i have found 'smooth move' herb tea,the active ingredient is from the senna tree bark. i'm not able to grow that. :) i was wondering if anyone had any knowledge about an herb that i could grow, that would aid me with my constipation problem. i take medications that 99% of them say "may cause constipation:". well they are right. :) :( i don't like taking any more pills, than i already have too. i would appreciate any knowledge on this subject. thank you.
here is where i found the best price for the smooth move tea online, if anyone is interested.
http://store.yahoo.com/enkuerosnet/32917000095.html
debi z
'? on herbs and constipation
Baa
May 05, 2004
The best way is to keep rotating the types of herbs you're using in case you become sensitive to the one type and some like Senna are harsh on the system.
It may depend on what's the problem, if the muscles aren't moving enough a stimulant drink like Dandelion and Burdock is great. They sell it as a pop here. Chamomile or Raspberry leaf tea are gentle stimulants too.
If you prefer something to eat or want a change, rhubarb stalks cooked is a very effective remedy. Liquorice root is another but more gentle snack, this is frm the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra and in the UK we can obtain dried root or a processed form, both forms are used as sweets here as well.
As you probably know, plenty of water will help too.
Chickweed! W/out a doubt, chickweed. Delicious, nutritious and keeps you on your toes. Grows wild here and am wondering if does the same up there, debi.
Make sure the medications you take are okay with herbs, Debi. Sometimes they can cause serious interactions. I take many many pills a day and have started Citracel. You might try something like that instead, a natural help. :) Kathy
Cascara Sagrada is a good herb for constipation.
Cindy
Okra works as well. Not an herb...but easy to take! (for a southerner at least...dont know if you like it :))
Ten-four on that, art...
Even pickled okra!
repeated doses of coffee and tobacco work very well.
thank you for all your suggestions.
sincerely,
debi z
Horseshoe, what do you do with chickweed? Do you steam it or prepare it like dandelion greens? I have alot of it, and think it's pretty, so in places where it doesn't matter, I let it go. It would be great to get some nutritional benefit from it!
Lee
leisure...I tend to eat it raw, by itself as a snack, or in salads. Use just the tops and stems but not the roots.
Mouse-weed (some folks call it mouse-ear chickweed) needs to be steamed. This is the one that has sorta hairy leaves.
Eat sparingly to see how it affects you. Too much and you'll really clean yourself out, for a couple days! Mixed with salads or nibbled on is perfectly fine though. (I always thought chickweed would be great added to spinach lasagne! Some pastas could use a bit of help going thru one's system.)
As a usual precaution, don't eat weeds where folks tend to spray poisons.
This message was edited Jul 14, 2004 9:44 PM
Horseshoe, thanks so much for the chickweed tip. I don't use any sprays more toxic than water, so I'll be all right there. I may try it over the weekend, when I'll be close to home!
sounds like a good plan to me leisurlee. ;-)
I agree with all the above (I assume the character who suggeted coffee and tobacco was kidding) having tried most of them. What I have learned is that chronic constipation is a sign your body needs more of the mineral magnesium. I take increasing doses up to 900 mg. a day-when I get too loose I back off a little. Skip a day and you will be a believer.