Help For Constipation

 

 

Not everyone's perception of bowel regularity is the same. While one person may expect to have a bowel movement every day, another individual is perfectly content with a movement every three or four days.  Constipation is not merely defined by a reduction in the frequency of bowel movements, although that is one criterion. Rather, it involves a sensation of incomplete emptying, straining to evacuate the bowel, and hard or lumpy stools. People who feel constipated often turn to herbal remedies for relief.

Demulcents

A demulcent is an agent that soothes and protects your mucous membranes. Herbs that are rich in mucilage, such as plantain, fenugreek, chickweed, slippery elm, mullein and marshmallow, and foods that contain pectin, such as apples, plums and guavas, are examples of demulcents. While they are not laxatives, per se, they improve bowel function by coating and lubricating the inner lining of your gut.

Stimulants

Some herbs help to stimulate muscular activity in your intestine, which improves bowel activity and increases the frequency of bowel movements. Senna, cascara, buckthorn, rhubarb and aloe are stimulants, according to nutritional expert Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Dosages of stimulant herbs vary, depending on the type of herb and the concentration of the preparation. Stimulants can generate excessive bowel activity, which may result in abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte depletion.

 

 

Bulking Agents

Some herbal preparations act as bulk-forming agents. They help to retain moisture in your intestine, thereby softening your stool and increasing its volume. A softer, bulkier stool is more easily propelled through your gut. Psyllium husks, kelp, bran and hibiscus are all plant-derived bulking agents. Bulking agents help to re-establish normal intestinal motility in chronic cases of constipation, and they may even prove useful for people suffering from intermittent diarrhea. Bulking agents tend to cause fewer side effects than stimulants, so they can usually be used for longer periods of time without causing problems.

 

 

Bitters

The presence of bitter-tasting compounds at the back of your tongue triggers reflexes from your brain, which stimulate bowel activity. This is one of the reasons black coffee gets people's bowels working in the morning. Bitter agents also increase the flow of bile into your intestine, which further stimulates bowel activity. Any child who has touched a dandelion stem to his tongue knows that this herb possesses remarkable bitter properties. Goldenseal and Oregon grape are bitter herbs that may be useful for constipation.

 

 

Considerations

Constipation can result from a variety of factors. Many causes, such as reduced fluid intake, physical inactivity or a change in diet, are benign and usually self-limiting. Others, such as hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal masses, may merit medical attention.