1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Alternative Medicine

Flaxseeds and Lemon Water

By Cathy Wong, About.com

Updated: January 29, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Fiber

Getting enough fiber can help to ensure normal bowel movements. Ground flaxseeds are thought to have laxative properties, although only one study has examined it as a laxative. Some alternative practitioners believe that flaxseeds or psyllium may also help the body to detoxify.

It's important to take it with an adequate amount of water or it could potentially lead to constipation or bowel obstruction. Ground flaxsseds or psyllium can be taken in a drink by mixing one to two teaspoons in a glass of water. It's often taken first thing in the morning or before bed.

Lemon Water

Some alternative practitioners recommend having some lemon juice in water to improve digestion. A typical recommendation is to squeeze a wedge or 1/4 lemon into warm water and drink it in the morning.

Explore Alternative Medicine
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Alternative Medicine
  4. Diets
  5. Detox & Cleansing
  6. Flaxseeds and Lemon Water for Digestion

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.