One of the ingredients in laxative products is Senna herb. Senna contains a compound called Anthraquinones which is classified as a stimulant herb. In fact it is also classified as a powerful laxative that works by intensifying the contractions on the lower intestinal tract. This of course gives us the impression that we “need to go” and release the waste materials from the body. Since Anthraquinones causes water to be absorbed faster, the stools that come out of the body are softer making them easier to get out. Do remember though that Senna laxative usually takes about 6-12 hours before they work.
There are people who are not allowed to take a senna laxative product because this might just cause them more harm than good. In fact Senna laxatives cannot be taken for more than seven consecutive days because it might cause some complications. It can actually promote a sickness called lazy bowel movement wherein the body relies on laxatives in order to get out wastes from the body.
It is recommended that if you plan on taking Senna for a long time consult your doctor first because if you don’t there might be long term or short time negative effects that you might experience. For instance, you might experience some allergic reactions that might cause you to have difficulty swallowing or it just might cause your face and lips to swell up. Of course this can be very unpleasant. The moment you experience some symptoms similar to the ones mentioned above, it is probably better that you discontinue using whatever product that you are taking.
If you would like to improve your bowel movement without taking any kind of laxative, you can start by changing your lifestyle. You can cleanse your colon by starting a new diet that is rich in laxative foods by containing fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Foods that are rich in fiber can help promote better bowel movement.
Try to keep your body hydrated at all times. You can also try integrating some exercising or physical activities to your lifestyle. These things can help ease out the stress and discomfort caused by constipation. If you follow these tips, most likely you will be able to fight constipation and live a healthy, less-stressful life.