Digestive

Constipation

Hard or infrequent bowel movements. See a doctor if it lasts more than a few weeks, is severe, or comes with blood in the stool, weight loss or severe belly pain.

11 herbs

Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.

Cascara SagradaRhamnus purshiana
Accepted by the European Medicines Agency for short-term use in occasional constipation; not for more than 1 week.
Castor OilRicinus communis
Castor oil is a strong traditional laxative. The seeds are poisonous.
Da HuangRheum palmatum
Accepted by the European Medicines Agency for short-term use in occasional constipation; not for more than 1 week.
Fo-TiReynoutria multiflora
The raw root is traditionally used to relax the bowels. Not tested in trials, and it can damage the liver.
HaritakiTerminalia chebula
Traditionally used for constipation; a small clinical study found it helped empty the bowels.
PsylliumPlantago ovata
Recognized in Europe, based on scientific evidence, for ongoing constipation and to soften the stool.
Scrophularia RootScrophularia ningpoensis
Traditionally used for constipation. Not tested on its own in trials.
SennaSenna alexandrina
Recognized in Europe, based on scientific evidence, for short-term relief of occasional constipation, for no more than a week.
TriphalaPhyllanthus emblica, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula
Used as a laxative in Ayurveda. One clinical trial reported less constipation.
VervainStachytarpheta jamaicensis
Traditionally used for constipation.
Yellow DockRumex crispus
A traditional laxative. Not tested in trials.