Constipation - Supplements

Find comfort from constipation, a change in normal bowel habits characterized by a decrease in frequency and passage of hard, dry stools. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Try a bulk laxative
For results within 12 to 24 hours, take 5 to 10 grams per day of psyllium husk or 3 to 4 grams per day of glucomannan mixed in water, followed by a second glass of water
Get more fiber and water in your diet
To increase stool bulk, include more vegetables, beans, bran, flaxseed, and whole grains in your diet; don’t forget to drink more water when you increase fiber intake
Get a checkup
Constipation that starts suddenly should be evaluated by a doctor to make sure no serious diseases are the cause

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botanicals,
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About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

Supplement	Amount	Why
Aloe	50 to 200 mg of aloe latex once per day for a maximum of ten days	Aloe is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution.
Aloe 50 to 200 mg of aloe latex once per day for a maximum of ten days For constipation, a single 50 to 200 mg capsule of aloe latex can be taken each day for a maximum of ten days. The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Cascara	20 to 30 mg of cascarosides per day for no more than ten days	Cascara is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions. Cascara has a milder action compared to other stimulant herbs.
Cascara 20 to 30 mg of cascarosides per day for no more than ten days Only the dried form of cascara should be used. Capsules providing 20 to 30 mg of cascarosides per day can be used. However, the smallest amount necessary to maintain soft stool should be used.¹⁴ As a tincture, 1/4 to 1 teaspoon (1–5 ml) per day is generally taken. It is important to drink eight 6-ounce (180 ml) glasses of water throughout the day while using cascara. Cascara should be taken consecutively for no longer than eight to ten days.¹⁵ The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Flaxseed	1 Tbsp (15 ml) whole or ground with a full glass of water, one or two times per day	Flaxseed is a mild bulk-forming laxative that’s best suited for long-term use in people with constipation.
Flaxseed 1 Tbsp (15 ml) whole or ground with a full glass of water, one or two times per day The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Bulk-forming laxatives come from plants with a high fiber and mucilage content that expand when they come in contact with water; examples include psyllium, flaxseed, and fenugreek. As the volume in the bowel increases, a reflex muscular contraction occurs, stimulating a bowel movement. These mild laxatives are best suited for long-term use in people with constipation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Glucomannan	3 to 4 grams daily in water, followed by a second glass of water	Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that has shown to be effective as a bulk-forming laxative.
Glucomannan 3 to 4 grams daily in water, followed by a second glass of water Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber that is derived from konjac root. Like other sources of fiber, such as psyllium and fenugreek, glucomannan is considered a bulk-forming laxative. A preliminary trial¹⁶ and several double-blind trials¹⁷^{, 18}^{, 19}^{, 20} have found glucomannan to be an effective treatment for constipation. The amount of glucomannan shown to be effective as a laxative is 3 to 4 grams per day. In constipated people, glucomannan and other bulk-forming laxatives generally help produce a bowel movement within 12 to 24 hours. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Psyllium	5 to 10 grams daily in water, followed by a second glass of water	Psyllium is a mild bulk-forming laxative that’s best suited for long-term use in people with constipation.
Psyllium 5 to 10 grams daily in water, followed by a second glass of water The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Bulk-forming laxatives come from plants with a high fiber and mucilage content that expand when they come in contact with water; examples include psyllium, flaxseed, and fenugreek. As the volume in the bowel increases, a reflex muscular contraction occurs, stimulating a bowel movement. These mild laxatives are best suited for long-term use in people with constipation. Many doctors recommend taking 7.5 grams of psyllium seeds or 5 grams of psyllium husks, mixed with water or juice, one to two times per day. Some doctors use a combination of senna (18%) and psyllium (82%) for the treatment of chronic constipation. This has been shown to work effectively for people in nursing homes with chronic constipation.²¹ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Senna	20 to 60 mg of sennosides per day for no more than ten days	Senna is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions. Senna is the most popular of these stimulant herbs.
Senna 20 to 60 mg of sennosides per day for no more than ten days Senna contains hydroxyanthracene glycosides known as sennosides. These glycosides stimulate colon activity and thus have a laxative effect. Also, these glycosides increase fluid secretion by the colon, with the effect of softening the stool and increasing its bulk.¹ Double-blind trials have confirmed the benefit of senna in treating constipation.²² ^{, 23}Constipation induced by drugs such as the anti-diarrhea medicine loperamide (Imodium) has also been shown to be improved by senna in a clinical trial.²⁴ The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Bulk-forming laxatives come from plants with a high fiber and mucilage content that expand when they come in contact with water; examples include psyllium, flaxseed, and fenugreek. As the volume in the bowel increases, a reflex muscular contraction occurs, stimulating a bowel movement. These mild laxatives are best suited for long-term use in people with constipation. Many doctors recommend taking 7.5 grams of psyllium seeds or 5 grams of psyllium husks, mixed with water or juice, one to two times per day. Some doctors use a combination of senna (18%) and psyllium (82%) for the treatment of chronic constipation. This has been shown to work effectively for people in nursing homes with chronic constipation.²⁵ Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Alder Buckthorn	20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) per day	Alder buckthorn is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions.
Alder Buckthorn 20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) per day Only the dried form of alder buckthorn should be used. Capsules providing 20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) per day can be used; however, the smallest amount necessary to maintain regular bowel movements should be used.²⁶ As a tincture, 5 ml once at bedtime is generally taken. Alder buckthorn is usually taken at bedtime to induce a bowel movement by morning. It is important to drink eight six-ounce glasses of water throughout the day while taking alder buckthorn, and to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Alder buckthorn should be taken for a maximum of eight to ten days consecutively or else it can lead to dependence on it to have a bowel movement.²⁷ Some people take peppermint tea or capsules with alder buckthorn to prevent griping, an unpleasant sensation of strong contractions in the colon sometimes induced by the herb. The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Basil	Take as tea (2 tsp in 2 cups of water), or as a tincture or capsules (follow label instructions)	Basil seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study.
Basil Take as tea (2 tsp in 2 cups of water), or as a tincture or capsules (follow label instructions) The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study.²⁸ A similar study showed the seeds to be useful following major surgery for elderly people with constipation.²⁹Alginic acid, one of the major constituents in bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), is a type of dietary fiber that may be used to relieve constipation. However, human studies have not been conducted on the effectiveness of bladderwrack for this condition. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Buckthorn	20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) daily	Buckthorn is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions.
Buckthorn 20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) daily Only the dried form of buckthorn berries and bark should be used. Capsules providing 20 to 30 mg of anthraquinone glycosides (calculated as glucofrangulin A) per day can be used; however, the smallest amount necessary to maintain regular bowel movements should be used.³⁰ As a tincture, 5 ml once at bedtime is generally taken. Usually buckthorn is taken at bedtime, so it will have time to act and by morning a bowel movement is induced. It is important to drink eight six-ounce glasses of water throughout the day while taking buckthorn, and to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Buckthorn should be taken for a maximum of eight to ten days consecutively or else it can lead to dependence on it to have a bowel movement.³¹ Some people take peppermint tea or capsules with buckthorn to prevent griping, an unpleasant sensation of strong contractions in the colon sometimes induced by buckthorn. The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn(Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum). What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Rhubarb	Follow label instructions	Rhubarb is considered a stimulant laxative because it stimulates bowel muscle contractions.
Rhubarb Follow label instructions The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Stimulant laxatives are high in anthraquinone glycosides, which stimulate bowel muscle contraction. The most frequently used stimulant laxatives are senna leaves, cascara bark, and aloe latex. While senna is the most popular, cascara has a somewhat milder action. Aloe is very potent and should be used with caution. Other stimulant laxatives include buckthorn, alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula), and rhubarb (Rheum officinale, R. palmatum).

Supplement	Amount	Why
Bladderwrack	Refer to label instructions	Alginic acid, one of the major constituents in bladderwrack, is a type of dietary fiber that may be used to relieve constipation.
Bladderwrack The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) seed has been found to relieve constipation by acting as a bulk-forming laxative in one preliminary study.³² A similar study showed the seeds to be useful following major surgery for elderly people with constipation.³³Alginic acid, one of the major constituents in bladderwrack(Fucus vesiculosus), is a type of dietary fiber that may be used to relieve constipation. However, human studies have not been conducted on the effectiveness of bladderwrack for this condition. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Chlorophyll	Refer to label instructions	Chlorophyll, the substance responsible for the green color in plants, has been shown to ease chronic constipation in elderly people.
Chlorophyll Chlorophyll, the substance responsible for the green color in plants, may be useful for a number of gastrointestinal problems. In a preliminary trial, chlorophyll supplementation eased chronic constipation in elderly people.³⁴ What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Dandelion	Refer to label instructions	The bitter compounds in dandelion leaves and root are also mild laxatives.
Dandelion The unprocessed roots of fo-ti possess a mild laxative effect. The bitter compounds in dandelion leaves and root are also mild laxatives. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Fenugreek	Refer to label instructions	Fenugreek is a mild bulk-forming laxative that’s best suited for long-term use in people with constipation.
Fenugreek The laxatives most frequently used world-wide come from plants. Herbal laxatives are either bulk-forming or stimulating. Bulk-forming laxatives come from plants with a high fiber and mucilage content that expand when they come in contact with water; examples include psyllium, flaxseed, and fenugreek. As the volume in the bowel increases, a reflex muscular contraction occurs, stimulating a bowel movement. These mild laxatives are best suited for long-term use in people with constipation. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Fo-Ti	Refer to label instructions	The unprocessed roots of fo-ti possess a mild laxative effect.
Fo-Ti The unprocessed roots of fo-ti possess a mild laxative effect. The bitter compounds in dandelion leaves and root are also mild laxatives. What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

Supplement	Amount	Why
Psyllium (Parkinson’s Disease)	3 to 5 grams taken at night with a one to two glasses of fluid	Preliminary research has shown that psyllium seed husks improve constipation and bowel function in people with Parkinson’s disease and constipation.
Psyllium 3 to 5 grams taken at night with a one to two glasses of fluid Doctors recommend that people with Parkinson’s disease supplement with fiber and maintain adequate fluid intake to reduce constipation associated with this disease.³⁵ ^{Preliminary research has shown that psyllium seed husks improve constipation and bowel function in people with Parkinson’s disease and constipation.³⁶ A typical recommendation for psyllium seed husks is 3 to 5 grams taken at night with a one to two glasses of fluid.} What Else Is This Supplement Used For?

References

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

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