Natural laxative

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems people face today. It may be chronic or acute and be due to a variety of factors: changes of routine, pregnancy, lactancy, pharmaceutical products, bad eating habits or a number of endocrinal or metabolic conditions¹.
Constipation is treated using laxatives. There are various types depending on the action mechanism: lubricants, stimulants, bulk formers … In cases of occasional constipation stimulant laxatives are a highly advisable option as they stimulate the secretion of water and electrolytes within the intestine and improve bowel movement¹.

This product is a synergy of plant extracts selected for their effectiveness in fighting against constipation and gastric complaints: senna leaves (Senna alexandrina Mill.) and green anise (Pimpinella anisum L.).

Senna belongs to the legume family and is native to tropical Africa. It is an evergreen bush with pale green leaves and small yellow-coloured flowers². Its leaves are rich in hydroxyanthracenic heterosides, sennosides A and B being the most important. These molecules reach the large intestine without being absorbed, where they are converted by the enzymes of the gut flora into their active metabolites which cause an increase of intestinal peristalsis and secretion of water and electrolytes towards the intestinal lumen, having a laxative effect. Senna is recommended for occasional or acute constipation^{3, 4}.

Green anise is part of the umbelliferae family and is a herbaceous plant originally found in the central and eastern Mediterranean area. Its fruit has a very particular smell thanks to its essential acid which contains trans-anethole (75-90%), which is mainly responsible for its properties⁵. Anise is beneficial to the gastrointestinal system: it has been shown to have anti-ulcer effects, to help relieve nausea and to have laxative effects combined with other plants such as senna⁶. Moreover a recent study of the effect of green anise on sufferers from functional dyspepsia (feeling of fullness, burning, pain of the epigastrium) showed an improvement in their quality of life thanks to the consumption of this plant⁷.


INGREDIENTS USED

Name of ingredient: Dry extract of senna leaves standardised to contain 5.5% in sennoside B
Part used: Leaves
Scientific name: Senna alexandrina Mill.
Properties:

• Contains quinones 1.8- hydroxyanthracenics, which include sennosides B with laxative properties¹.
• Accelerates transit in the colon, increasing the secretion of fluids towards the intestinal lumen³.
• Recommended in case of occasional constipation⁴.

Name of ingredient: Dry concentrated extract 4:1 of green anise fruit
Part used: Fruit
Scientific name: Pimpinella anisum L.
Properties:

• Has a carminative action (helps the expulsion of gases), digestive, spasmolytic (especially at the respiratory and digestive level), expectorant, antibiotic and antifungal³.
• Causes an increase in the number of daily bowel movements and reduces intestinal transit time in combinaton with other plants.⁶
• Helps to alleviate the symptoms of functional dyspepsia⁷.