First, make sure you are drinking at least 1.5 litres of pure water daily to lubricate the gut and keep the stools from drying out in the large intestine. The next step is to take a look at what you' re eating. Foods naturally high in fibre are vital, as they help keep the bowel muscles moving, bulk out and soften the stools and sweep the gut like a broom. So your daily diet has got to include fresh vegetables and fruit (which have a beneficial high water content too), beans, lentils and wholegrains such as brown rice and oats. I don' t suggest you take laxatives, even herbal ones, because they do not deal with the underlying problem. Nor do added fibres such as wheat bran, which simply irritate the gut. A good alternative is to soak a tablespoon of organic golden flax seeds, available in healthfood stores, in a glass of water overnight, and drink the mixture in the morning. If you' ve been constipated for a long time, do a colon cleanse using colon-cleansing herbs and fibres. Aloe vera is also good.