This relates to a question I received about a pregnant woman being able to use herbs for sluggish bowels, aka constipation. I have added information to include the larger question of using herbs in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Health Protection Branch Canada makes herbal companies put warnings on many herbal  labels, in fact on just about any formula that has any herb with any hormonal effect.  This encompasses a great deal of herbs, as Health Canada, doctors, and the medical industry do not understand the difference between hormones (made only by animals) and phyto hormones (found in plants). So anything they perceive to be of a hormonal nature is generally black listed for pregnancy or breastfeeding.

This is a shame, because for almost any challenge someone may experience during pregnancy, a herbal option will be far safer than any chemical drug , whether prescription or over the counter.  You can read  how adverse drug reactions have tripled between 1995 and 2005 making them the fourth leading cause of death in the North America, in a previous blog, North American Health or Sickness?

For one of the most effective herbal laxatives, LBS, or LB the liquid form, there is no warning.  Even if there was, I would still take this over any chemical based laxative because I know it works, plus I know it has several thousand years of historical safety.  I also understand how the health monopoly works, and who Health Protection Branch is protecting. Definitively NOT the public.

I have studied health full time for more than 35 years, and specifically herbs.  I know from experience of helping 10’s of thousands of people that herbs are about 160,000 times safer than any drug – prescription OR over the counter. This figure comes from  FDA statistics: 160,000 people die ANNUALLY from legal, approved drug use – not street drugs – zero die from herb use, even when not always taken as directed.

Any herbal combination that has buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) bark, or wild yam
(Dioscorea villosa) root, or about 1000 other herbs may carry a warning – I don’t care – when from a trusted, quality controlled herbal source like NSP,  used wisely, they are safe.

Compare this info on LB-X , another safe effective herbal laxative to a one of the “safer” medical alternatives, Senokot, a drug most commonly recommended by doctors:

LB-X Herbal Combination Intestinal System #1227-4 (100)
This laxative formula has been designed to enhance intestinal functions, a frequent need in our Western society. This combination contains dietary fibre (gives bulk to the stools), iron (digestion and elimination), manganese (for every gland), silica (mineral alterative), and riboflavin (essential to the production of enzymes).

 Senokot:     http://www.drugs.com/sfx/senokot-side-effects.html

“Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking senna (the active ingredient contained in Senokot) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your healthcare provider at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, watery diarrhea;
• weight loss;
• worsening constipation after you stop taking senna;
• enlargement of your fingers and toes;
• low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects of senna may include:

• stomach cramps, bloating, gas, mild diarrhea;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• joint pain; or
• discolored urine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side effect.”

Some herbal formulas DO contain senna (not a chemical form of it), but as they are properly combined and formulated, I have never had a negative experience with anyone. However, senna is NOT used in LB-X or LBS or LB because of the possibility.

More warnings, from another site on this pharmaceutical alternative, Senokot: this link is no longer working, but side effects copied from that site are below:

“Do not use laxative products (Senekot) when abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting is present unless directed by a physician. If you have noticed a sudden change in bowel movements that persists over a period of two weeks, consult a physician before using a laxative. Do not use Laxative products for longer than 1 week unless told to do so by a doctor. Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use of a laxative may indicate a serious condition; discontinue use and consult your physician. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of a health professional before using these products. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Keep out of children’s reach.”

Yet people take these daily! A huge seller.

Many people, who need assistance to have a minimum of 1 bowel movement per day, have used LBS, LB or LB-X for more than 30 years, with NO problems. Generally with herbal laxatives, the longer you take them, the less you need – a true sign that the condition is improving. With drugs, the opposite usually occurs.

Despite all this information, people still have to make their own choices. Using herbs that have a proven history of roughly 5000 years, or synthetic drugs full of known side effects, or being constipated and internally polluting the bloodstream.

Just like the drugs, seek the advice of a health professional before using these products – but if you are concerned about your health, seek a person with a knowledge in natural remedies! Trust the experience of millennium of traditional use.

A previous article on Having Healthy Babies will give you some good ideas on addressing other issues of conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding naturally.

Cheers to healthy Moms and healthy children !

Contact our office if you would like more information or to set up a wholesale account from our herbal supplier, delivered to your home. 250-748-6802, or email TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com