Herbs and Spices
Rectal bleeding is usually not a serious problem. Some herbs interact with medication or irritate medical conditions. Some herbal laxatives have warnings printed on them to discontinue use if rectal bleeding occurs after use. The warning is necessary because the herbal laxative interacts with other medications or has an effect on an existing medical condition.
Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorn Berries
Hawthorn berries are used by ancient and modern medicine men to lower blood pressure and act as a mild heart tonic. Hawthorn berries are used as a tea to treat irritable bowel syndrome and relieve constipation and gas, but crushed hawthorn berries used to treat colitis and diarrhea caused by Crohn's disease can result in rectal bleeding. Tea made from the flowers and stems does not cause rectal bleeding.
Ginseng
The Mayo Clinic supports the antioxidant effects of ginseng that reduce low-density lipoprotein and blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and does not find ginseng dangerous in any way. The Mayo Clinic supports that ginseng may boost the immune system and improve effectiveness of antibiotics for acute bronchitis and enhance response to flu vaccines, but it does not support other claims attributed to ginseng.
Psylium Heart Health and Laxatives
Psyllium, also called ispaghula, is a high -evel soluble dietary fiber ingredient in bulk laxatives, such as Metamucil. Psyllium has also been used to lower cholesterol and lipoprotein levels. Heartwise and Bran Buds cereals contain psyllium to promote "heart health."
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Psyllium-containing products may delay gastric emptying time and reduce the absorption of some herbs, supplements, vitamins or minerals. Absorption of calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B12 may also be affected. Psyllium and chitosan together may increase fat excretion in the stool.
Side Effects of Psyllium
Allergic reactions, some severe, have been experienced by healthcare workers preparing psyllium-containing laxatives. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract may result from use of psyllium laxatives, particularly in patients with prior bowel surgeries or anatomic abnormalities, or when taken without adequate water.
Psyllium preparations have been used for more than 20 years to treat irritable bowel syndrome with conflicting outcomes. In some cases, psyllium fiber worsened the bowel syndrome causing rectal bleeding. Psyllium reacts with other medications and should not be used without a doctor's supervision.
Herbal Laxatives
Shaklee Herb-Lax is a mixture of calcium, iron, senna leaf, licorice root, buckthorn bark, alfalfa leaf, fennel seed, aniseed powder¸ rhubarb root, blue malva and culvers root powder. Herb-Lax has the following warning on its label: "Laxatives may affect how drugs work. Stop use if rectal bleeding occurs after use of this product."
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