Herbal Laxatives: Artichoke Leaf Extract

With so many herbal laxatives available on the market, it is important to understand side effects and also how effective these constipation remedies are. An herbal remedy that has been studied in IBS treatment is Artichoke Leaf Extract. This article will summarize a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Irritable Bowel Symptom (IBS)

IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems reported by gastroenterologists. The issue with IBS is that doctors do not have a clear idea of the causes of this issue. It could be sensitivity to certain foods but determining which food causes the problem is difficult. IBS with constipation could be caused by varying dietary intake. It is also possible that IBS is simply genetically inherited.

Herbal Laxatives for IBS with Constipation

This study was able to show that Artichoke Leaf Extract intake provided significant improvement in IBS symptomatic patients. Volunteers were randomly assigned either 320 or 640mg of Artichoke Leaf Extract and were asked to fill out questionnaires about their symptoms at baseline and after 2 months. Both groups reported an improvement of IBS symptoms for both constipation and diarrhea. Interestingly, there was not much difference reported between the two dose groups.

Can IBS Treatment Improve Quality of Life?

The results of the above study suggest that Artichoke Leaf Extract can improve quality of life of sufferers of IBS with constipation or diarrhea. Normal bowel patterns can alleviate anxiety with relation to daily life, travel, camping, etc. As an herbal remedy, the use of Artichoke Leaf Extract does not indicate adverse reaction or effects. Supplementing with a combination of herbs, minerals, and vitamins is the most holistic approach to IBS with constipation.

Herbal Laxatives

Artichoke Leaf Extract is one of the herbal laxatives available on the market, but to achieve the best results, it is important to include a variety of colon support nutrients. StayRegular is a constipation remedy that includes Artichoke Leaf Extract to support digestion. This laxative formula also contains fiber, minerals, and vitamins to support healthy bowel movements and quality of life.