Skip to content
Rooted

Digestive

Chronic constipation

3 plants

Ask Assistant about this

Psyllium is the plant with outcome-shaped data. Senna works — and causes cramping, hypokalemia, and dependence-pattern use if you leave it on indefinitely. New constipation in older adults is a workup.

Primary plants

  1. Psyllium (Plantago ovata)
    1
    PsylliumHuman data

    Plantago ovata

    Soluble fiber with constipation and IBS-C data. Titrate with water.

    Typical. 5–10 g/day with a full glass of water.

    Safety. Obstruction if dry. Binds drugs.

  2. Senna (Senna alexandrina)
    2
    SennaHuman data

    Senna alexandrina

    Stimulant glycosides. Effective, short-term. Not a daily forever plant.

    Typical. Sennoside products at labeled short-course doses, usually hs.

    Safety. Hypokalemia, cramping. Avoid with digoxin/diuretics long-term. Pregnancy: usually avoid except obstetric protocols.

Supportive plants1
  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
    FennelStrong traditional
    Foeniculum vulgare

    Carminative adjunct when bloating accompanies hard stool.

    Typical. Seed tea.

    Safety. Not a laxative.

Clinical notes

  • Rule out obstruction, opioids, hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia.

When this is not enough

  • Acute abdomen, blood, weight loss, new severe constipation in the elderly

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All digestive diagnoses