Stimulant Laxatives - Natural Cure or Dangerous? Part 3


In part 2 of “Stimulant Laxatives - Natural Cure or Dangerous?” we reviewed the problems with anthraquinone based stimulant laxatives and looked with more detail at the herbal laxatives triphala and yellow dock. Let’s finish our review of popular herbal laxatives with rhubarb and buckthorn:


Rhubarb & Buckthorn as constipation remedies

  • Rhubarb - the laxative form of rhubarb (Rheum officinale) is different from edible rhubarb (R. rhaponticum). The laxative species, particularly those coming from China, has had past issues with being contaminated with heavy metals that are harmful to human health. Rhubarb is also very high in tannins, which are helpful for some issues, but are also associated with kidney damage, liver cell damage, and increased risks of nose and throat cancer. While commonly used to treat long-term constipation, chronic use of rhubarb should be avoided due to the fact that it can deplete potassium and interfere with heart medications.

  • Buckthorn - there are several type of buckthorn used in constipation treatment. The strongest is common buckthorn, which is less commonly used because it very high anthraquinone content makes it among the strongest of the natural laxatives. Natural side effects include cramping and diarrhea. Alder Buckthorn is more commonly used, but still contains a very high concentration of anthraquinones (3-7%) in its dried bark.

    • Stimulant Laxatives (natural) & Melanosis Coli

    All of the herbal laxatives reviewed in this series cause melanosis coli. Melanosis Coli is a staining of the colon that comes from the pigments in anthraquinones. Since the colon can also be blackened by massive cell death, this pigmenting is sometimes called “pseudomelanosis coli”. In a study that looked at over 300 patients who had had colon surgery in the past 6 years, pseudomelanosis coli was consistently linked to anthraquinone containing laxatives. When doctors then followed these patients over the next two years, they saw that patients with colon cancer had a much higher incidence of pseudomelanosis coli – indicating a link between cancer condition and constipation treatment with anthraquinone laxatives.


    Natural Laxatives that cause pseudomelanosis coli also induce a higher rate of cell death among the surface cells of the colon. It appears that this process is reversible, but the consequences for long-term use remain nebulous.


    Alternatives to Stimulant Laxatives

    In this series, we have looked at the various anthraquinone containing stimulant laxatives and why you might want to consider alternatives. The good news is that there are many options for natural constipation relief that do not have the potential negative health consequences of stimulant laxatives.


    The key is to use emollient and bulk laxatives in the right combination to cause synergistic effects. Now, neither of these two type of laxatives will work quite as fast as a stimulant laxative, but they will be more comfortable as well as safe over the long run. StayRegular is an all-natural constipation remedy that utilizes several mechanisms of action to relieve constipation and promote colon health. Think of it as a multi-vitamin for the colon – providing the nutrients that your colon needs to function properly as well as the probiotics that work rigorously to protect your colon from disease causing microbes. Stimulant laxatives are an outdated solution to a complicated problem. Try the next generation of relief now!