A nurse has just shared a handy natural solution they use in hospitals for relieving constipation, and the best part is, it’s so simple you can try it out in your own kitchen.
According to the NHS, having infrequent bowel movements and constipation can have several different causes, including not eating enough fibre, insufficient hydration, a lack of physical activity, or certain medications.
If left unaddressed, constipation may lead to more complex health issues such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures, faecal impaction, or rectal prolapse, which would need medical help to be treated.
To help people in dealing with constipation from the comfort of their homes, a nurse named Brooke has taken Instagram to share her go-to method for kickstarting patients’ digestion, and all you need are two ingredients.
In her instructional video, Brooke recounts the case of a patient who had been constipated for over ten days. She demonstrates the preparation of her ‘remedy’.
Brooke shared: “Hot Buttered Prune Juice – the best mocktail I have!!! Can’t discharge a patient without a poo?? All the miralax and sennacot in the world can’t do ya like some prune and butter!”
She demonstrates topping up a mug with prune juice, followed by a few chunks of butter. Next, she heats the concoction in a microwave until the butter melts completely, always pausing to stir intermittently.
Once prepared, she delivers this ‘prime’ laxative to her patient, touting it as ‘the best’.
Brooke narrated in the caption of her video an often unspoken truth: “I also think we all do the poop dance, it’s a skill to make someone poop after 10 days of failed attempts- no one is more excited for your BM than your nurse.”
She continued with a piece of advice for those who might consider trying the recommended concoction, warning that it’s important to keep a toilet nearby and to heat the drink properly to avoid the butter solidifying into lumps.
“I have never seen someone be able to hold it in after this one – never a failed attempt,” she confidently affirmed.
The social media post didn’t take long to attract attention, inspiring users to share their personal accounts of using the drink. One person described their success with the mixture by saying, “It’s called a Hot Potty. I make it with half prune and half apple juice plus a healthy pat of butter. It works and I actually like the taste.”
Another user detailed their own experience drinking the homemade laxative: “Safe space….had a c section. Left hospital without BM. Three weeks later, decided to try this after everything else failed. Shat bricks wonderfully. Clogged the toilet.”
Another medical professional was amazed by its efficacy, stating: “WAIT. I learned about this as a new grad and tried it on a patient who had bowels as hard as a solid block of ice and it worked. I have sworn by it since!” Meanwhile, curiosity got the best of a fourth commentator, humorously adding, “But why do I want to try this just for funsies?”.
The NHS suggests implementing straightforward lifestyle and dietary modifications to treat constipation. These include maintaining a healthy balanced diet with fruits that contain sorbitol – including apples, apricots, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries.
It’s also advised to keep yourself hydrated , gradually increase the fibre in your diet, and incorporate wheat bran, oats, and linseed into your meals. If these dietary and lifestyle adjustments prove ineffective, it’s recommended to consult a pharmacist.