Constipation is a common problem among adults. Its incidence increases with age. What role do herbs play in the treatment of constipation? Why are diet and regular physical activity essential in preventing constipation?
Table of Contents:
- Constipation – symptoms
- Herbs in the treatment of constipation
- Alax – herbal medicine for constipation
- Home remedies for constipation – diet
Constipation – causes and symptoms
The cause of constipation can be the use of certain medications (e.g., blood pressure lowering, antidepressants, painkillers and decongestants), metabolic disorders such as hypothyroidism and diabetes, as well as diseases of the nervous system and anatomical disorders. Nowadays, intestinal peristalsis is also negatively affected by lifestyle. Chronic stress, living in a hurry, improper nutrition and low physical activity are common causes of constipation. This problem can affect people of any age.
Patients suffering from constipation usually pass stool no more than twice a week. It has a hard, clumped or lumpy consistency. Those struggling with this problem also experience symptoms such as:
- The need to push hard during defecation (bowel movements),
- A feeling of incomplete bowel movement after passing stool,
- A feeling of blockage in the large intestine,
- discomfort, bloating.
Constipation may occur occasionally. If the problem persists for a long time, we are dealing with chronic constipation, which should be treated under the supervision of a doctor.
Herbs in the treatment of constipation
Herbal medicines play an important role in the treatment of occasional constipation. They include such raw materials as buckthorn bark, aloe vera leaves, rhubarb root and others. The compounds contained in them stimulate the work of the digestive tract. They reduce the outflow of water from the intestine, thus increasing the hydration of fecal masses. This leads to a change in the consistency of the stool to a more liquid one. They also stimulate the secretion of mucus into the intestinal lumen. This activity, combined with the stimulation of intestinal peristalsis, produces a laxative effect. The fecal mass moves more easily in the intestine, leading to defecation.
Aloe vera has proven efficacy in clinical trials conducted to treat occasional constipation. The plant has been known since ancient times. It has been attributed many medicinal properties, few of which have been proven. The anthraxes found in its leaves show a laxative effect, which appears 6-8 hours after taking the drug. Both aloe vera and buckthorn additionally have choleretic properties. By stimulating the secretion of bile, they can have a beneficial effect on the work of the digestive tract and the digestive process.
Alax – herbal medicine for constipation
One preparation for short-term use in the treatment of constipation is Alax. It contains powdered aloe vera leaf juice and buckthorn bark extract. The compounds contained in these raw materials are only slightly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Reaching the large intestine, they are transformed into active substances under the influence of bacteria living there. This process takes time, so the effect of the drug Alax appears 8-12 hours after taking the tablet. Therefore, it is recommended to take it at night, before going to bed.
Herbal medicines for constipation support, but are not suitable for long-term use. The use of herbal laxatives should not last, without consulting a doctor, for more than 1-2 weeks. Otherwise, they may interfere with normal intestinal peristalsis and lead to water-electrolyte imbalance.
Alax is an herbal remedy for constipation, which is intended for people over the age of 12. It is enough to take 1-2 tablets before bedtime for a laxative effect to appear in the morning. Note that herbal laxatives are recommended to be taken only when changes in diet do not result in the cessation of the constipation problem. For more information on the drug Alax and additional ways to deal with constipation, visit: www.alax.pl.
Home remedies for constipation – diet
Home remedies for constipation include:
- Drinking the right amount of fluids,
- anti-constipation diet,
- Regular physical activity.
Patients with constipation are advised to drink more than 3 liters of fluids a day. Their main source should be mineral water. A very important role in the treatment and prevention of constipation is played by diet. Attention should be paid to dietary fiber, which should be consumed in the amount of 25-30 g per day. It is contained, among others, legumes (lentils, chickpeas and others), cereals such as wheat and oats, flaxseed, almonds, as well as eggplants, beets and dried fruits (such as dried prunes and raisins). Fermented dairy products are also an important part of the diet for constipation. They have a beneficial effect on the development of the intestinal microbiota and processes in the digestive tract.
Exercise tailored to the condition and interests of the person struggling with constipation also regulates bowel movements and bowel frequency. It is also worth remembering to have a bowel movement in a calm atmosphere, without stress or haste.
Occasional constipation, which happens once in a while, can be dealt with with dietary changes. This should include large amounts of fiber and mineral water. If dietary modifications prove insufficient, it is worth turning to herbal remedies such as Alax tablets. The combination of the potent action of aloe vera and the gentler properties of buckthorn helps regulate the rhythm of bowel movements and supports the treatment of constipation.
Bibliography:
Cieślik E., Turcza K., Health-promoting properties of common aloe vera Aloe vera (L.) Webb.(Aloe barbadensis Mill.), Post Phytoter 2015, 16 (2), 117-124
Charytoniuk A., Simon K., Diagnosis and treatment of constipation in young adults, Post-Diploma Medicine, 2013, 05
Alax Summary of Product Characteristics
