Psyllium is a fiber supplement that acts as a bulk-forming fiber laxative used to relieve both constipation and diarrhea. Psyllium husk comes from a plant and is processed into a powder that can be found in granular or gel tablet form. Taking...
You've probably heard that you need to consume more fiber to maintain regularity and lower your cholesterol, but if you use too much Metamucil you may overdose, leading to serious health concerns. Before taking Metamucil, you need to discuss your...
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is generally a safe home remedy for many of the discomforts of pregnancy. Like any drug, you should discuss epsom salt with your doctor before use, and use it only as directed. In cases of severe eclampsia,...
Not all laxatives work the same way, reports MayoClinic.com. Laxatives that contain magnesium hydroxide are meant to be taken on a short-term basis to encourage bowel movements or prevent constipation. Magnesium hydroxide, which may also go by the...
Bisacodyl is an over-the-counter drug that is part of several different brand name products. Bisacodyl is a laxative prescribed for a few different situations. Taking laxatives for reasons other than their prescribed reason may be dangerous and...
Cascara sagrada has a long history of use for a variety of purposes, namely treating constipation. In 2002, the FDA ruled cascara sagrada laxative products were not safe and effective. If looking to treat constipation naturally, you might try...
The apple cider gallstone flush is a version of the gallbladder flush -- also known as a liver flush or gallbladder cleanse – which is an alternative remedy designed to dissolve and flush gallstones out of your gallbladder. Ingredients added...
"Liver cleanses" that involve drinking oil and juice are an alternative remedy for both liver stones, formed in the liver, and gallstones, formed in the gallbladder. There is no evidence these cleanses, called liver or gallbladder...
Adequate daily fiber intake helps maintain digestive regularity and promotes cardiovascular health, but too much fiber may result in stomach cramps, diarrhea and excessive gas. If you're using fiber to treat constipation or another medical...
While psyllium husk is considered generally safe, consuming too much can lead to an overdose and life-threatening symptoms. Psyllium husk is commonly used to treat occasional constipation and may be used to treat diarrhea. Do not use psyllium husk...
Corn syrup was once a common home remedy for infant constipation. Corn syrup added to an infant’s bottle would prompt a bowel movement, but medical authorities no longer consider this treatment to be an effective remedy—for infants or...
If you've developed painful gallstones in your gallbladder, you may be considering a flush or cleanse that involves drinking Epsom salts, citrus juice and oil. Discuss this unproven and potentially dangerous alternative remedy with your doctor....
Glycerin sweetens cough syrups, makes hand lotions more effective and keeps commercial baked goods tender. When taken as a suppository, the non-toxic and water-soluble compound acts as a laxative. Like many other laxatives, glycerin can cause...
Laxatives are over-the-counter medications used to help relieve constipation. These medications can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription and are sometimes abused by people who believe they will help them lose weight. At other times...
Surgery is the most common treatment for gallstones, but doctors sometimes prescribe drugs designed to dissolve these hard particles. Medications do not always work, and if gallstones are causing you extreme pain, fever or jaundice, surgery may be...
Fiber supplements augment your stool bulk, which helps keep your bowels moving regularly. Dietary or supplemental fiber also traps a portion of the cholesterol in your intestines, which may reduce your total blood cholesterol level. Although...
Lemon juice, when combined with olive oil, is an alternative treatment for dissolving gallstones. It is not, however, a medically recommended or scientifically proven treatment option. Gallstones may be a symptom of gallbladder disease, which may...
Apple juice, combined with olive oil, is used as a home remedy as a "gallbladder cleanse," intended to dissolve gallstones. Typical medical treatment for gallstones includes surgery, drugs and shock wave therapy. Before you try an...
Citrus juice, such as lemon juice, and oil, such as olive or vegetable oil, comprise the main ingredients in a gallbladder flush, an unproven home remedy to remove gallstones from your gallbladder. Some gallbladder flushes include Epsom salts,...
Surgery is the most common treatment for gallstones, hard deposits formed by cholesterol or bilirubin and calcium salts in your gallbladder. If you're considering a lime juice cleanse as an alternative remedy, discuss your plan with a qualified...
Herbalists have recommended olive oil and lemon juice cleanses for more than 50 years, but no reliable evidence exists that drinking the concoction will dissolve gallstones. This alternative gallstone remedy, also known as a gallbladder cleanse or...
Eating apples or drinking apple juice -- organic or not -- may help protect you against cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well as lung and colon cancer, according to a 2008 article in the medical journal "Planta Medica." But no...
A gallbladder attack is characterized by inflammation in your gallbladder, typically caused by a gallstone obstructing a path in your gallbladder. You will experience pain, possibly severe, in the upper right side of your abdomen. If stones block...
If you want to avoid the expense, recovery time and possible complications from gallbladder surgery, you might be considering an alternative treatment such as a liver and gallbladder flush. A flush or cleanse involves drinking olive oil and lemon...
Magnesium citrate treats constipation and empties the bowels when medically necessary. Although your body requires a certain amount of magnesium, an excess of magnesium citrate can cause health problems ranging from minor to life-threatening. For...
Senna alexandrina is a plant popular with dieters for its laxative and stimulant properties. Senna contains anthraquinone, which acts as a purgative and is also present in other natural laxatives like rhubarb and aloe. Senna is frequently brewed...
Tylenol, a brand name for the generic drug acetaminophen, is a common medication used by many Americans to treat pain. Tylenol is a safe medication when taken as directed on the drug label; however, more than 4g of Tylenol per day can cause...
Baking soda and Epsom salts are inexpensive and employed as internal and external home health remedies for a variety of everyday ailments. Baking soda is a commonly carried item in supermarkets and Epsom salts are easily found at the drugstore....
Your body needs the recommended amount of magnesium, since this mineral has many important roles in the function of your heart, kidneys, muscles and other organs. However, taking too much can cause adverse side effects and put your health at risk....