Constipation: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Constipation is a common digestive disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements, often defined as fewer than three bowel movements per week, accompanied by hard, dry, or lumpy stools.

It can be caused by various factors, including a low-fiber diet, inadequate hydration, physical inactivity, stress, and certain medical conditions. If left untreated, constipation can lead to serious health complications, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and even bowel obstruction.

To alleviate constipation, herbal remedies like senna, psyllium, and aloe vera can be effective. Medicinal preparations like castor oil and herbal teas can also provide relief.

However, when using medicinal herbs, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper dosages to avoid interactions with other medications and potential side effects.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of constipation, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of constipation?

The main causes of constipation are multifaceted, encompassing physical, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

Approximately 20% of the global population experiences constipation due to low dietary fiber intake, with the recommended daily intake being 25-30 grams. Reduced physical activity, particularly in older adults, contributes to constipation, as it decreases bowel movements and increases straining during defecation. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and thyroid disorders also play a significant role in constipation, affecting bowel motility and water absorption.

Additionally, certain medications, such as opioids and anticholinergics, can slow bowel movements and exacerbate constipation, affecting up to 40% of patients taking these medications.

• Low Fiber: Eating a diet low in fiber can lead to constipation because fiber helps to add bulk to stool, making it easier to pass, and also helps to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that aid in digestion.
• Dehydration: Dehydration can cause constipation because water helps to soften stool and move it through the digestive system, and without enough fluids, stool can become hard and difficult to pass.
• Medications: Certain medications such as painkillers, antidepressants, and iron supplements can cause constipation by decreasing gut motility, slowing down the movement of food through the digestive system.
• Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to constipation because physical activity helps to stimulate the movement of food through the digestive system and promote regular bowel movements.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can cause constipation due to changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can slow down the movement of food through the digestive system.
• Aging: Constipation is more common in older adults because the muscles in the digestive system weaken with age, leading to slower movement of food through the digestive system and harder stool.
• Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can cause constipation due to inflammation, scar tissue, or damage to the nerves and muscles in the digestive system.
• Nerve Damage: Damage to the nerves that control the muscles in the digestive system, such as in diabetic neuropathy or multiple sclerosis, can lead to constipation because the muscles in the digestive system are unable to contract and move food through the system.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and Parkinson's disease can cause constipation due to changes in the levels of hormones or neurotransmitters that regulate bowel movements.
• Genetic Factors: Some people may be born with a genetic predisposition to constipation due to inherited traits such as a slower digestive system or a more sensitive nervous system.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for constipation?

The main medicinal herbs used for constipation are Magnolia officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Cassia angustifolia, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Foeniculum vulgare, Plantago ovata, Cassia auriculata, Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale, Aloe barbadensis.

Magnolia officinalis contains magnolol and honokiol, which have a laxative effect by enhancing intestinal motility and inhibiting the contraction of intestinal smooth muscle. Terminalia chebula has been shown to increase the frequency and number of bowel movements by enhancing the intestinal motility and reducing the constipation score. Cassia angustifolia has been traditionally used to treat constipation due to its ability to increase the intestinal motility and water absorption in the colon, while Glycyrrhiza glabra has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the gut.

Additionally, Foeniculum vulgare, Plantago ovata, Cassia auriculata, Rheum palmatum, Rheum officinale, and Aloe barbadensis have been traditionally used to treat constipation by stimulating bowel movements, reducing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

• Magnolia officinalis: Magnolia officinalis helps with constipation due to its high content of magnolol and honokiol, which have a laxative effect and stimulate bowel movements by increasing the muscle contractions of the intestinal tract.
• Terminalia chebula: Terminalia chebula is used to treat constipation because of its high content of chebulinic acid, which acts as a laxative and enhances the absorption of water in the colon, thereby softening and facilitating the passage of stool.
• Cassia angustifolia: Cassia angustifolia helps with constipation due to its sennosides, which are anthraquinone glycosides that stimulate bowel movements and increase the muscle contractions of the intestinal tract, promoting the elimination of hardened feces.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra is used to treat constipation because of its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to increase the production of bile, which helps to soften and move stool through the digestive system.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare helps with constipation due to its essential oils, which have a carminative effect and help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, thereby facilitating the passage of stool and relieving constipation.
• Plantago ovata: Plantago ovata is used to treat constipation because of its seeds, which are high in mucilage, a substance that helps to soften and lubricate the stool, making it easier to pass and relieving constipation.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata helps with constipation due to its anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel movements and increase the muscle contractions of the intestinal tract, promoting the elimination of hardened feces and relieving constipation.
• Rheum palmatum: Rheum palmatum is used to treat constipation because of its anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel movements and increase the muscle contractions of the intestinal tract, promoting the elimination of hardened feces and relieving constipation.
• Rheum officinale: Rheum officinale helps with constipation due to its anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel movements and increase the muscle contractions of the intestinal tract, promoting the elimination of hardened feces and relieving constipation.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis is used to treat constipation because of its gel, which has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to stimulate bowel movements, thereby relieving constipation and promoting the regular passage of stool.

What are the main herbal preparations used for constipation?

The main herbal preparations used for constipation are Decoction, Tincture, Tea, Suppository, Capsule, Powder, Pills, Cream, Elixir, Gel.

Decoction of herbs like Senna, Cassia and Rhubarb root can stimulate bowel movements by increasing water and electrolyte absorption in the intestines. Tincture and Tea of herbs like Senna, Cassia, and Triphala can help regulate bowel movements by increasing the frequency and reducing the frequency of hard stools. Herbal Suppositories made from Psyllium, Senna, and Triphala can help soften and stimulate bowel movements.

Capsule, Powder, Pills, Cream, Elixir, and Gel preparations of herbs like Psyllium, Aloe, and Triphala can help regulate bowel movements by softening stool, increasing fiber intake, and stimulating bowel contractions.

• Decoction: A decoction of Senna Alexandrina helps with constipation because its anthraquinone glycosides, such as sennosides A and B, stimulate bowel movements by increasing water and electrolyte secretion into the colon.
• Tincture: A tincture of Prunus africana helps with constipation because its beta-sitosterol stimulates the muscles of the digestive tract and increases the frequency of bowel movements.
• Tea: A tea made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis helps with constipation because its theaflavins and thearubigins increase gut motility and relax the muscles of the digestive tract.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the resin of Croton lechleri helps with constipation by directly stimulating the muscles of the rectum and anus to promote bowel movements.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the powdered root of Rheum palmatum helps with constipation because its anthraquinone glycosides, such as rhein and aloe-emodin, stimulate bowel movements by increasing water and electrolyte secretion into the colon.
• Powder: A powder made from the dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with constipation because its glycyrrhizin increases the secretion of bile into the digestive tract, stimulating bowel movements.
• Pills: Pills made from the seeds of Psyllium sativum help with constipation because their soluble fiber increases the bulk of stool and softens its texture, making it easier to pass.
• Cream: A cream made from the oil of Cuminum cyminum helps with constipation because its carvone stimulates the muscles of the digestive tract and increases the frequency of bowel movements.
• Elixir: An elixir made from the root of Asclepias syriaca helps with constipation because its cardenolides increase the secretion of water and electrolytes into the colon, stimulating bowel movements.
• Gel: A gel made from the sap of Aloe barbadensis helps with constipation because its aloe-emodin stimulates bowel movements by increasing water and electrolyte secretion into the colon.