If you have to strain to pass hard stools, you may suffer from constipation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hard, dry stools may be the result of not drinking enough liquids or a dietary deficiency, but constipation could also be a symptom of an underlying disorder. Some herbal remedies offer relief from constipation, but consult your doctor before using them. The FDA does not oversee the production and sale of most herbs, so there is no assurance of safety or purity.
Significance
Chronic constipation may lead to hard stools that tear the anus during expulsion or result in fecal impaction, advises the Mayo Clinic. Herbal laxatives, if used as recommended by a doctor, may prevent occasional constipation. Frequent use of herbal laxatives, however, may result in lazy bowel syndrome, in which the patient becomes dependent upon the laxative to have a bowel movement.
Use
Herbal laxatives are beneficial for correcting occasional irregularity when there is no underlying medical condition. Follow the dosage recommendations on the package or consult your doctor for individual instructions.
Types
Psyllium husks, available in grocery stores, are a common herbal laxative that absorbs liquid in the intestine, creating bulkier and softer stools, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." Flax seeds act in the same manner as psyllium, in addition to producing mucilage, a slippery substance that makes bowel movements smoother. Aloe vera gel increases stool volume and blocks the intestines from absorbing liquid from the stools. Cascara sagrada increases stool volume and stimulates intestinal contractions, inducing bowel movements. Castor oil, extracted from the seed of the castor plant, is also a stimulant laxative, according to the Gale Encyclopedia.
Considerations
The Mayo Clinic advises patients to consult their doctors before using laxatives if they have a history of heart or kidney disease or if they are experiencing abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or nausea. If constipation persists after a week of using herbal laxatives, call your doctor. Mother Nature.com advises patients to consume a healthy diet as an alternative to herbal laxative use, if possible.
Warning
Herbal laxatives can help those who experience constipation, but the Mayo Clinic warns that they may also carry risks. Dependence on herbal laxatives may increase the risk of a potassium deficiency and using herbal laxatives to correct constipation that is a result of a medical disorder may prolong a medical diagnosis. Consult your doctor before using an herbal remedy to treat constipation.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Constipation
- “PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition”; Joerg Gruenwald, PhD, 2000
- Mother Nature: Adult Constipation
- Mayo Clinic: Constipation—Over-the-counter laxatives for constipation: Use with caution.
