Laxatives

Laxative: induces bowel movement, relieving constipation

Laxative/Aperients cause bowel evacuation due to their stimulating, moistening, or bulking nature. A laxative promotes normal bowel defecation and relieves constipation, which can be caused by a variety of reasons. Therefore, practitioners should carefully choose the right type of laxative depending on the root cause of constipation.

Examples:

Bulking Laxatives:

Bulking laxatives work as fiber, creating a softer, bulked-up stool. They also work as a prebiotic, supporting the good bacteria in the gut.

  • Aloe vera (aloe) latex

  • Althea officinalis (marshmallow root)

  • Avena sativa (oat seed or bran)

  • Linum usitatissimum (flax)

  • Plantago psyllium (psyllium seed or husks)

  • Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek)

  • Ulmus spp. (slippery elm bark)

Cathartic Laxatives:

Cathartic laxatives/Purgatives stimulate drastic bowel evacuation.

  • Aloe vera (aloe) latex

  • Cassia angustifolia (Senna alexandrina) (senna)

  • Rhamnus frangula (Frangula purshiana) (buckthorn)

  • Rhamnus purshiana (cascara)

  • Ricinus communis (castor oil, orally)

Stool Moisteners:

Stool moisteners increase moisture in the stool, relieving constipation. Mucilaginous herbs and oily seeds are stool moisteners. Cholagogues or choleretics can also provide lubrication by increasing bile production. All adrenal supportive herbs can be used to moisten the stool if the lack of moisture in the stool is related to adrenal fatigue/exhaustion. Drinking more water is also a great way to naturally moisten hard, impacted stool.

  • Water

  • Mucilaginous herbs:

    • Aloe vera (aloe) latex

    • Linum usitatissimum (flax)

    • Plantago psyllium (psyllium seed or husks)

    • Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek)

Stimulating Laxatives:

Stimulating laxatives increase bowel movement activity when the cause of constipation is due to insufficient peristalsis.

Strong Stimulating Laxatives:

  • Aloe vera (aloe) latex

  • Cassia angustifolia (Senna alexandrina) (senna)

  • Rhamnus frangula (buckthorn)

  • Rhamnus purshiana (cascara)

  • Rheum officinalis (rhubarb)

Mild Stimulating Laxatives:

  • Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium (Oregon grape root)

  • Rumex crispus (yellow dock)

  • Taraxacum officinalis (dandelion)