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Q. I have had severe constipation for years, just like my mother before me. I've been using cascara sagrada for a daily bowel movement. If I don't take it, I get bloated and very uncomfortable.I read that this herb was banned in 2002 because FDA was not sure it is safe. Is this herb safe or not? I have been taking it daily for several years.
I have tried fiber, stool softeners, you name it. Cascara sagrada is the only thing that works for me. My doctor thinks I should take something different. She had me try Colace, but of course it did not work. I took 4 pills every morning and did not have a BM for several days. Please let me know what you recommend.
A. Stimulant laxatives like cascara sagrada can lead to dependence. After daily use for years, your digestive tract doesn't function normally.
In 2002 the FDA reclassified cascara sagrada along with aloe as not generally recognized as safe and effective. As a result, it can't be sold as an over-the-counter laxative. There was concern about liver toxicity, colorectal cancer (Gut, Aug., 1993) and loss of electrolytes such as potassium.
We suggest you work with your doctor to overcome this laxative addiction. It will take patience and persistence. We are sending you our Guide to Constipation to help you. It provides recipes for Power Pudding and dynamite pumpkin-bran muffins as well as our 10 tips to combat constipation.
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Hi All,
I'm 64. About 4 years ago I started to have a really big problem with constipation. I tried 1/2 cup/day of wheat bran plus 2 T/day of psyllium fiber. That worked on and off. Them I added 3/4 teaspoon/day of epsom salts USP dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water taken orally. Adjusting the epsom salts between 1/2 t and 1 t/day solved the problem with my constipation, BUT, I wasn't happy with the thought that all of a sudden my body required such a massive increase in magnesium. I put that question to my doctor. He did not know why that was.
Being that I'm interested in preventing cancer, I was taking 1 tsp/day of turmeric and 1/2 tsp/day of ground black pepper. When I heard the PP show on high ORAC foods, I did some research and added 1/2 tsp/day of ground cloves (ORAC= 314446!!). It is now 2 months later and my constipation is GONE! I no longer take added fiber or magnesium, just the three spices. I make a thin slurry of the spices, chasing that with water.
Wishing you all good health.
Sincerely,
Russ
Is not a daily diet of fruits, veggies and high fiber also addictive? Without them there could be constipation problems also.
Seems like anything we eat regularly can be termed "Addictive".
Try priobiotics capsules (the ones with the most different forms of bacteria - which is also, unfortunately, the most expensive), they have helped me a lot.
I am a fan of psyllium myself... I've struggled with constipation since I was a small child. I really am happy with the results and my mother started taking it and she is happy too. :D