Constipation to Clarity: My Ayurvedic Recovery Journey
In 2013, I moved from India to Canada to pursue a Master’s in Computer Science. What I didn’t expect was that this move would also mark the beginning of a difficult 6-year struggle — with chronic constipation.
Dry, hard stools, bloating, incomplete evacuation, low energy, and a general sense of frustration became part of my daily life. I tried it all — fiber-rich diets, drinking more water, even regular doses of castor oil. These gave short-term relief, but I knew deep down I was only masking the symptoms.
💡 The Turning Point: Discovering Ayurveda
The real shift happened when I discovered Ayurveda— the ancient Indian system of holistic healing. It didn’t offer a quick fix. Instead, it gave me something much more powerful: a deep understanding of my body, digestion (Agni), and how to live in harmony with nature.
I began studying Ayurveda formally under Dr. Hemant Gupta (Ottawa), pursuing a certification in Ayurvedic Wellness Counseling. This journey helped me reconnect with my body’s signals and uncover the root causes of my digestive issues.
Dr. Hemant Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D. Ayurveda D.N.M
🌿 What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means “Science of Life.” It teaches that health is a state of balance between the body, mind, and environment.
Core principles include:
Doshas: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), Kapha (earth)
Agni: The digestive fire, the root of health
Ama: Toxins caused by weak digestion
Chronic constipation, in my case, was largely due to a Vata imbalance— dryness, irregularity, and weak Agni.
🧭 My Ayurvedic Roadmap to Healing
Here’s what truly worked for me, rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom and personal experience:
🏃♂️ Step 1: Move Before You Eat
This insight came from Aasan Senthamizhan, a person with deep experiential understanding of the body and knowledge rooted in the Siddha tradition.
Aasan Senthamizhan
He shared that we shouldn’t eat just to fuel activity— rather, we should move first, let the body generate true hunger, and then eat. This approach aligns food intake with the body’s actual needs.
When I began applying this, I noticed a real shift. After movement, hunger felt more genuine and digestion significantly improved.
✅ Walking, jogging, yoga
✅ Outdoor activities
✅ Twisting stretches and squats to stimulate digestion
Movement first → Genuine hunger → Stronger digestion → Proper nourishment
🍽️ Step 2: Eat Right, At the Right Time
When to Eat:
Eat when genuinely hungry
Lunch = heaviest meal (strongest Agni at noon)
Dinner = light and early (before 7 PM)
How to Eat:
Sit in a calm environment
Avoid distractions or eating on the go
Chew thoroughly and eat mindfully
What to Eat (Especially for Constipation):
Warm, moist, cooked meals (Khichdi, soups, porridges)
Steamed vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, zucchini)
Fruits like ripe banana, papaya, soaked prunes, cooked apples
Digestion-supportive spices (ginger, ajwain, cumin)
Another practical insight I received from Aasan Senthamizhan was the importance of matching food intake to your level of activity. If your activity is light, meals should be light and easy to digest. If you’ve done more physical work, your body can handle and benefit from deeper nourishment. Aligning food quantity and type with your energy expenditure supports smoother digestion and prevents heaviness or bloating.
Avoid:
Raw salads, smoothies, cold drinks
Dry snacks (toast, crackers)
Excess legumes, raw veggies, processed food
Overeating — listen to your burp, taste loss, or fullness
🧂 Step 3: Rekindle Digestion (Agni)
A sluggish Agni = bloating, toxins, constipation.
Boosters:
Ginger-lime-salt before meals
Warm water or herbal teas
Trikatu, ajwain, fennel after meals
A special Ayurvedic Rasam (garlic-cumin broth) around 5 PM. It helped me reset my evening appetite and avoid overeating at dinner.
🛌 Step 4: Respect Sleep and Energy Cycles
Sleep by 10 PM to allow the body to rejuvenate
Avoid screens, caffeine, and heavy food before bed
Don’t nap in the afternoon unless necessary
💆♂️ Step 5: Pacify Vata with Oil Massage (Abhyanga)
Why? Vata is dry and mobile. Oil massage calms the nervous system and lubricates the colon.
How to do it:
Use warm sesame oil
Massage slowly, especially on abdomen and joints
Let sit for 20 minutes, then take a warm shower
🪔 Key Ayurvedic Remedies
Triphala: Gentle night-time cleanse
Castor Oil: Occasional deep cleanse under guidance
Ajwain tea, ginger, and hing: Bloating & gas relief
Abhyanga: Regular grounding routine
The goal is not dependency — it’s rhythm. Build a body that eliminates naturally, daily.
🧾 Final Thoughts: Constipation Is a Message
It’s not just a digestive issue. It’s your body signaling imbalance — in routine, diet, emotions, and energy.
“Strong digestion is the foundation of vibrant health. Healing begins when we slow down, listen, and nourish our body with wisdom and care.”
✅ Key Takeaways
Move before you eat to awaken real hunger
Eat warm, spiced, digestible foods only when hungry
Match food to your level of physical activity
Sleep on time and honor your body’s energy cycle
Use herbs and spices to ignite Agni
Heal the root cause — not just symptoms
⚠️Disclaimer: This article is not intended as medical advice. It is based on my personal healing journey and insights from Ayurvedic principles. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider or Ayurvedic practitioner before making any health-related changes
