Poisonous Herbs for Constipation Relief

Poisonous herbs have been used discreetly for centuries as a form of constipation relief in the East and West. Here, we discuss a few examples:

Alder Buckthorn is a common shrub in Europe, growing in damp places in woods and along streams. Its fruits are first red, then black and its bark is marked by whitish warty spots and stripes. Birds feed on the fruits seem to benefit from its laxative properties. The fresh bark when consumed by humans causes vomiting. The bark has to be dried for at least a year to allow a fermenting process to destroy its emetic constituent, frangularoside. The dried bark is used to treat spastic and habitual constipation, often combined with other herbs such as caraway seed, senna and peppermint to increase its effectiveness. Over dosage of the dried bark can result in convulsions.

Cascara sagrada is a taller relative of the alder buckthorn native to western North America. The bark of cascara sagrada, like the alder buckthorn is toxic when fresh and has to be dried before it can be used as a laxative medicine by American Indians. Later, it drew the attention of Spanish colonists and other immigrants. Cascara sagrada has been used as an ingredient in many over-the-counter laxatives in North American since 1890 until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of it as an over-the-counter drug in 2002. Incidentally, physicians differ in opinions as to whether both alder buckthorn and cascara sagrada could be consumed for an extended period.

Chinese Rhubarb, unlike its related species in the West, is not enjoyed as a sweet dish. The Chinese has classified it as a poison since ancient times. Its popular name in Chinese means "big yellow", is a fitting description of a person who suffers jaundice from over dosage. Other effects of the Chinese Rhubarb's toxicity is nausea, vertigo, vomiting, cramps and in extreme cases - death. When used by skillful physicians, Chinese rhubarb become a laxative and medicine to numerous ailments. The Chinese rhubarb is of such fine quality that Russians monopolized the trade from 1657 to 1863. It is one of the main ingredients in Chinese herbology.

Pokeberry root, another main ingredient in Chinese herbology, is a native of northeastern North America. The fresh greens from this plant is eaten in America. As the plant matures, it becomes poisonous. People have become ill from eating pigeons that feed on pokeberries. Some died when they ate pokeberry roots which are accidentally included in the pot with the greens. Ancient Hawaiians use the berries to make tattoo dyes while American Indians use the powdered root to make a salve for skin ailments. Chinese medicine uses dried roots of pokeberry internally and externally as a constipation remedy. One example of external use is to make a paste from powdered pokeberry root and apply to the top part of the anus to treat constipation of elderly people.

The list of poisonous herbs for constipation can fill up volumes of books. Many of which are regarded as traditional medicine. The case of cascara sagrada indicates there should be continuous monitoring and research on the part of relevant authorities. More important, the attitude of each user, as an encyclopedia on herbs sums it up nicely : "The unpleasant fact of the matter is that some herbs are downright dangerous. [ Regrettably ] some people don't give any herb-dangerous or benign-the appropriate respect".

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