Bulk – formatting laxative
Lini Semen
Flaxseed (Linseed)
Linum usitatissimum L. [Fam. Linaceae]
Pharmacology: The fiber in flaxseed binds with water, swelling to form a gel which, like
other forms of fiber, helps soften the stool and move it along in the intestines.
Used as a medicine for treating chronic or occasional constipation, as a soothing, non‐
irritating bulk laxative; for alleviating irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis.
Ingredients: fiber (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin), fatty oils are over 50%, omega‐3
fatty acids, albumin, linustatin, and linamarin.
Promoting bowel evacuation by increasing fecal volume. Bulk‐forming laxatives draw water
into the stool to create large soft stools. The larger stools help trigger the bowel to contract
and move the stools out. Bulk‐forming laxatives are recommended for constipation. They
dissolve or swell in the intestines, lubricate and soften the stool, and make the passage of
bowel movements easier and more frequent.
Ispaghula husk
The alkali soluble fraction of the husk consisting of highly substituted arabinoxylan
polysaccharides. These polysaccharides are linear chains of xylose units to which are
attached single units of arabinose and additional xylose. It contains about 75.0% fiber.
Stimulates lining of colon, increasing peristalsis and water absorption of stool and
promoting evacuation. It increases stool weight and water content due to the biber residue,
water bount to the biber residue and increased faecal bacterial mass. The increased volume
of intestinal contents reduces colonic transit time and the frequency of defecation is
increased.
2. Plants ordered in mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa, peptic and duodenal ulcers,
gastroenteritis, etc.
Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis L. [Fam. Malvaceae]
The roots of marshmallow are rich in mucilage., (mixture of polysaccharides that form a
soothing gelatinous fiber when water is added). The Pharmacopoeia recommends
marshmallow root tea for treating inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth
and throat and the associated dry cough. Researchers have found that marshmallow
soothes and inhibits mucociliary activity (suppresses coughs) and stimulates phagocytosis.
Mucilage, a good source of soluble fibre, is particularly recommended for soothing
gastrointestinal diseases. The viscous fiber has several beneficial effects on digestion: 1)
reduces bowel transit time 2) it absorbs toxins from the bowel; 3) increases fecal bulk and
dilutes stool materials thereby reducing stool contact with the gastrointestinal mucosa; and
4) it enhances beneficial bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract and provides an excellent
substrate for bacterial fermentation. Mucilage, as soluble fibre, also helps to eliminate
anaerobic pathogens from the gastrointestinal tract.
Ingredients: The roots of marshmallow contain: 5‐10% mucilage (levels vary greatly
depending upon time of harvest and post‐harvest processing). The mucilage is made up of a
complex mixture of acidic polysaccharides containing arabinose, glucose, rhamnose,
galactose and galacturonic acid. The roots also contain pectin, sugars, asparagines and small
amounts of sterols.
3. Plants soothing mucosa and skin irritation
Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis L. [Fam. Malvaceae]
Mucilage has the tendency to draw water to it so that when water is added it swells to form
a viscous fluid. It is able to form a protective layer over mucous membranes and skin thus
effectively soothing irritation and relieving inflammation. Studies on irritated mucus
membranes have shown that the mucilage of marshmallow binds to buccal membranes and
other mucous membranes of the body.
4. Plants recommended in obesity
Fucus vesiculosus L. [Fam. Fucaceae]
Bladderwrack
Fuci thallus
The mucilaginous complex polysaccharides in Fucus (brown algae, including alginic acid,
fucoidan and laminarin), have a soothing and cleansing effect on the digestive tract. They
are hydrasorbent laxatives because they swell to 20 times their original volume by
absorbing water. Bladderwrack mucilage is also useful for treating irritated mucus
membranes. Strong adhesive processes are observed with polysaccharides from Fucus
vesiculosus. Bladderwrack is also an excellent source of iodine, a major component of the
human hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine that affect weight gain and cellular
metabolic rates.
Ingredients: Polysaccharides: alginic acid (algin) as the major component; fucoidan and
laminarin (sulphated polysaccharide esters). Total iodine varies between 0.1 to 0.8%.
Part occurs as iodide but more than half is bound to proteins or amino acids. Diiodotyrosine
and iodine derivatives of thyronine have been identified.
Pharmacology: Because of the iodine content, it is thought to stimulate the thyroid gland
and increasing basal metabolism and may assist the lipid balance associated with obesity.
5. Plant diuretics
Verbascum densiflorum
Mullein Flower
Used in folk medicine as a diuretic.
Couch grass rhizome
Diuretic effects: An aqueous infusion of couch grass rhizome will increase urine volume and
increase calcium excretion while reducing magnesium excretion.
Ingredients: Polysaccharides (Triticin) 12%, flavonoids, phenolic glucosides, essential oil,
phenylproponoid esters, and other componets.
6. Plants used in gout and rheumatic disorders
Graminis rhizoma
Couch grass rhizome
Indications: The drug is also used in folk medicine for gout, rheumatic complaints and
chronic skin conditions.
Bladderwrack
Symptomatic relief of rheumatism.
7. Prebiotic
Ispaghula husk
Plantaginis ovatae testa
As a bulk forming Laxative it increases stool weight and water content due to the fibre
residue, water bound to the fibre residue and increased faecal bacterial mass.
Lini Semen
Flaxseed (Linseed)
Linum usitatissimum L. [Fam. Linaceae]
This lignan is metabolized by intestinal flora to the lignans enterodiol (2,3,‐bis(3‐
hydrm:ybenzyl)‐butane‐ l ,4‐diol) and eoterolactone (trans‐2,3‐bis(3‐hydroxybenzyl)‐
y‐butyrolactone) 14‐16] which have a structural similarity to diethylstilbestrol .
8. Plants for common cold
LIME TREE FLOWER
Tiliae flos
Uses: Alleviation of cough irritation due to catarrh of the respiratory tract; feverish common
colds forwhich a sweat treatment is desired.
Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis L. [Fam. Malvaceae]
Marshmallow root macerate is a component in cough and cold preparations.
Irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough.
Trmilago Jaifara L. (coltsfoot),
Asteraceae.
Used for: Acute catarrh of the respiratory tract with cough and hoarseness; acute, mild
inflammations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.
Ingredients: 6‐10% acidic mucilagepolysaccharides and inulin [2‐4) as well as incompletely
characterized tannins (about 5 %) and small amounts of flavonoids, various plant acids,
triterpencs and sterols.
Tiliae flos
Lime Flower
To relieve irritated coughs in catarrhs of the respiratory tract due to the effects of the
mucilage coating the pharyngeal mucosa.
Ingredients: Drugs also contains about 10% mucilage of complex composition
9. Plants improving digestion
Ispaghula Husk
Plantaginis ovatae testa
As a bulk forming Laxative it increases stool weight and water content due to the fibre
residue, water bound to the fibre residue and increased faecal bacterial ma..o:;s
Lini Semen
Flaxseed (Linseed)
Linum usitatissimum L. [Fam. Linaceae]
Pharmacology: The fiber in flaxseed binds with water, swelling to form a gel which, like
other forms of fiber, helps soften the stool and move it along in the intestines.
Flaxseed has traditionally been used as a medicine for treating chronic or occasional
constipation, as a soothing, non‐irritating bulk laxative; for alleviating irritable bowel
syndrome and diverticulitis
Ispaghula husk
Stimulates lining of colon, increasing peristalsis and water absorption of stool and
promoting evacuation. It increases stool weight and water content due to the biber residue,
water bount to the biber residue and increased faecal bacterial mass. The increased volume
of intestinal contents reduces colonic transit time and the frequency of defecation is
increased.
10. Plant sedatives
Tiliae Flos
Lime flower
Has been used as a sedative in folk medicine.
11. Plants used in skin diseases
For cold sore
Mullein: virucidal activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1
For vitiligo and psoriasis
Lichen islandicus
Iceland moss
Anti‐inflammatory activity: Tiliroside inhibited croton for poorly healing wounds applied
to poorly healing wounds (due to the antibiotic effect of the lichen acids