Constipation, often exacerbated by today’s processed, fatty diets, has troubled humanity for centuries. As far back as ancient Greece and Egypt, people viewed faecal blockages as toxic waste within the body. By the early 1900s, medical professionals in Britain and the US argued that constipation represented the root cause of various chronic illnesses, spurring a market filled with dubious remedies and an obsession with tracking bowel movements.
Curious about what contributes to your constipation? Discover possible causes and learn how much fibre you should consume daily. Continue reading to explore the fascinating spectrum of gut health.
In modern times, effective solutions like prunes, coffee, and kiwi fruit have emerged, but historical records reveal various unconventional treatments for constipation—ranging from purgatives to radical dietary changes resembling contemporary ‘cleanses’. As George Hamilton noted in 1806:
one orders a vomit and t’other a purge
And with violent heat their remedies urge,
Of the poor patient how hard is the lot,
For one way or other he must go to pot.
Here are ten of the most intriguing cures for constipation throughout history:
1. Electric Belts
During the mid-18th century, the advent of electricity captivated society, largely thanks to Benjamin Franklin’s discoveries. This enthusiasm led some physicians to promote electrotherapy as a cure for numerous ailments, including constipation. By the late 1800s, the ‘electropathetic belt’ delivered continuous small electric shocks to its wearer, with tens of thousands sold across Britain and the US until the 1920s, when skepticism grew over its medical merits.
2. Mercury
Recent scientific advancements allowed researchers to peer inside a sealed medicine vial from 160 years ago, revealing essentially toxic mercuric chloride. This substance was occasionally prescribed to treat both syphilis and constipation, though it carried serious health risks. Exposure can lead to mercury poisoning, presenting symptoms such as tremors and cognitive decline. The famous Lewis and Clark expedition even fell victim to its laxative properties, only to be met with persistent diarrhoea.
3. Wine
An ancient text from the 2nd century AD offers a remedy involving ‘a little new wine, diluted to a somewhat watery consistency.’ Those suffering from constipation were encouraged to consume stronger varieties. While this may have lifted spirits, the promised bowel relief remains questionable.
4. Tobacco Smoke Enema
Tobacco was initially utilized in colonial America as a smoke enema for individuals who had nearly drowned. Imported into England during the 18th century, physicians began administering this peculiar therapy for various ailments, including constipation. A London medical journal from 1827 notes that one woman experienced chronic constipation and underwent multiple tobacco smoke enemas but claimed to find relief only after 21 days, famously exclaiming, ‘I am now in heaven’ following her treatment.
5. Cornflakes
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, a staunch Seventh-day Adventist, invented cornflakes to promote a bland diet aimed at preventing masturbation. He believed that all sexual activity was harmful and viewed constipation as another sign of impurity. Kellogg aimed to increase dietary fibre among Americans through his cornflakes. Thankfully, his other invention, an enema machine for flushing the bowels with a mix of water and yogurt, did not achieve lasting popularity.
6. Honey Enema
In ancient Egypt’s sixth dynasty, one esteemed physician earned the title of Shepherd of the King’s Rectum—an honored position, given the pharaoh’s divine status. Egyptians believed the body was comprised of 22 channels responsible for transporting essential substances. Any blockages could result in health complications. Consequently, this royal physician frequently administered enemas made from a sticky mixture of honey and either water or wine.
The ‘everlasting pill’ was designed to induce bowel movements before being extracted from the feces for reuse. Throughout history, this purgative approach persisted, utilizing antinomy, a toxic semi-metal, with the method continuing into the 19th century. In the 1970s, a compound called tartar emetic derived from antimony was still employed to treat parasitic infections, albeit with the risk of fatality.
8. Liquorice
Liquorice, originally cultivated in the Mediterranean and Asia, gained large-scale popularity in 17th-century England. The area produced iconic Pontefract cakes—liquorice lozenges bearing the image of Pontefract Castle. While many enjoy the taste of liquorice, it was historically employed for its medicinal properties that treated digestive problems, including constipation.
9. Rhubarb Powder
Today commonly used in desserts, rhubarb has a rich history as a medicinal remedy. In traditional Chinese medicine, rhubarb roots served as a treatment for constipation, and in Britain, ground rhubarb root was an exclusive purgative imported from the East until the 18th century.
10. Jujube
While most people are familiar with the laxative effects of prunes, the fruit ziziphus mauritiana, known as the ‘Indian plum’ or jujube, also has a long-standing reputation as a remedy for constipation in Chad. Meanwhile, the closely related ‘Chinese date’ or Chinese jujube serves this purpose in Oman and beyond.
Further Reading:
Home Remedies for Constipation
90% of Us Aren’t Getting Enough Fibre: The Consequences
The Best Probiotic Supplements Reviewed
Top 10 High Fibre Foods
The Most Disgusting British Foods Ever
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