Why Choose a Non Stimulant Natural Laxative for Chronic Constipation Treatment?

Chronic Constipation is a common problem and people turn to a variety of natural laxative remedies for constipation problems. Sometimes people use a “natural laxative” thinking it must be safer, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, most herbal laxatives are “stimulant laxatives” and they have potentially serious health consequences one should consider. While there are several categories of stimulant laxatives, this article will focus primarily on those products that contain the chemical compound anthraquinones.

Anthraquinones are the chemicals that cause the natural laxative effect in many herbal remedies for constipation. Rhubarb, cascara sagrada, buckthorn (frangula), aloe, senna and terminalia chebula are all plants that contain significant amounts of anthraquinones.

Why should you be concerned about taking an herbal product containing anthraquinones?

The answer – simply put – is that there is significant evidence pointing to the fact that long-term usage of anthraquinones may increase one’s risk of cancer, make major changes to the structure of the colon and permanently damage the nerves and cells of the colon. Here is a review of some of some of this evidence:

• Multiple studies of heavy anthraquinone users have found damage to both the nerves of the colon as well as damage to the smooth muscle tissue of the colon. In one such study, 45 stimulant laxative users were found to have abnormalities in the cells of their colon and degenerated nerve fibers in their colon. It should be noted that these were not controlled studies so it is impossible to say if the anthraquinones caused the damage or if the damage was already present due to the chronic constipation.


• Another study recently found that after just one use of a stimulant laxative containing senna for constipation relief, there was an increase in cell death of surface cells in the colon.


• A study comparing patients who used stimulant laxatives to those who didn’t found that 25% of stimulant laxative users had changes in their colon that could lead to a condition known as “cathartic colon”. This is where the colon is damaged in such a way that it is unable to function property to dispose of waste without the use of the laxatives. Natural products containing anthraquinones will often claim that their product will not cause “laxative dependence”, but that is exactly the risk one is taking by consuming these products.


• Studies in animals found that large dosages of anthraquinones cause the production of tumors. While these dosages are higher than the amounts a human would take, it still raises concern about long-term use in humans.

In addition to all these studies, anthraquinone usage is also known to cause Melanosis Coli or “Black Intestines”. This is a darkening or staining of the colon that comes about from using laxatives containing anthraquinones. While this condition does appear to be reversible after usage of the laxative stops, some studies have pointed to an increased risk of cancer in those who have melanosis coli and others report a higher proportion of dead cells in the colon of those with this condition. This is why constipation remedies like Cascara Sagrada could be unhealthy.

Is there a better chronic constipation treatment?

All of this makes one wonder – is it worth it to use a stimulant laxative as a constipation cure when there is such conflicting evidence about their short-term and long-term dangers to one’s health? The answer is probably not. There are plenty of herbal remedies, like artichoke leaf extract, that are not stimulant. If one uses stimulant laxatives at all, it should be for short durations and with caution in regards to the amount used.

If you are currently using a stimulant laxative, it may be time to try a natural laxative that doesn’t rely upon potential harmful chemicals for constipation relief. StayRegular is an all-natural laxative solution that aims to cure chronic constipation by addressing the various causes of the problem. It’s unique “quad-action” formula relieves constipation by drawing water into the colon, providing special fiber for stool movement, rebalancing the colon’s bacteria and providing support the body needs to relax into comfortable bowel movements. Why use a potentially dangerous herbal laxative containing senna, rhubarb, aloe, or cascara sagrada when a safe constipation treatment already exists?