16 Herbs for Constipation – How To Treat Constipation at Home

Constipation occurs when fecal matter hardens in the colon, and it becomes difficult to have a bowel movement.

It can have a serious negative effect on the quality of life, as well as on physical and mental health.

Defecation is a vital function to keep the body healthy.

Typically, an individual will need to pass three or more bowel movements per week. If you don’t have at least 3 bowel movements per week, you need help.

Most of the time, constipation can be treated in the comfort of your home with some natural remedies. For centuries, people have relied on herbs for constipation.

Certain herbs can stimulate the digestive system and help to relieve constipation.

Here are 15 herbs for constipation that you can try in the comfort of your home. Make sure to try one at a time and choose which one works best for you.

1. Cascara Sagrada (Buckthorn)

This is one of the herbs for constipation that can give you quick bowel movements.

This natural herbal laxative is a bark extract of a buckthorn tree.

It is recommended only for short-term use, incorporating Cascara Sagrada in a diet for a longer period of time can cause abdominal pain and liver injury.

• How It Works – It works by causing muscle contractions in the intestines. These muscle contractions help move stool through the bowels. The bark contains chemicals called anthraquinones that give it its color and its laxative effect. These chemicals react with bacteria in the intestines to stimulate the bowels.
• How To Use – You can get loose cascara sagrada tea shavings from the market. Steep about a teaspoon of the loose tea in 2/3 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain before drinking. Avoid cascara teas sold in larger chunks (as opposed to the shavings) as they may have stronger laxative effects.

2. Psyllium Husks

Psyllium is a member of the plantain plant species that are commonly used as a gentle, bulk-forming laxative.

They are mainly used to treat chronic constipation with a combination of other natural or synthetic laxatives.

• How It Works – Psyllium attracts and binds large volumes of water, helping to soften and bulk up the stool, making bowel movements much easier.
• How To Use – Toddlers and children should start with 1 teaspoon a day and increase the dosage to 2 teaspoons if necessary. For an adult, a dose of psyllium husk would be 2–6 teaspoons taken one to three times a day. The powder or granules should be mixed into a full glass (8 ounces) of water or fruit juice before swallowing. Capsules should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. It is best if you take your doses just after a meal.

3. Rhubarb Root

Rhubarb has both laxative and antidiarrheal effects because of its tannin content.

This can be one of the best herbs for constipation but should only be used on a short-term basis for constipation.

• How It Works – Rhubarb root contains substances called anthraquinones. It stimulates bowel movements and alters the absorption of water and salt from the bowels. The increase in the amount of water in the gut softens the stools making them easy to exit.
• How To Use – Mix one to six grams per day depending on your need with your favorite smoothie, drinks, or food.

4. Senna

Senna is the fruit (pod) or leaf of the plant Senna alexandrina. It is approved in the US as a laxative for short-term treatment of constipation.

This is a very heavy-hitting herb and should only be used under the supervision of a trained herbalist.

• How It Works – Senna contains Sennosides chemicals that irritate the lining of the bowel, which causes a laxative effect.
• How To Use – The usual dose is two to four 7.5 mg tablets, or two to four 5 ml spoonfuls (10-20 ml) of liquid medicine once every evening. It should only be used for a few days – this is because your bowel can start to rely on this type of laxative to make it work rather than working on its own.

5. Slippery Elm

Ulmus rubra, the slippery elm, is a species of elm native to eastern North America. Its healing effects stimulate the nerves in the gastrointestinal tract and provide a soothing and lubricating effect to the intestinal tract.

When taken orally, its mucilage-like consistency helps to soften and bulk the stool promoting comfortable bowel movements.

• How It Works – This herb works by trapping water, which then bulks up the stool and develops a gel-like consistency to provide a protective coating for the lining of the digestive tract.
• How To Use – For tea, pour 2 cups of boiling water over roughly 2 tablespoons of the powder and steep for a few minutes. To make a poultice (for applying to the skin), mix the coarse powder with boiling water and let cool. Apply the poultice to the affected area.

6. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a rich source of soluble fiber.

When soluble fiber dissolves with water, it helps soften the stools and easier to exit. They are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lubricant the intestinal tract.

• How It Works – Much like psyllium husks it helps to bulk and soften the stool as it passes through. This helps relieve constipation associated with irregularity and digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease.
• How To Use – You can stir flaxseed into oatmeal, soup, cereal, yogurt and smoothies or add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed to a glass of water and drink one or two times a day.

7. Dandelion Root

Dandelion is packed with so many amazing properties.

The leaves are full of nutrition which helps with urination.

The root helps stimulate the digestive process making it easy to poop.

Dandelion can be one of the best herbs for constipation caused by poor digestion.

• How It Works – Dandelion stimulates the liver to produce bile, which can indirectly help with constipation. Dandelion tea can also act as a diuretic in the body, adding more water to the digestive system and the stools. This can help to relieve mild constipation.
• How To Use – Dandelion root can be drunk as tea. Some herbalists recommend dandelion root as a tincture (alcohol-base) or making a decoction by gently simmering the roots in water. To ease the digestive process, try drinking a cup of dandelion tea after meals.

8. Yellow Dock

The leaf stalks of yellow dock are used in salads. The roots and fruits are used as medicine.

This herb helps minimize pain and swelling (inflammation) of nasal passages and the respiratory tract and acts as a laxative and tonic for the intestinal tract.

• How It Works – Yellow dock contains chemicals called anthraquinones, which work as stimulant laxatives. It also contains other chemicals that might kill parasites, bacteria, and fungus.
• How To Use – Yellow dock is generally taken as a liquid tincture, although a herbal decoction can be made with the root if you can find it. Dry the roots for teas or powder and encapsulate them. The roots, and occasionally the leaves, can also be made into tinctures. Some suggestions for preparing a yellow dock are below:
  • Herbal Tea – Drink several cups each day for one to two months to treat anemia.
  • Tincture – Take 1/4 to 1 teaspoon every two to eight hours for a few days to treat constipation.

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera juice is one of the most trusted traditional remedies for indigestion.

It has many natural enzymes that help the easy breakdown of sugars and fats, which enhances your digestive system.

• How It Works – Aloe vera is a natural laxative. The outer portion of the plant contains compounds called anthraquinones, and these have a laxative effect.
• How To Use – Peel the aloe vera and blend it with smoothies or other beverages. If a person is trying aloe vera juice for the first time, they may wish to start with a small serving. One serving is usually 1 cup or 8 ounces of juice.

10. Asparagus

This plant has been used as a vegetable owing to its distinct flavor, and in medicine due to its diuretic properties and its purported function as an aphrodisiac.

Fibers in them facilitate the digestion process and their gentle effect on the intestinal functions can help reverse a tendency for constipation.

• How It Works – Asparagus is particularly high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements. It also contains a small amount of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract.
• How To Use – Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. Cooking may enhance antioxidant activity in asparagus, but it can also contribute to nutrient loss.

11. Asafetida

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of asafoetida help alleviate digestion problems like upset stomach, intestinal gas, intestinal worms, flatulence, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

It also acts as an excellent laxative and prevents constipation.

• How It Works – It is obtained from the stem of the Asafoetida plant and is bitter and pungent in taste. It is also known as Hing. Hing helps improve digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine.
• How To Use – Take ½ teaspoon Hing powder and add to a glass of warm water. Drink this on an empty stomach. Or take 2-3 small pieces of Hing (or Hing powder) and add it to a glass of buttermilk or warm milk.

12. Basil Seeds 

These seeds are rich in soluble fiber. When these seeds are added to our diet with a good quantity of water, they absorb water and thus help in drawing water to our gut.

This results in the softening of feces and promotes daily bowel movement.

• How It Works – The pectin in the basil seeds has prebiotic properties, which supports good gut bacteria. When the good bacteria are nourished, everything from digestion to absorption to excretion takes place smoothly.
• How To Use –  Soak around 2 teaspoons of basil seeds in a cup of warm water for around 15 minutes. They swell and a translucent gray film coating develops around each black seed, as they increase in size.

You can now make these seeds a part of a variety of drinks like lemonade, milkshakes, coconut water, smoothies, buttermilk, soups, and so on. You can also add them to ice creams, pasta, and salads for a nice crunchy taste.

13. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are harvested from the plant’s flowers and then dried. They tend to be pale green to tan in color with an oval shape.

Like the fennel bulb, they have a sweet, licorice-like flavor that can lend an earthy, sweet taste to dishes, and they pair especially well with seafood and pork.

Although whole fennel seeds are safe to eat in moderation, the concentrated levels of chemicals found in many supplements or essential oils may not be as safe.

Anethole, one of the major compounds in fennel seeds, has properties similar to estrogen.

• How It Works – These herbs for constipation have anethole that acts as active properties to relieve constipation by soothing muscles in the stomach and intestine.
• How To Use – In a pan, take one teaspoon of dried fennel seeds and add one cup of hot water to it. Do not boil the fennel seeds as this will kill most of their nutrients.

14. Fenugreek 

For thousands of years, fenugreek has been used in alternative and Chinese medicine to treat skin conditions and many other diseases.

It is commonly used as a household spice and thickening agent. Fenugreek is also found in products such as soap and shampoo.

• How It Works – Fenugreek seeds are rich in antioxidants and fibers which aid in digestion and facilitate bowel movement. It also prevents constipation and stomach ulcers that cause a lot of discomfort.
• How To Use – Soak 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight and strain the seeds and drink the water in the morning.

15. Nettle

Nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, anemia, and constipation.

Today, it’s commonly used for treating urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

• How It Works – Nettle has anti-inflammatory properties that help in digestion and prevent diarrhea, constipation, and gastric issues.
• How To Use – Nettle can be consumed in the form of tea.

16. Sorrel

Sorrel is a plant rich in anthraquinone, an active principle that in high doses has strong laxative effects.

Anthraquinone acts on nerve endings in the intestine, stimulating peristalsis and increasing defecation needs. Sorrel can be taken for the treatment of occasional constipation.

• How It Works – Sorrel contains diuretic properties that increase bowel movement, which relieves constipation.
• How To Use – Infuse 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in a cup of water and drink it at least three times a day. Do not take it for more than 10 consecutive days.

FAQs About Herbs for Constipation

Try These Herbs for Quick Constipation Relief

People have been using herbs for over a thousand years.

Evidence of early herb gardens dates to Europe in the Middle Ages. Egyptian schools of herbalists have existed since 3000 B.C.

Herbal medicine can help your constipation but if there is an underlying cause that hasn’t been addressed then you won’t get far.

We all face health problems in our lifetime, and most need strict medical treatment, but constipation doesn’t need to be one of those problems.

So there you have it. 15 herbs for constipation that can help if you are struggling with irregular bowel movements.

Start with gentle, bulking herbs like psyllium husks and flaxseed. If they don’t work then bitter herbs such as dandelion root can help to fire up your digestion.

Do you struggle with constipation?

What has helped?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.