Constipation herbal medicine

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence on their effectiveness, herbal drugs are widely believed to be useful in treating a variety of conditions, both common and unusual, and mild and serious. Common conditions for which people take herbal drugs include colds and flu, muscular aches and pains, acne, indigestion, constipation, coughs, corns, menstmal cramps, dandruff, diarrhea, fatigue, flatulence, frostbite, warts, hair loss, headaches, heartburn, insect bites, lice, motion sickness, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, and warts. (The PDR-HM lists 25 herbal medicines used to relieve flatulence.)... 

A 23-year-old Asian butcher developed diffuse abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by constipation (4). He had a sinus tachycardia and generalized abdominal tenderness without peritonism. His serum bilirubin concentration and alanine transaminase activity were raised, but alkaline phosphatase activity, albumin concentration, and prothrombin time were normal. He had a blood lead concentration of 767 ng/ml and a raised zinc protoporphyrin concentration, diagnostic of lead poisoning. He had taken an herbal medicine, purchased in India, for vague aU-ments. He stopped taking it, and 3 months later was asymptomatic, with normal liver function tests and marked falls in blood lead (387 ng/ml) and zinc protoporphyrin. 

Herbal medicines or teas often contain senna, which may produce diarrhea. In patients with disease persistence following dietary modification, loperamide may be used for episodic management of urgent diarrhea, or in situations in which the patient wishes to avoid the possibility of an acute onset of symptoms. This drug decreases intestinal transit, enhances water and electrolyte absorption, and strengthens rectal sphincter tone. Some patients may require continuous therapy, and careful dosage titration can usually be undertaken to prevent the development of constipation. Cholestyramine may be useful in patients with diarrhea related to idiopathic bile acid malabsorption or following cholecystectomy. ... 

Black pepper is historically used also in traditional medicines and home remedies in India [3]. Black pepper figures in remedies in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine in India for such illnesses as constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, liver problems, lung disease, oral abscesses, sunburn, tooth decay, and toothaches. Black pepper was relied upon to treat specific conditions such as diarrhea and fevers, but it appears that the extensive, generalized use was to enhance the effects of many herbal remedies [3]. 

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