My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe - Food.com (2024)

10

Submitted by Garden Gate Kate

"My sweet grandma used stewed prunes as a natural laxative, but my mom likes to eat them as a simple and healthy dessert because slow simmering softens and thickens dried plums into a sweet syrupy goodness. Healthier than taking Ex-lax."

Download

My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe - Food.com (2) My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe - Food.com (3)

photo by Garden Gate Kate My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe - Food.com (4)

Ready In:
31mins

Ingredients:
4
Yields:

15 stewed prunes

Serves:
1

Advertisem*nt

ingredients

  • 15 pitted prunes (dried plums)
  • 1 12 cups water
  • 1 -2 tablespoon orange juice (optional)
  • milk, as desired (optional)

Advertisem*nt

directions

  • In a small saucepan, place prunes, water, and orange juice. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Prunes will absorb most of the water, and the remaining water will thicken into a consistency of syrup. If there is a lot of liquid remaining, simmer, uncovered, for a few minutes until sauce reduces.
  • Transfer hot prunes and syrup to a bowl. Pour cold milk over the prunes to cover. Eat with a spoon.
  • HINT: This remedy should work within 24 hours and can be safely eaten as often and as long as needed.
  • NOTE: If you do not have constipation and just like the taste of stewed prunes, you may add 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the prunes mixture before cooking (Cinnamon, oranges, and prunes pair well together.) However, do not add the cinnamon if you are using this for constipation because cinnamon is used as a natural cure for diarrhea and will have the opposite effect of a laxative.
  • One cup prunes contains 1274 mg of potassium, which prevents muscle cramps, and 12 grams of fiber to relieve constipation.

Questions & Replies

My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe - Food.com (5)

  1. How much milk do I add for this recipe (15 stewed prunes)? Instructions don't say and I don't want to ruin it.

    Karolyn H.

Advertisem*nt

Reviews

  1. 15 prunes will get anyone going, stewed or not because of the fiber and sorbitol in them. I'm surprised the serving size is 1. Perhaps it should be noted that this makes a nice amount of stewed prunes to eat over 2-3 days to get things moving again. If you are really backed up, then it won't hurt you and you will clean out, but be aware that you may experience bloating and a lot of cramping from the gasses created by so much fructose in the gut (relieved by flatulence so you might want to be home when this kicks in).

    Allison D.

  2. my father's great grandmother used to make something like this with prunes and orange juice and he said about twice a year when he would be at great grandma's house and his stomach was hurting really bad she would get some of her home-made dried plums (prunes) and stew ´em up and make ´em eat them, he also said he used to hate the way they tasted but after they fixed you up you wouldn't be complaining but he didnt like plums so the flavor thing makes since. it its some what old fashion but it DEFINITELY works well

    Jami M.

  3. This recipe was good, however, I let them cook for 45-1 hr to thicken. It helped with my husband’s constipation and I enjoyed a few as well! Milk was not used.

    loch446

  4. Actually my mom told to do this...it works awesome

    Adry K.

  5. These are very good. I like to let them cook on low for about an hour until the syrup forms & let them cool a while so the milk won't curdle. I have also cooked them up & put the whole thing in a jar with oats to make "overnight oats", and over traditional hot cereal -- both very good. I have tried eating uncooked prunes and drinking water to help my system work more smoothly, to little avail. After just one serving of stewed prunes, I was able to stop taking fiber and stool softener! Thank you!

    Leigh W.

see 5 more reviews

Advertisem*nt

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Garden Gate Kate

United States

  • 7 Followers
  • 29 Recipes
  • 9 Tweaks

<p>My grandfather did not speak or read a word of English when he moved to America from China at eleven years old. With a lot of hard work, he proudly became an US citizen and began his own Cantonese restaurant in Kingston, NY, from the ground up. He is not a trained chef but has a natural gift for combining unexpected flavors and ingredients into the most delicious dishes. Although the food on the menu is the absolute best Chinese food in the country, the really out-of-this-world dishes are the ones that he serves his family in the back of the restaurant. He doesn't read cookbooks or write down any of his recipes; all his creations are original. Growing up, I spent every summer with him eating these foods. Every morning, we would pick fresh vegetables from his garden that he would use to make the noon and evening meals with. He stuffed garden zucchini the size of my arm (of course, my arm was smaller then) with fresh lobster and shrimp. This is just one example of a simple summertime lunch for him. Without a doubt, his cooking is the greatest influence on my tastes in foods and my own recipes.</p>

View Full Profile

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

Advertisem*nt

YOU'LL ALSO LOVE

My Grandma's Natural Remedies for Diarrhea

by Garden Gate Kate

Natural Flea Remedy for Your Pets

by Karen From Colorado

How to Peel Peaches, 3 Ways

27 Healthy Lunches for Kids

View All Recipes

My Grandma's Natural Remedy for Constipation (Stewed Prunes) Recipe  - Food.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the grandma's remedy for constipation? ›

In a small saucepan, place prunes, water, and orange juice. Bring to boil, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Prunes will absorb most of the water, and the remaining water will thicken into a consistency of syrup. If there is a lot of liquid remaining, simmer, uncovered, for a few minutes until sauce reduces.

Are stewed prunes more effective for constipation? ›

Both stewed prunes and dried prunes can be effective in relieving constipation because prunes contain high amounts of fiber and sorbitol, a natural laxative.

How many prunes should I eat to relieve constipation? ›

For some, consuming too many prunes or drinking a large quantity of prune juice may induce uncomfortable bloating or diarrhea. Start by eating three to five prunes or sipping on ½ cup of prune juice after dinner to see if this helps bring on a bowel movement the next morning.

What simple trick empties your bowels immediately? ›

Home remedies include increasing your fiber intake or taking a laxative, using a suppository, or taking a stool softener. Trying out a squat position, doing light exercise, or performing a colonic massage may also help.

What is the best natural laxative for seniors? ›

Natural laxatives include foods rich in magnesium, fiber, and probiotics, as well as drinks like water, prune juice, and coffee. Certain herbs, such as senna, ginger, peppermint, and aloe vera, can also help to keep your bowel movements more regular.

How quickly do prunes work as a laxative? ›

How quickly prunes or prune juice will work depends on each individual. Some will see results in as little as a few hours. For some, it may take a day or so. Using this “go-slow” approach makes you more likely to improve symptoms without rapid urgency or even diarrhea.

Is it better to eat prunes in the morning or at night? ›

Prunes. The high concentrations of vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium in prunes all help produce melatonin. These proteins are often lacking in a plant-based diet, so this is a great late-night snack if you're dairy-free.

Do prunes in hot water help with constipation? ›

To get more potassium into your diet make a constipation remedy drink by, Pouring hot water over dried prunes and waiting 10 minutes. Then eat the prunes and drink the juice Do this on an empty stomach in the morning. The high concentration of potassium and vitamin A, in prunes, stimulates enzymatic processes.

What foods help immediately with constipation? ›

The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one dietitians recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.

How to get rid of constipation fast? ›

5 Home Remedies for Constipation
  1. Eat enough fiber. "The No. 1 thing I recommend is altering your diet," says Dr. Kalakota. ...
  2. Drink plenty of water. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Use an osmotic laxative to help soften stool. ...
  5. Take a stimulant laxative for quicker relief.
Sep 1, 2023

Why am I pooping water after prune juice? ›

It creates an “osmotic effect,” which means that it pulls more water into the gut. This helps to loosen up the stools and promotes bowel movements. Some manufacturers add fiber-rich prune puree to the juice. The fiber also has laxative effects and promotes bowel movements.

Are stewed prunes better than dried prunes? ›

While you can enjoy prunes dried, stewing them gives them a lot more flavor and allows you to use them in different ways.

What is the healthiest way to eat prunes? ›

Adding more prunes to your diet
  • Eat them alone as a snack.
  • Add prunes to your breakfast oatmeal.
  • Mix them with nuts, other dried fruits such as apricots, and dark chocolate chips for a healthy trail mix.
  • Add them to baked goods.
  • Blend them (or use prune juice) for drinks or smoothies.
Jan 17, 2023

Is it better to eat prunes or drink prune juice as a laxative? ›

Dried prunes can be just as effective as prune juice in providing constipation relief. In fact, dried prunes may be a preferred option for mild to moderate cases. This is due to their higher concentration of sorbitol and fiber compared to prune juice, which loses some fiber during the juicing process.

What is the nurses co*cktail for constipation? ›

The nurse identified that one of the approaches was to give patients with constipation a “co*cktail” of warm prune juice, lemon juice, and Senokot liquid to facilitate the first postoperative BM.

What home remedy gets rid of constipation fast? ›

5 Home Remedies for Constipation
  1. Eat enough fiber. "The No. 1 thing I recommend is altering your diet," says Dr. Kalakota. ...
  2. Drink plenty of water. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Use an osmotic laxative to help soften stool. ...
  5. Take a stimulant laxative for quicker relief. ...
  6. The signs it's time to see your doctor about constipation.
Sep 1, 2023

How can I get immediate relief from constipation in my child? ›

There are several things you can do that might help relieve your child's constipation before your doctor's appointment, for example:
  1. Give your child prune juice. ...
  2. Cut back on constipating foods. ...
  3. If possible, take your child for a walk or run. ...
  4. Ease up on toilet training.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5978

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.