🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Constipation is a common digestive issue among modern people, especially prevalent among the elderly. Clinical statistics show that 20% of adults over 60 in China have fewer than three bowel movements per week, and defecation is extremely difficult, with women four times more affected than men. To address this, many know they should eat more fruits. However, according to TCM theory, body constitutions vary greatly, so fruit intake for preventing constipation should also differ.
According to TCM's "constitution theory," human constitutions fall into three categories: cold, heat, and neutral. Cold-type individuals tend to fear cold and have white, slippery tongue coating; heat-type individuals often feel thirsty, have yellow tongue coating, and are easily irritable; neutral-type individuals have no preference for cold or heat. Different constitutions require opposite-natured fruits. Heat-type individuals should eat cold-natured fruits such as watermelon, honeydew, papaya, pear, pomelo, orange, banana, mulberry, lotus root, and kiwi; cold-type individuals should eat warm-natured fruits like cherry, orange, and jujube; neutral-type individuals have broader choices, but pineapples and sugarcane are most suitable.
When consuming, pay attention to the following: ① Elderly with diabetes should avoid high-sugar fruits such as longan, lychee, jujube, honeydew, and banana. ② Fruits like apple, hawthorn, and plum contain abundant tannins, which have astringent effects; those with constipation should eat less, otherwise it may worsen their condition. ③ Sweet potato is not a fruit but frequently appears on fruit stalls; it has excellent laxative effects and can be consumed by all constitution types. ④ Fresh fruits are best eaten in five portions throughout the day.
Although constipation is common, one must remain vigilant about serious underlying conditions such as colon cancer. Anyone with chronic, unrelenting constipation should seek medical examination to prevent complications.