Guest guest Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 Just got this in my newsletter! Laxative Herbal Remedies for Constipation Editor's Note: Do NOT try these home remedies without consulting a health professional to make sure they are appropriate for you. When your body is too constipated, you may feel extremely bloated so you start looking for immediate sources of relief. Fortunately, there are many, completely natural ways to relieve constipation. One of the best -- and cheapest and easiest -- is to simply drink some fruit juice. Grape juice or prune juice are excellent choices which often work very fast. There are also many herbs which can be used to help relieve constipation quickly as well. Cascara sagrada, for instance, is an herb used primarily as a natural laxative. It's been used by Native Americans for centuries. It's also known to some as "The Sacred Bark" and also the californian buckthorn. This herb is known to help increase bile production in the liver, as well as secretions of the stomach, pancreas, and lower bowel. It promotes contractions of the bowel, or peristaltic action, which is what causes you have the urge to have a bowel movement. Warning: Cascara sagrada is not believed to be habit forming by many herbalists. Most doctors and modern medical specialists will warn you about using herbal laxatives, though, because they assume the affects and dangers are the same as with prescription or over the counter medications. And while this can be true for some herbal laxatives, it's not always the case. Worried about trying herbs that may have you straddling the toilet for a couple hours? Take a look at Ultimate Colon Cleanse, a natural detoxing colon-cleansing program that's one of our most popular sponsored products. - Editors Senna is another strong herbal laxative, and it is a purgative. This herb is often taken in tea form, and it also causes peristaltic contractions. Many people swear by how well this herb works, but they also note that it can make you feel very sick, and that you shouldn't be away from the bathroom for a couple of hours after taking it. If senna makes you nauseous, adding a bit of ginger or cinnamon can sometimes help. Slippery elm is another wonderful herb that works for both constipation and diarrhea, because it normalizes the stools while soothing and coating the intestinal tract lining. Slippery elm should be taken with lots of water to help move it through your system. Any kind of bulk fiber supplement or food source will usually get your bowels moving fairly soon too. If you've been constipated for several days -- or weeks -- this approach might take some time. A faster approach would be to take herbal supplements which are high in Chlorophyll content, such as parsley or alfalfa. Chlorophyll acts as a "broom" inside your colon, and helps get things moving fairly quickly after taking it. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ http://360./suziesgoats Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2007 Report Share Posted June 27, 2007 Cascara sagrada - boy does that bring back "productive" memories! My grammy always had this in her medicine chest. She was from Candiohi, Minnesota and born in 1896. Sure wish I could remember some of her other remedies. Think I'll check with my cousins and see if they remember any. Shari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.