Laxatives are available in two basic varieties: over-the-counter laxatives that use chemicals as the active ingredients, and laxatives made with natural ingredients and generally only available in nutrition stores or the Internet. Laxatives made from chemicals are not the best remedy for constipation relief as they tend to be habit forming, cause dehydration, and your body may not be able to perform a bowel movement on its own without a laxative if you use them for too long. Laxatives made from natural ingredients are less abrasive on the body and colon, are non-habit forming, and naturally help the body with the bowel movements.

Suppositories. They may be used as a remedy for constipation relief as well. Suppositories are administered rectally for treatment of constipation and have active chemical ingredients such as bisacodyl or glycerin. As with chemically based laxatives, they can cause harm to the body if used too often. Suppositories are the preferred remedy for constipation relief for small children as they are easier to administer than pills or syrups.