Abstract

LAXATIVES A HERBAL REMEDY FOR RELIEVING CONSTIPATION

R. Chandrasekar, *Sivagami Chandrasekar

ABSTRACT

Laxatives are helpful in relieving constipation. Constipation can affect anyone at any age because most of the people get affected with constipation due to many reasons. The main reason for constipation is consumption of junk food which contains less fiber content leading to constipation and the younger generations are affected more. People don‘t consume more liquid after a meal. In the modern world the normal life style of people is they spend more time working for long hours they don‘t give importance to healthy diet. There are different types of constipation which include commonly like occasional constipation, common constipation, travel related constipation, age related constipation, chronic constipation etc. Food containing fiber improves digestion, foods like fruits, wheat and vegetables should be added more in the diet, the fiber in food softens the stools. The treatment of constipation include bulk laxatives, stimulant, osmotic, stool softeners etc. Since there are side effects when taking these medications, patients prefer alternative medicine for the treatment of constipation. Consequently, the demand for laxative products has recently increased dramatically. Laxatives should not be used for longer time because they can reduce the digestion and damage the digestive tract, this leads to indigestion of food, flatulence etc. There are minor side effects when using laxatives but the side effects stop once the treatments are stopped. Some patients with chronic constipation become prone to laxative abuse and get addicted to it. This paper gives an overview of the different traditional medicinal plants used as laxatives for the treatment of constipation. Since there are side effects most people rely on natural resources and researchers are also looking for traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases.

Keywords: Laxatives, Constipation, Treatments, Fiber.