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Health

Medicinal plants against constipation

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Very often, a person does not want to immediately use chemicals to treat constipation. And then he comes to the aid of medicinal plants. What are the properties of medicinal plants against constipation and how to apply them correctly?

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General information about plants

Antroglycosides, dietary fiber, vitamins, mucus and trace elements in medicinal preparations from plants are able to create a laxative effect. Such substances can act on the mechanism of development of constipation, can strengthen intestinal contractions, eliminate pain, increase and thin the fecal masses, reduce inflammation in the intestinal mucosa.

How are plant preparations classified?

By their nature, preparations from plants used to eliminate constipation are divided into several groups. Medicinal plants used as a laxative to call stool, it is not recommended to use constantly. In order to maintain the bowels, it is recommended to use drugs with mild laxative properties. Then they will have a mild effect on the intestines. Another group consists of plant carminatives, they are able to eliminate flatulence and bloating, which usually accompany constipation.

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Medicinal plants giving a laxative effect

Most medicinal plants can be simply purchased at the nearest pharmacy. The main thing is to know how to take them and in what quantity. Naturally, you first need to consult a doctor, and only then take up the treatment of constipation with medicinal plants.

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Zhoster laxative (Rhamnus cathartica L.)

Zhoster is a small shrub or even a small tree up to 5 meters high with red-brown branches that often end in a thorn. Zhoster blooms from May to June. Zhostera fruits ripen in September. Zhoster grows in black earth areas, on slopes or hills. It is not hard to recognize their fruits - they are black, shiny and their fruit is called a drupe, these are fruits with an unpleasant odor and astringent taste. For medicinal purposes, this plant is used because of its content of antroglycosides, ramnetin flavonoid, zhosteran and fatty oils.

In chronic constipation, this plant is used to make a decoction or tincture. The laxative effect of this plant is very strong. It is not recommended to use Zhoster for a long time, as this plant is capable of poisoning the body. Sometimes Zoster bark is also used to treat constipation, because it contains tannins, but this is done extremely rarely.

Norway cassia (Cassia acutifolia L.)

This plant is referred to as legumes. In the wild form it can be found in Africa or India. In Russia, this plant is grown artificially for the production of drugs from it. For the manufacture of drugs used leaves and fruits of cassia (aka Alexandria leaf), as it contains antraglycosides. Made from cassia decoctions, extracts and tinctures. Besides the fact that this plant has a laxative effect on the digestive tract, it is also a choleretic drug. Intestinal relief occurs in 4-6 hours. Alexandria leaf may also have side effects, such as abdominal pain and flatulence, but they rarely appear and usually pass quickly.

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Buckthorn brittle or buckthorn alder (Frangula alnus Mill)

This plant looks like a small shrub or a tree with reddish shoots, with lots of light lentils. Buckthorn propagates with the help of seeds and sprouts. It grows in Russia. Used for the treatment of the bark of shoots, saturated with alkaloids, antraglycosides and organic acids. Tannins and vitamin C, as part of the plant, can have a therapeutic effect on the body. The buckthorn bark is not used immediately after it has been harvested; about two years should pass. And all this because freshly harvested bark, in addition to its laxative properties, can also show strong emetic properties.

Preparations made from buckthorn bark have laxative and anti-inflammatory effects that can heal wounds. Broth and buckthorn extract is used for chronic constipation. Very often, this plant is part of laxative teas and gastric fees. In the application of this plant there is one "but" - the buckthorn is contraindicated in pregnancy.

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Linen (usitatissimum L.)

Flax is an annual plant up to 60 centimeters in height, its stem is very thin and flutters to the top. The plant blooms with blue flowers, and on its stalk are lanceolate leaves. It is interesting that by the flowering of flax it is possible to determine the time, since they bloom at 6-7 am, and roll up at 16-17 hours. The flowering period of flax falls on June-July, and its fruits can be collected as early as August. The fruits of flax are like round boxes filled with seeds. Flax, as a cultivated plant, has been known for a long time. It was cultivated in Rome, Ancient Greece and Egypt, and in Russia this plant was grown only in the 13th century. In our time, flax can be found even on the side of the road in the form of a weed.

Flax seeds are very rich in chemical and biological substances: it contains 29% fatty oils, 12% mucus, 33% proteins, 26% carbohydrates, vitamin A, enzymes, organic acids and linamarin glycoside. Swollen flax seeds, getting into the intestine, lubricate it and have a laxative effect - loosen the contents in the intestine and activate the promotion of fecal masses in the intestine. Apply this plant for chronic constipation and bowel weakness.

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Rhein-tunneling (Rheum tanguticum maxim)

Tungus rhubarb is a common herbaceous plant with a dark-brown rhizome and a hollow stem that grows up to 3 meters. The stem is covered with large leaves and reddish specks. The leaves at the root are collected in the outlet and have fleshy petioles. The leaves of the stem - of smaller size have special sockets, along which rain water should flow to the base. Flowering rhubarb drops in June, he throws pinkish-white or reddish inflorescences. Fruits resembling triangular nuts ripen closer to July.

The special properties of this plant knew the Arabs for a long time. In the XIX century N.M. Przhevalsky brought rhubarb to Russia and since then it has been cultivated throughout Europe. In the wild state, rhubarb is almost impossible to meet, but it is cultivated by amateur gardeners and in medicinal farms in a cultural form.

Rhubarb root contains cathiegians, antraglycosides, resins, tanoglycosides, trace elements pigments. Used in the treatment of this plant in the form of extracts, decoctions, syrups and tinctures. Apply this plant for diseases of the stomach, constipation and other diseases of this type. Rhubarb root has astringent, laxative, choleretic and antibacterial properties. It is able to irritate the intestinal wall and strengthen its contractions, and this contributes to the movement of feces in the intestine.

Rhubarb petioles are also of great medicinal value. They contain vitamins, mineral salts, and various acids, so they taste like an apple. From these petioles prepare delicious compotes, jam, jam, marmalade and other sweets. But rhubarb is contraindicated during pregnancy and in diseases of the abdominal organs in acute form.

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Plants with mild laxative properties

For the treatment of constipation, sometimes plants can also be used that exhibit less identified laxative properties. But, despite this, they also have a positive effect on the intestines and digestion, especially if they are used in combination with any other herbal medicine.

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Althaea officinalis (Althaea officinalis L.)

If you notice at the height of summer on the banks of the water bodies of the plant, up to a meter and a half in height with light pink flowers, know that this is the Altea. A similar name arose as a result of the Greek "Altein", that is, to cure. The stem of the Althea is not branched, its lower part often stiffens and becomes covered with hairs. Althaea blooms in the period June-September, and brings fruits in October. It is widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe. Althaea is an endangered plant species, and therefore it is listed in the Red Book. Althea roots are used for treatment, after drying them. They contain aspargin, fatty oils, mucus, starch and mineral salts. You can use it in the form of powder, tincture, extract, decoction or syrup. Besides the fact that Althea root helps with constipation, it also has an expectorant effect.

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Highlander pochechuyny (Polygonum persicaria L.)

This herb, referring to buckwheat, grows up to 60 centimeters in height. The mountaineer is widespread in Siberia, in the Caucasus region and in the region of the Far East. The stem and leaves with flowers of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. The composition of the mountaineer includes mucus, essential oils, vitamins C and P and sugar. It is usually used as a tincture.

The properties of the mountaineer do not end with the fact that they can cure constipation. It is also able to restore blood formation, strengthens blood vessels and is an anti-inflammatory agent. The mountaineer is useful for constipation, which are accompanied by hemorrhoids and intestinal atony.

Kiprey narrow-leaved or Koporsky tea (Chamaenerion angustifolium)

This herb can grow to a meter and a half in height, its stem is erect, and the leaves are lanceolate. It blooms in July-August. Large purple-pink flowers are collected in a pointed brush on the top. The fruit of Koporsky tea is a box with small seeds. For the treatment of various diseases using different parts of this plant. A decoction of the leaves and inflorescences of fireweed are used in herbal medicine for enveloping the intestine, as a choleretic and laxative drug. Cyprus also brewed in tea, it is very similar to real Chinese tea, and its action helps with insomnia and headache.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.)

Nettle is known to many, as touching it necessarily ends with a burning sensation. Nettle flowers are inconspicuous, green in color, resemble spicate inflorescences. For therapeutic purposes, leaflets are usually used that are collected during nettle flowering. They are saturated with microelements, contain many vitamins, as well as carotene, with much more than it is contained in carrots, and there is more vitamin C in them than in lemon. Liquid extract and drugs from nettle are used to treat constipation, to stop the blood, as an anti-inflammatory agent.

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Linseed Orchid (Linaria vulgaris Mill)

A Lyonian is a grassy perennial plant, it has an upright stem up to a meter in height, it has almost no branches, but the stem of the plant is densely dotted with linear leaves that resemble flax leaves. The flaxen blossom blooms in June - September, the flowers of its yellow color and usually gather on the top in a racemes inflorescence.

The flaxseed fruits are dry boxes, they open to the top by prongs, and ripen by July. For treatment used tinctures and decoctions of herbs that were collected during flowering. Usually, flax seed is used as a laxative or choleretic drug.

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Medicinal Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Wigg)

The most common annual plant is a dandelion. It is found absolutely everywhere: in the field, and in the meadow, in the forest, or even on the streets of the city. For the manufacture of drugs used dandelion roots, they are collected in the autumn at times, and the leaves are collected during flowering. Dandelion is a diuretic, analgesic, healing and tonic. Infusion of dandelion leaves and decoction of its roots are used to awaken the appetite or as a laxative soft action.

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Turn (first spinosa L.)

The turn is a thorny shrub up to three meters high. Multipoint shoots on it are dark brown or reddish and usually covered with a film. This shrub blossoms in April-May, and its flowers are easily recognizable by the white color. Fruits are spherical dark blue-colored drupes with a bluish bloom. The taste of thorns is sweet and sour, slightly tart. They ripen in June, but become edible after the first frost.

For medicinal purposes, you can use the bark, roots, flowers, fruits and leaves. The content of vitamin C, fatty oils, carbohydrates, carotene and tannins is very high. Thorns are astringents, expectorant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and laxatives. It is a decoction of flowers or their water infusion is a laxative effect on the intestines.

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Sweet Nude (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.)

This root plant up to one and a half meters in height can grow over several years. The licorice root system is very powerful and well branched. The stem is erect, and usually bare. Licorice leaves are very small and sticky to the touch. The flowering period is suitable in the period June-August. Licorice flowers are collected in racemes, and their color lilac. Licorice is common in southern Russia. For the treatment of used roots, dried after harvest in the fall or early spring. Dried licorice roots are yellow on the scraps, sweet in taste. Licorice is very rich in carbohydrates, essential oils, resins, tannins and acids. Broth from licorice root can not only be a laxative effect, but can also be effectively used for coughing, as well as for spasms and inflammations. It is used to treat gall bladder, constipation, lung and stomach diseases.

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Field Chief (Ononis arvensis)

This small shrub has straight hairy and glandular branches and dark brown rhizome. The stalisman blooms in June-August; its flowers are pink or purple. Fruits - wooly beans with 2-4 jagged seeds that ripen closer to September. For medical purposes, the rootkeeper root is used; it is harvested in the fall or early spring. The root of this plant contains resins, essential oils, ononin, tannins, citric acid and mineral salts. Infusions, decoctions of the harrow are used as anti-inflammatory, diuretic and laxative drugs.

Medicinal plants against constipation can do you good service, especially in the initial stages of this ailment.

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