lot of hard work. It also takes you longer than most to go to the bathroom. The term used is incomplete evacuation and straining.

  • 4. Why am I Gassy and Bloated When I’m Constipated?

    Gas and bloating is part of constipation and functional digestive disorders4. Even though gas is uncomfortable, it’s one of the natural ways that the body signals the intestines to move. Hydrogen gas, in fact, is known to have beneficial effects for the colonic mucosa, including functioning as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This, in effect, would help it to move out your poo5.

    Good gas (I know, I know, how can it be good?) is produced by good bacteria, like probiotics. It stimulates the natural action of the intestines to move stools downward. If the bacteria in your intestines are unhealthy (conbiotics™ as I call them) such as the archaea species of bacteria that produce methane, then it can actually slow down bowel transit time. This is linked to constipation6.

  • 5. How Often Should I Have a Bowel Movement ?

    A normal bowel movement should happen every day. Men seem to go more than women. The statistics show that on average, men go every 1.7 days and women every 2.5 days7. Ideally in my practice our goal is for all patients to go daily, for this simple fact. You eat daily, so what goes in, should come out. Otherwise there is backup.

    If you want to get more in detail about what your poo says about you, get your free download here

  • 6. Why Do Men Go to the Bathroom More than Women?

    Men have a higher average of bowel movements because let’s face it, women are more complicated. Yes I am admitting that. But science shows this too. It has to do with the fact that we have a broader hormone mix than men. Estrogen can be very problematic to women and have an affect on your bowel movements.

  • 7. How Does my Thyroid Affect my Bowel Movements?

    When you have an underactive thyroid (A.K.A. hypothyroid) or a condition known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, a common symptom is constipation. Think of a thyroid condition as an overall slowing down of your metabolism. If your body is slow, then your bowel movements will be much slower too, leading to constipation.

  • 8. Why Do my Estrogen Levels Affect My Bowel Movements?

    If you are carrying extra weight, taking the birth control pill or other estrogen-replacing drugs or are exposed to fake estrogens (A.K.A. xenoestrogens – which every human being on the planet these days is) you have a higher level of estrogen than most.

    Progesterone balances estrogen in the female body. Progesterone is necessary to have healthy bowel movements. When your levels of estrogen are too high, you lose the proper balance between estrogen and progesterone to have those healthy bowel movements.

  • 9. Why Can’t I Poo?

    We’ve talked about a few, but there are so many reasons why you can’t poo8.
    It has to do with:

    – Your nervous system
    – Your hormonal system
    – Your immune system
    – Your digestive system
    – Inflammation that you have in your body
    – The amount of weight that you are carrying in your abdomen (central obesity)
    – The types of bacteria you have in your gut
    – The types of foods you are eating
    – The foods you may be eating that you are allergic, sensitive or intolerant to
    – How much fluid you are drinking
    – How many caffeinated beverages you are consuming daily
    – How much sleep you are getting
    – How stressed you are
    – How depressed you are
    – How deficient you are in certain vitamins and minerals that support good bowel movements
    – Your genetics

    And the list goes on and on.

  • 10. Why is the Digestive System called the Center of Our Body Universe?

    The gut and digestive spot is the center of the universe when it comes to your body. You have health if you have good bowel movements.
    So if you’ve had problems figuring out why you can’t go, it’s because you haven’t hit the nail on the head yet or you have a combination of different factors working against you, causing you to be constipated. You want to be looking at your stools for the clues.

    As you can see it is a HUGE topic!

  • 11. How Often Should I Poop?

    What goes in, must come out. If you ate every second day, then you should poo every second day. But because you eat daily, you really should be having a bowel movement daily. Otherwise, you are constipated.

    Your body is an environment that requires flow. Intake of good stuff, outpour of bad stuff. Think of it like a fish tank. When your fish poops, the tank must clean the water out from time to time or the fish begins to swim in his own filth. You don’t want the cells inside your body to begin to swim in its own filth. This is clearly not healthy.

  • 12. How Come Most of my Friends Don’t Poo Daily?

    The reality is that constipation is reaching epidemic levels. 14% of the world population9, which equals approximately 1 billion people, are constipated. The worst part is that it is a life threatening epidemic, because if you think about it, all natural environments, including your body, need to eliminate waste. If you can’t eliminate waste, the waste back ups and that is bad.

  • 13. The anatomy of the intestines: How much should you poop each day?

    Did you know that your lower descending colon is the length of your wrist to your elbow. This is the amount of food, fiber and fluids that you ate the day before and should be what you eliminate daily. Remember, what goes in, must come out.

    Have you ever thought, “Wow, here I am eating all this food and where is it going? If it’s not coming out of me, where is it?” It’s just sitting there causing problems. Let’s figure out what we can do to make it better!

  • 14. What is The First Step to Have Better Bowel Movements?

    To know what to do, it is important to know what the problem is. Peeking after you poo every time you go is key. Start to keep a log about it (pun completely intended!) Our Queendom is loving The Log Book | A 7-Day Logging Exercise. It is not only great for tracking your stools, but also your gratitude practices, your health practices, your food & water intake, your sleep & so much MORE!

  • 15. What is the Best Supplement-Free Tool to Help With Constipation?

    Castor Oil Packs are legendary, biblical treatment that have been used since the beginning of mankind to treat constipation. They are used in all forms of medicine including the Ancient Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, Egyptian and Caribbean cultures to help with all things having to do with the gut.

    The Castor Oil Pack for Liver IMPROVES:

    – Digestion
    – Absorption
    – Elimination10

    They have shown to reduce pain and inflammation11,12 associated with these processes no matter the cause. So anything that might be irritating your intestine like food sensitivities, allergies or intolerances, it will make it better tolerated so you can digest better.

    Research shows that Castor Oil Pack practice results in less pain and bloating because it helps to improve factors in digestion that are making you feel horrible when you eat food. I can’t tell you how many times I have thrown on a pack when I’ve been bloated or really suffering in my guts. Whether it be from butterflies rocking my belly, or from serious gas.

    If absorption is an issue, chances are you’re low on some of your vital nutrients. Castor Oil Packs help to replenish those deficiencies naturally, simply by helping you better absorb your food. To be able to digest food, you need amino acids from protein in order to make digestive enzymes. If you don’t absorb your food properly, how can you expect to make digestive enzymes? Improving this function helps your body work better.

    Not only do the Castor Oil Packs stimulate the movement of the digestive tract, but they also help to get things out as well. It has been researched in comparison to stimulant laxatives and shown to produce improved satisfaction and sensation of complete evacuation, reduced straining and patients overall had a better bowel movement experience13.

    On top of that it also helps to improve the antioxidants and factors in your body that help with cleansing, like glutathione14,15.

Remember as well there are so many possible ROOT CAUSES for your CONSTIPATION so troubleshooting can be very difficult. This is an easy way to set the foundation and start off by removing the most common factors. Then as you look and learn from your poo, you can be your own best digestive detective to understand what might be the underlying problem and then fix it!

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

1 Sharma A1, Rao S2. Constipation: Pathophysiology and Current Therapeutic Approaches. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2017;239:59-74. doi: 10.1007/164_2016_111.

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253

3 Mearin F1, Ciriza C2, Mínguez M3, Rey E4, Mascort JJ5, Peña E6, Cañones P7, Júdez J8; en nombre de la SEPD, la semFYC, la SEMERGEN y la SEMG.[Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in adults: Treatment (Part 2 of 2)]. Aten Primaria. 2017 Mar;49(3):177-194. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2017.01.003. Epub 2017 Feb 24.

4 Wilkinson JM1, Cozine EW1, Loftus CG1. Gas, Bloating, and Belching: Approach to Evaluation and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Mar 1;99(5):301-309.

5 Carbonero F1, Benefiel AC, Gaskins HR. Contributions of the microbial hydrogen economy to colonic homeostasis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Sep;9(9):504-18. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2012.85. Epub 2012 May 15.

6 Sahakian AB1, Jee SR, Pimentel M. Methane and the gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci. 2010 Aug;55(8):2135-43. doi: 10.1007/s10620-009-1012-0. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

7 Bohlin J1, Dahlin E1, Dreja J2, Roth B1, Ekberg O2, Ohlsson B1. Longer colonic transit time is associated with laxative and drug use, lifestyle factors, and symptoms of constipation. Acta Radiol Open. 2018 Oct 22;7(10):2058460118807232. doi: 10.1177/2058460118807232. eCollection 2018 Sep.

8 Sinagra E1, Morreale GC2, Mohammadian G3, Fusco G4, Guarnotta V5, Tomasello G6, Cappello F6, Rossi F1, Amvrosiadis G2, Raimondo D1. New therapeutic perspectives in irritable bowel syndrome: Targeting low-grade inflammation, immuno-neuroendocrine axis, motility, secretion and beyond. World J Gastroenterol. 2017 Sep 28;23(36):6593-6627. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i36.6593.

9 Larry E Miller,1 Alvin Ibarra,2 and Arthur C Ouwehand2 Normative Values for Colonic Transit Time and Patient Assessment of Constipation in Adults With Functional Constipation: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Clin Med Insights Gastroenterol. 2017; 11: 1179552217729343.Published online 2017 Aug 31. doi: 10.1177/1179552217729343PMCID: PMC5582663PMID: 28894394

10 Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

11 Grady H. Immunomodulation through castor oil packs. The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Volume 7 Jan 1 1998; 7(1): 84-9

12 Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8.

13 Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18.

14 Badaró MM1, Salles MM1, Leite VMF1, Arruda CNF1, Oliveira VC1, Nascimento CD1, Souza RF1, Paranhos HFO1, Silva-Lovato CH1. Clinical trial for evaluation of Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser. J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 May-Jun;25(3):324-334. doi: 10.1590/1678-7757-2016-0222.

15 Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1. Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.

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