Sure, and they can even work a little too well :lol: so be careful with the amounts !
Cape Aloe
A native of Africa, Cape Aloe
embodies all the soothing and
healthful properties of its aloe
cousins. Health practitioners
around the world have been using
aloes for years to help speed the
healing of wounds, burns, and
abrasions, and to stimulate the
digestive system. Its use as a
purgative (something that stimulates
bowel movements) is well
documented. The gel of the Cape
Aloe contains particularly high
amounts of calcium and over 34
amino acids. And the dried latex
taken from the sheaf cells in the
leaves is used as a laxative. In
fact, it's listed as an official drug
in the U.S. Pharmacopia.
Cape Aloe's usefullness as a laxative
is realated to its high concentration
of anthraquinone glycosides,
which are converted into
aglycones by intestinal bacteria.
They interact with the cells in the
colon walls, increasing the transportation
of water and salts from
the cells into the intestinal tract.
Senna
A beneficial plant with an
Arabian name, Senna has been
cultivated in Egypt, Arabia, and
environs since ancient times. A
member of the pea family, senna's
purgative elements are close to
aloe and rhubarb in that the active
ingredients are the anthraquinone
glycosides. The active purgative
property, discovered in 1866, was
named cathartic acid. Senna especially
stimulate peristalsis in the
colon. It also has a mild cathartic
or cleansing effect on the GI tract.
Cascara Sagrada
Its name means "sacred bark,"
and its usefulness for helping ease
constipation and upset stomachs
was introduced to the Spanish and
Mexican explorers by Native
Americans in the 17th century.
Cascara sagrada is commonly
used to help alleviate problems
with chronic constipation. Known
for its mildness as a laxative, it
can also help strengthen the colon,
liver, gall bladder, and entire
digestive system. It has been
shown to help with cleansing and
detoxifying the digestive tract. It
also has antiparasitic properties.
Barberry Rootbark
A brushy shrub found throughout
much of Europe, Northern
Africa, and Asia. Barberry has
health benefits as a tonic, purgative,
and antiseptic. Health practitioners
around the world have
used barberry for thousands of
years for everything from dysentery
and stomach problems to skin
conditions, inflammation, high
blood pressure, and as an appetite
stimulant.
One of its key active ingredients,
the alkaloid berberine, is the
focus of much of the research into
the health benefits of barberry as
they relate to its antibacterial
capacities. Berberine actually
inhibits bacteria from attaching to
cell membranes in the body, thus
keeping infection at bay. The
alkaloids and other bitter compounds
in barberry stimulate
digestive function, particularly by
helping to increase the flow of
bile into the GI tract.
Ginger Root
Used for centuries to stop
scurvy, sea-sickness, hair loss, and
generally aid in digestion, ginger
root is considered the "universal
medicine" by India's Ayurvedic
herbalists. It increases the production
of digestive fluids and saliva,
and thus helps to relieve indigestion
and various stomach and
digestive disturbances, including
motion sickness. Ginger increases
the tone and movement of the
intestines.
African Bird Pepper (Cayenne)
The potent cayenne pepper has
been used for centuries to help
ease stomach pains, cramping, and
gas, as well as to treat circulatory
system problems. African Bird
Pepper has a pungent, hot taste,
and works well as a stimulant and
anti-inflammatory agent. It stimulates
gastric secretions and metabolic
activity.
Fennel
The seeds of the fennel plant are
well known to most cooks as a
flavorful addition to many dishes,
from meats to soups. This common
herb is often used to promote
good digestion. It is known as a
carminative, which means it helps
relieve intestinal gas and cramps.
One of fennel's major constituents
-- terpenoid anethole -- inhibits
spasms in smooth muscles, such
as are found in the digestive tract.
This is likely the source of fennel's
carminative reputation.
Sorry for the strange format, I did all that copying and pasting not to post a commercial website