Feeling bloated, heavy, and stuck is the worst. Your stomach is cramped, every trip to the bathroom ends in frustration, and the kind of discomfort that ruins your entire day. Millions of people deal with this every single week, yet most suffer in silence because they’re embarrassed or think they need harsh laxatives to fix it. The good news? You can often feel relief in as little as 12–24 hours using simple foods you probably already have at home — and there’s one underrated fruit that outperforms almost everything else (keep reading to #1 to see why doctors and grandmothers agree on this one).

Here are 7 science-backed, gentle remedies that actually work — starting with the “fig trick” you’ll wish you knew sooner.

1. Soaked Figs — Nature’s Most Effective Gentle Laxative
Figs aren’t just delicious; they’re a constipation superpower. Both fresh and dried figs are loaded with soluble fiber and a natural compound called ficin that helps break down waste and stimulates bowel movement.

Research published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics shows that eating figs daily improves stool consistency and frequency better than many over-the-counter fiber supplements — with zero harsh side effects.

How to do the famous “overnight fig trick”:
Take 3–5 dried figs (organic if possible)
Soak them in a glass of warm water before bed
In the morning, eat the softened figs and drink the water on an empty stomach
Most people notice smoother, easier bowel movements the same day. Do this for 3–4 days and chronic sluggishness often disappears.

2 Warm Lemon Water First Thing in the Morning
This classic remedy works because warm liquid relaxes intestinal muscles while lemon’s citric acid gently stimulates bile production and peristalsis (the wave-like motion that moves everything along).

How to make it right: