Using an herbal laxative tea can be safe if used responsibly and only when necessary. Some people struggle with occasional bouts of constipation and may use these types of tea occasionally to relieve their symptoms. Overuse can cause problems with the health, including a reliance on using laxatives and may lead to the inability to have a bowel movement at all without the use of a laxative. Responsible use is of the utmost importance, and people should check with their own health care provider before using herbal remedies to treat themselves for health conditions like constipation.
Types of Herbal Laxative Tea
There are many types of herbal laxative tea. One that is available commercially and is generally safe for use is Smooth Move, made by Traditional Medicinals. Smooth Move contains senna, which is a common laxative that is used often for occasional constipation. Senna used as a tea is more readily absorbed by the body and can be more effective than taking tablets. It is also available in capsule and extract form in addition to its loose leaf form, which is used in the herbal laxative tea.
The directions for the tea can be found on the box. When using loose leaf senna, the leaves should be steeped in hot or boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes and then be removed before consuming the herbal laxative tea. The active ingredients in senna are known as anthraquinones, and are found in the pods and leaves of the senna plant. Senna is considered a stimulant laxative, and should therefore not be used for longer than seven days unless directed by a health care provider. Side effects can include severe abdominal cramping, rash, weight loss and electrolyte imbalance. No herbal laxative tea should not be used by children, pregnant or nursing women.
Other Types of Herbal Laxative Tea
Casarca and rhubarb are similar to senna, in that they are also anthraquinones, or stimulant laxatives. An herbal laxative tea can be made from the bark of the casarca plant, but is quite bitter in taste and will need sweetening before use. The rhubarb used for laxative properties is not the same plant that grows in the common garden. Rheum palmatum is the herb used for its laxative properties, and the root is used in either capsule, extract or tea form. Like senna, casarca rhubarb should not be used for longer than seven days without the supervision of a health care provider. Casarca is also available in liquid extract and capsule form, which may be a better choice due to taste for those that prefer this herb.
The dried latex of the aloe vera plant may also be used as an herbal laxative. Though scientists do not understand why this herb works as a laxative, it has been used for centuries for its laxative properties. It is used orally instead of topically, as is the common use of the aloe plant. It can be made into an herbal laxative tea or it can be taken orally in capsule form.
Herbal Laxative Tea Warnings
People with intestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease should not take any herbal laxative tea without the supervision of a doctor or other health care provider. Care should be taken to not use any stimulant laxatives for longer than seven days without medical supervision, as severe side effects can occur.
Use of an herbal laxative tea can be helpful for those suffering from an occasional bout of constipation.
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