The Sunlight Experiment

Herbal Actions

Laxative

Relieves constipation and promotes bowel movements

Relieves constipation and encourages a bowel movement, from gentle bulking and softening to stronger stimulation of the gut. The stimulant (anthraquinone) laxatives are for short-term use only — prolonged use can cause dependence and cramping.

How it works

Laxative is not one mechanism but several overlapping ones. Each of these is its own herbal action — follow a link for the herbs strongest in that mechanism.

Aperient A gentle, mild laxative. Purgative A strong, drastic laxative.

Herbs with a laxative action (13)

Key herbs

Herbs for which laxative is a headline action.

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Damiana

Turnera diffusa

AphrodisiacAntimicrobialAntifungalAnticancer

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

BitterCholagogueCholereticDiuretic

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Anti-inflammatoryVasodilatorEmmenagogueAperient

Rehmannia

Rehmannia glutinosa

AntiallergicAntihemorrhagicAnti-inflammatoryAntipyretic