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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
My husband has had a constipation problem for years... getting worse and trying anything to ease it... psyllium is latest and don't see that it helps either...I make a paste of figs, dates, raisins, honey, senna tea, and that seems to help the most but he complains it is to sweet... I would love to have you book of 10 tips to combat it and to learn what your Power pudding is... thanks a lot we are at a loss as to what to do ....
After I stopped using cascara sagrada, I noticed bowel movement issues, but that's usual. Imagine you stop using any laxative, that's going to be what happens post-use. I increased my fiber intake, digestive enzymes and probiotics - all was 'cured'. It was my initial lack of understand on the topic which put me into the use of CS, but now I know I could have gotten the same results with way less dependence.
Bonnie S.
I never really had much of problem with constipation until after I used a colon cleanser that contains Cascara Sagrada as one of it's main ingredients. Not knowing that it was primarily a laxative, I was simply making sure I got all excess waste out while using a natural substance. But after I'd stop using it then did I notice the difficulty and the fact that I had to use it more and more in order for things to function properly. It's better to make sure you know what you're taking. Had I read up on just that one ingredient I never would've touched the stuff.
I'm curious to know if you are now off the Cascara Sagrada now? I, too, have inadvertently become reliant on CS for a daily BM and didn't know that it might be a problem. I've been taking CS for years as well. What did you do and how did it turn out? Being constipated and bloated is just the worst feeling. Anything you can tell me that would be helpful for getting off of it?
Thanks.
Could you e mail me. This is exactly my situation and I do not know how to get off the laxatives...how did you?
I tried to get off cascara sagrada but had a lot of trouble. Still working on it. Any tips or ideas would be very helpful. I'm a little worried how to get off it. Nothing else seems to work.
Seems I am not alone on the "CS island". I too am addicted to it and can't have a normal bowel movement without it. I consulted a GI doctor last month for my "problem" and he recommended a colonoscopy which was normal except for a little staining of the colon and some mild internal hemorrhoids. He advised me to stop taking the cascara COLD TURKEY and follow his regimen which consisted an new EXPENSIVE medication called Amitiza, plus 1 tsp citrucel daily, 2 colace, a high fiber diet and 64 oz of water daily.
The result of his recommended treatment was this: I went without a bowel movement for 7 DAYS. I urinated all night and all day because of the increased fluid intake and developed such a severe impaction from all the fiber that I had to go to the ER to have the impaction removed! Extremely painful.
The next day, I resorted back to taking my CS again just so I could "go". My GI doc was upset with me for taking the CS again and said I wasn't being patient enough with my treatment. If an impaction is his idea of patience, then I need a new doc. I don't know what to do.
I hope I don't get cancer from taking the CS but nothing else helps once your colon gets used to it. Apparently, it damages the nerves in your colon so that it can not contract on it's own. This is why, when you take fiber and stool softeners, they just SIT THERE because your colon has lost its ability to contract and push things through. Any way you look at it, it is NOT a good situation to be in.