Herbal Constipation Remedies Your Mother Didn’t know about-3

Method 41: Triphala

Here is a well-known and popular India Ayurvedic herbal product that is available on the Internet and perhaps some India food stores.

It is called Triphala. It is effective as a laxative and also has many other benefits such as:

• Improves liver function and digestion
• Reduces high blood pressure and serum cholesterol
• Triphala consists of 3 of the tree fruits of triphala- harada, Amla, and bihara

Harada is used to treat chronic and acute constipation and anxiety. Amla, known for its high vitamin C content and is used to treat body imbalances in the liver, stomach, and intestines. It also fights infections throughout the body. Bihara is used to balance and purify excess mucus in the body and especially in the intestines and colon.

• Use Triphala for two-three weeks and longer if necessary. This is one combination that you can use for 2-3 months at a time.
• Mix a 1/2 teaspoon of triphala powder with 8 oz of warm water and drink just before bedtime
• Or, take 2 capsules in the morning and 2 capsules just before you go to bed.

Method 42: Cabe Jawa

Cabe Jawa is a remedy for constipation from Indonesian. It is prepared as follows:

In a glass of 8oz of boiling distilled water with ½ lemon squeezed, add a pinch of ground black pepper and cayenne. Then sip slowly until it is gone.

Method 43: Ghee and Milk

Combining Ghee and milk can be used in mild cases of constipation.

Mix one teaspoon of ghee or clarified butter with 8 oz of boiled milk. Drink just before bedtime. Milk has to be boiled to break down the protein and to make the milk more digestible.

Method 44: Herbal Laxative Combination

I have found herbal laxative combinations to be effective in clearing constipation. As with many herbal products, stools can be soft and sometimes runny. As you come off these herbal products your stools will normalize. But you can add a bulking product like Psyllium Seed or Hulk to make your stool harder when using herbs. But, better yet you can eat more vegetables and fruits or bran.

Use 1 big Tablespoon of Psyllium seeds with one glass of water 2-3 times each day. Psyllium seeds absorb water and make your stools less runny. In addition, they sweep across your colon walls removing old fecal matter, mucus, and other toxin. This is useful when you have diverticulosis as it helps to pull toxins out of these pockets.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a gentle but active laxative when used in small amounts and is considered safe enough for infants. If you use large amounts, it has a strong purgative action. By mixing herbs, you get herbs working together to produce better healing action on the body.

Here’s a formula that contains rhubarb:

• Rhubarb root -1 part
• Cascara sagrada – 1 part
• Ginger-1 part
• Licorice- 1 part
• Barberry- 2 parts
• Dandelion – 2 parts

Simmer a cup of this tea and drink just before going to bed.

Method 45: Catherine’s’ Bowel Movers

In her book, The Herb Lady’s Notebook, 1984- 1993, Venus Catherine Andrecht, list some bowel combinations that she uses and recommends to others. She says, “You don’t need an exotic cleanse to see results. I’d choose one of the following combinations.”

Combination C-5  

• Pumpkin Seeds     
• Culver’s Root
• Mandrake Root
• Violet Leaves
• Comfrey Root
• Comfrey Root
• Cascara Sagrada
• Witch Hazel Bark
• Mullein Leaves
• Slippery Elm Bar
• Cascara sagrada
• Ginger root
• Goldenseal             
• Slippery elm, turkey rhubarb
• Wahoo 1/4 part
• Culver’s root 1/4 part

Combination C-6  

• Cascara Sagrada
• Bark
• Buckthorn Bark
• Licorice Root
• Capsicum Fruit
• Ginger Root
• Barberry
• Couch- Grass Herb
• Red Clover Tops
• Lobelia Herb

Combination C-7

• Cascara S.B.
• Rhubarb Root
• Golden Seal
• Capsicum Fruit
• Barberry Root
• Root Bark
• Lobelia Herb
• Fennel Seeds
• Red Raspberry

Here is an herbal tea that is recommended by David Hoffmann, in his book, New Holistic Herbal, 1990.

It is a moderate laxative tea combination which provides peristaltic movement by slightly irritating your colon walls and by promoting the release of digestive juice.

Drink this tea just before bedtime.

Barberry                                2 parts

Boldo or Dandelion             2 parts

Cascara Sagrada                   1 part

Liquorice                               1 part

Rhubarb Root                       1 part

Ginger or Fennel                  1 part

Health Alert: Some times, herbs can interact negatively with medications to produce a side effect that can be dangerous.

Some herbs are not properly prepared in standard strength or quality and will not provide you with any benefits of the real herb. As you buy herb products you will become familiar with the companies that produce quality organic products.

Children’s Remedy- Cumin Oil

Using Certain Herbs

Health Tip: Certain herbs such as aloe vera, buckthorn, cascara sagrada, frangula, and senna have powerful laxative action. The chemicals called anthraquinones activate this action. Use these herbs as a last resort when trying to clear your constipation.

Health Alert: When these herbs are used too long they can become habit-forming. Use these herbs only if they have been aged. Fresh herbs of this type can irritate your digestive tract and cause vomiting and bloody stools or diarrhea.