Research:
Herbal Information
Senna Seed:
Traditionally people in northern Africa and southwestern Asia have used senna as a digestive purge or cleanser for centuries. It was considered a "cleansing" herb because of its cathartic (purging - cleansing) effect.
Senna is a popular herb with certain health benefits. The leaf and the seed are the most common parts of the plant to use.
Some of the active constituents are compounds called anthraquinones, which are powerful and effective cleansers.
Senna is also used by some for other purposes. One of which is weight loss.
Senna is an herb that is known world wide. We believe that its popularity comes from the results people experience when used for occasional bouts of constipation.
Researchers have found that active compounds, called sennosides, in senna work by promoting colon contractions which of course facilitates or promotes healthy bowel movements.
Senna may also prevent water and electrolytes from being reabsorbed by the colon. This action is thought to increase fluid available in the intestines which may soften fecal matter or stools.
Cascara Sagrada:
The literal Spanish translation of Cascara Segrada is Sacred Bark.
This is the name given to the plant by the Spanish Priests.
There are two possible reasons for the name.
One is that the bark was dried and used as a purgative by the priests.
The other is that the wood closely resembles the wood used to build the ark of the covenant.
Cascara Sagrada has active componants called anthraquinones. These are thought to be the reason that Cascara is an effective purgative or cleanser.
Anthraquinones are thought to stimulate the peristoltic muscles and thereby assist in the elimination of fecal matter from the colon.
Purging/ cleansing the bowel is cascara sagrada’s claim to fame. Having similar active constituents to Senna makes this a very synergistic herb for purging the lower GI (gastrointestinal tract).
Cascara Sagrada also has phytochemicals like aloe-emodin, casanthranol,chrysophanic acid and beta carotene. these are thought to assist with the purgative actions of the herb as well.
The anthraquinones and phytochemicals in Cascara Sagrada are thought to work as peristaltic stimulents.
Peristaltic muscles flex in a wave-like motion in the intestines. The wave-like motion causes fecal matter to move through the bowel to facilitate a healthy bowel movement.
While cleansing and purging the bowel in the elimination process Cascara Sagrada (Sacred Bark) also provides healthy micro-nutrients.
Cascara Sagrada contains healthy micro nutrients, calcium, iron, linoliec acid, magnesium, manganese, potasium and zinc to name a few. Plus a good helping of vitamin B complex and C
Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera has been known for its soothing properties for at least 6,000 years. In the early days, the plant was known for being a “plant of immortality” and was presented to Egyptian pharaohs as a funeral gift.
Over time, groups from many geographical areas have used aloe vera, including Indians, Chinese, Mexicans, and North Americans.
The Aloe Vera plant has leaves that are are thick green to grey-green and can sometimes display white spots. The plant is muck like a succulent in that the leaves are thick and contain a gel like substance.
Aloe Vera is most commonly used to promote health in two ways with two different parts of the plant.
First, the leaves are filled with a clear gel. This gel is extracted from the plant and usually used topically on the skin. Customarily it is applied to minor sun burns or scratches.
The second substance the plant produces is called aloe latex. This is the yellow pulp that’s found just under the outer part of the plant leaf. Aloe latex has been shown to have purgative properties, and it’s usually taken orally to to assist in promoting a healthy bowel movement.
Aloe latex contains aloin, which is an anthraquinone. As mentioned above anthraquinones are thought to work as peristaltic stimulents.
Aloe is safe to consume orally. It is thought that is provides the same soothing actions for the freshly cleansed colon as it provides for the skin when applied topically. When combining that with the purgative properties it is easy to see that Aloe Vera is a great herb vital to put in a healthy colon cleanse formula.
The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products that contain similar materials..
*Herbal Supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease.
Help Me Choose:
Healthy bowels and healthy colons are the key to better health and well being!
The colon is an important part of the digestive tract. In adult humans, the colon is about twenty five feet long and connects the small intestine to the rectum. The major function of the colon is to extract water, nutrients and salts/ minerals from the partially digested food that enters from the small intestine. Approximately 2 pints of partially digested liquid matter enters the colon each day and about 1/3 of a pint of a solid stool leaves the colon each day. The difference in the volume is due to the colon’s absorption of useful and/ or valuable portions of the partially digested food such as water nutrients and minerals. This is to say that the lion’s share of everything that enters the colon is extracted from the partially digested food and introduced into the body through the colon.
Colon motility (the contraction of the muscles surrounding the colon [the peristaltic muscles] and the movement of its contents) is controlled by nerves, hormones and impulses in the colon. These rhythmic contractions slowly move the contents inside the colon toward the rectum. During this passage, the water and nutrients are absorbed into the body and what is left over is fecal matter or the stool that is to be eliminated through the rectum. A few times each day, the contractions push the stool down to the end of the colon resulting in a bowel movement. A normal bowel movement is firm but not hard, contains no blood and is completely passed without cramps or pain. If the peristaltic muscles do not contract the right way then the contents inside the colon do not move correctly, they move too quickly or too slowly. This coupled with the types of food recently consumed can create overly watery or very hard stools. As a result abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, diarrhea and a sense of incomplete stool movement can occur.
What we eat is important to colon health!
There are other issues that need addressing as we cleanse our colons. It is important to consume water, not soda pop or other sugary liquids. With that being said we should also take a close look at our diet. Eating fatty fast foods accompanied with large amounts of breads and pasta’s will not help when trying to maintain a healthy digestive system. This is generally what creates the problem in the first place. Lastly it is important to know that when we cleanse our colon we will peel away layers of fecal matter and expose some potentially raw spots on our colon wall. This creates a need for some soothing agents like aloe and other herbs.
It is important to do everything possible to keep our colon healthy. Cleansing is a good place to start and a great process to be a part of a lifelong regimen. Cleansing may help to rid the toxins and waste products that build up in the colon. The build up of waste may even hamper our immune system and rob us of valuable energy.
Some people want to know the benefits of a colon cleanse or; “What’s in it for you?” That is a very valid question. I have listed a few benefits of colon cleansing below:
- Cleansing and detoxification:
Due to the large intake in the American diet of starchy foods, sugary foods and drink, partially hydrogenated oil, and preservatives, our body is sometimes unable to expel all that it has consumed. This leads to an accumulation of waste that can become toxic and unhealthy. When the purpose of the colon is considered it is logical to think that the toxins could be reabsorbed into our body. Failure to eliminate the toxins can then put extra burden on all of our internal organs. The filtering organs like the liver, kidney, skin (yes the skin is a filtering organ), lymph nodes and colon. Some of the negative effects from this accumulation might be lowered immunity, gastro intestinal issues, unclear skin (pimples), headaches, sluggishness or lack of energy and irregular bowel movements. Best practices would suggest that colon cleansing would be a good practice to put in a healthier lifestyle.
- Freedom from digestive tract issues:
The most common and easily identifiable symptoms of an unhealthy colon are constipation and irregular bowel movements. Stomach pains heartburn, acidity, gastritis, flatulence and bloating are also major symptoms that point toward an unhealthy and clogged colon. When you cleanse your colon using natural methods all of the waste and toxins being stored in the colon are flushed out. Your digestive system is the benefactor. It can resume its normal functioning, thus making you healthier and free from some of those digestive issues I mentioned above. This by itself is a worthwhile benefit, but it is just the beginning. This is the catalyst for some more and even more important benefits.
- Stronger, more effective immune system:
In review, I have established that toxins in the colin are detrimental to one's health. It stands to logic that toxins that remain in the colon may be reabsorbed into the blood stream and may hinder or impede the immune system. Best practices are to maintain a healthy bowel with proper diet, exercise and when needed, a mild supplement to help with the cleansing process.
- Greater energy and vitality:
A properly functioning colon - bowel is definitely a way to rejuvenate those youthful days when energy and vitality existed in abundance. Starting with metabolism (Metabolism, are the chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into energy) and ending with elimination or bowel movements the colon has a job to do. When done properly and efficiently we become energized from the process. It is my opinion that a healthy bowel is paramount to a healthy lifestyle.
- Final Thoughts:
I would urge you to try a good colon cleanse, hopefully ours. Our colon cleansing products like SuperLax and Herbal Colon Cleanser & Tonic have been time tested with millions of positive results. Our Herbal Colon Cleanse and Tonic in combination with our all natural SuperLax are the one – two punch that you need to start toward that most important colon cleanse. SuperLax and Herbal Colon Cleanse & Tonic are our best-selling products. Grandma's Herbs developed these two products in the 1970's. They have a history that started well before any colon cleanse craze started and have been proving themselves valuable to healthy people's lifestyle for over 40 years. I am confident that you will love the results and be back for more as you feel that you need them.
Works well in conjunction with Grandma's Herbs HERBAL COLON CLEANSER & TONIC for a more complete cleanse!!!
The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products on this website.
* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*
Health Information:
What exactly is the bowel?
The bowel also known as the colon is a part of the digestive system. More specifically the colon is part of the large intestine. The large intestine is the final part of the digestive system. We all have an idea of what happens in the digestive system. The bites of food that we consume orally starts by being chewed and swallowed. After that the upper GI - the stomach gives the food an acid wash to break it down. Once it's broken down the colon - large intestine - bowel starts to do the finish work. Good bacteria and digestive enzymes reduce the food to a molecular level and separate the nutrition from the waste. Once the nutrition is separated it is absorbed into the blood stream to deliver energy and vitality to the whole body.
What does the bowel do?
Its function is to absorb fluids and process waste products from the body and prepare for its elimination. The colon consists of four parts: descending colon, ascending colon, transverse colon, and sigmoid colon.
Why is it important to have regular bowel movements?
A healthy bowel movement is:
A healthy bowel movement is defined as the elimination of feces from the body. The feces should have a consistency that allows elimination without strain and should also be solid not liquid. If the feces is too hard it can require strain to push it out. This condition is often referred to as constipation. Sometimes constipation can cause a person to retain rather than eliminate the feces from the body. Constipation has other issues that come with it that will be discussed later. Feces that is eliminated in the form of liquid is called diarrhea. Often times diarrhea is the result of consuming food that might be tainted and doesn't agree with your constitution (digestion system). When tainted food is eaten the body liquifies it for immediate elimination.
The importance of REGULAR BOWEL MOVEMENTS.
The scientists and doctors who study the feces in human bowel movements have found that it's the byproduct of a diverse community of bacteria in your gut that impacts your health in all sorts of ways. Paying closer attention to your stool can tell you about the condition of these vital bacteria — and your overall health.
There are also other things that are being eliminated. The feces or stool consists of waste products that are being eliminated from the body. It may include undigested food particles, bacteria, salts, sulphers and other substances. All of the toxins, preservatives and other indigestible matter in the food that we eat are also eliminated. If a person thinks about it the purpose of elimination should be obvious. Anything that shouldn't be in the body or that might cause harm to the body needs to be eliminated. Thus, the importance of a regular, healthy bowel movement is very important to a person's overall health.
What are the most common bowel issues?
Constipation: con·sti·pa·tion n.
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry hardened feces from the bowels.
Obstruction; stultification.
Diarrhea: di·ar·rhe·a n.
A condition in which feces are discharged from the bowels frequently and in a liquid form.
What causes constipation?
Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. Almost everyone goes through it at some point.
Constipation usually occurs when stools remain in the colon (large intestine) for too long, and the colon absorbs too much water from the stools, causing them to become hard and dry.
The movement of the hard dry stool through the bowel requires serious effort. The stool causing the blockage can also be very uncomfortable.
What Are the Symptoms?
Few bowel movements
Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
Hard or small stools
A sense that everything didn’t come out.
Belly bloating
You also may feel like you need help to empty your bowels, such as pressing on or massaging your belly.
What are some easy natural ways to get relief from constipation?
Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another reason.
The extra liquid will possibly rehydrate the fecal matter and allow it to finish moving through the bowel.
Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber assists with healthy bowel movements.
Eat prunes and bran cereal.
Prunes are dried plums which are considered to be a super fruit. Prune are considered to be very good for your overall health because of the antioxidants and because of the laxative effects they have on the digestive tract. Prunes are effective laxatives because of their high sorbitol content.
Exercise most days of the week.
When you move your body, the muscles in your intestines are more active, too.
Don’t ignore the urge to poop. (ENOUGH SAID!!!)
What is a laxative?
Laxative: (laksədiv) n.
A food or drug that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.
adj: Stimulating evacuation of the bowels.
Causing looseness or relaxation, especially of the bowels.
History: [Middle English, from Old French laxatif, from Medieval Latin, preventing constipation, from Late Latin, assuaging, from Latin lax?ütus, past participle of lax?üre, to relax, from laxus, loose.]
It is very obvious that by definition there is a very specific action that is required before a food or drug can be considered to be a laxative. There are several different kinds of laxatives on the market today. Some of them are chemically based, such as drugs, both over the counter (OTC) and prescription and others are in food groups such as dried fruits or herbs.
Laxatives can also be grouped by mechanism of action.
Saline cathartics, include dibasic sodium phosphate, magnesium citrate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate, sodium biphosphate, and others. They act by attracting and holding water in the intestinal lumen and may produce a watery stool. Magnesium sulfate is the most potent in this group.
Hyperosmotic laxatives encourage bowel movements by drawing water into the bowel from surrounding body tissues. This provides a soft stool mass and increased bowel action.
A Docusate is the only real stool softener. It holds water in the fecal mass, creating a larger, softer stool. The issue here is that docusates have no effect on constipation since it must be present in the digestive tract before the fecal mass forms to have any effect. It may, however, be useful for prevention of recurrent temporary bouts of constipation.
A Stimulant, laxative increases the peristaltic movement of the intestine. Peristaltic movement is the rhythmic contraction of the peristaltic muscles which surround the intestine. The rhythmic contractions move the food/ fecal matter through the colon and out of the bowel.
Bulk producing laxatives or fiber increase the volume of the stool, and will both soften the stool and increase motility. The overall effect is similar to that of eating high fiber foods, this class and the stimulant class,(in moderation) of laxatives are the most common for regular use.
The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products on this website.
* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*
Ingredients:
Cascara Sagrada (bark), Psyllium (seeds), Senna (herb), Turkey Rhubarb (root), Aloe Vera (leaf), Barberry (root), Slippery Elm (bark)
Instructions:
Take 1 capsule the first night, then 2 the second night and continue to increase but do not exceed 4 capsules per night. The goal is to have 1 or 2 comfortable bowel movements every day. One capsule may be all you need to get the desired results. Some people need 3 or 4 per night. We recommend you increase by one capsule each night and find out what works best for you.
Your body makeup and your eating habits are very individual. That's why the dosage from person to person will be slightly different.
Works well in conjunction with Grandma's Herbs HERBAL COLON CLEANSER & Tonic for a more complete cleanse!!!
What’s Included:
1 Bottle of Grandma's Herbs SUPER LAX
100 Capsules
Features:
Gentle, Effective for the promotion of Healthy Bowel Movements
This all natural formula is especially good for cleansing the bowel.
Non habit forming
Cleansing action.
Works well in conjunction with Grandma's Herbs HERBAL COLON CLEANSER & TONIC for a more complete cleanse.
The information above is for informational purposes only. It does not reflect or relate to the performance or purpose of any products that contain similar materials.
* "Herbal supplements are not drugs. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.*
