Constipation and Botanical Medicines: An Overview
Carla Cirillo
Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Raffaele Capasso
Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Correspondence to: Capasso Raffaele, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples, Italy.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Cirillo
Laboratory for Enteric Neuroscience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Raffaele Capasso
Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Correspondence to: Capasso Raffaele, Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples, Italy.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Constipation affects 14% of the adult population globally, mainly women, and significantly impacts on health-related quality of life. The causes of constipation are mainly three: lifestyle related (functional constipation), disease related, and drug induced. Constipation can generate considerable suffering, including abdominal pain and distension, anorexia, and nausea. The value of some therapeutic measures such as increased fluid intake, physical activity, diet rich in fiber, and nutritional supplements recommended for the relief of constipation is still questionable. The treatment of constipation can be carried out not only with traditional drugs but also with herbal medicines or with nutraceuticals, which are used to prevent or treat the disorder. We have reviewed the most common botanical laxatives such as senna, cascara, frangula, aloe, and rhubarb and their use in the treatment of constipation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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