Evidence supporting the use of: Date Palm
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), commonly known as dates, has a long history of traditional use for alleviating constipation, particularly in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cultures. The fruits are naturally high in dietary fiber, especially insoluble fiber, which is known to promote bowel regularity by adding bulk to stool and facilitating intestinal movement. Historical medical texts and folk remedies frequently cite the use of dates as a gentle laxative or digestive aid, often recommending their consumption with water or milk to ease constipation.
While the traditional basis for using dates against constipation is strong, scientific validation is relatively limited. Some recent laboratory and small clinical studies have shown that regular consumption of dates can improve stool frequency and consistency, likely due to their fiber content and natural sugars that may have an osmotic laxative effect. For instance, a small randomized crossover study in healthy adults indicated improved bowel movement frequency and softer stool following daily date consumption. However, these studies are few, with modest sample sizes, short durations, and a lack of research involving patients with chronic constipation.
In summary, the use of Date Palm for constipation is primarily rooted in tradition, with some emerging but not yet robust scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. The overall level of evidence is moderate based on traditional use and limited clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)
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bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
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black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
blackberry
broccoli
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
carrot
cauliflower
celery
chamomile
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
cinnamon
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
dog rose
melon
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
green banana
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
cellulose
Indian gum arabic tree
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inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
kale
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lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mango
mannitol
moringa
nettle
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ophiopogon root
orange
parsley
pear
pectin
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pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
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butyric acid
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
redcurrant
rhizome
rhubarb root
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sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
triphala
almond fruit
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seaweed
watercress
watermelon
xylooligosaccharides
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tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
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mugwort
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neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
peony
lingusticum wallichii
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
flowering quince
dioscorea
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
caraway
purslane
senna
aster root
peach
noni
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
millet seed
algae
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
sea salt
Agar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Auricularia
Amomum
Avocado
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
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Buttermilk
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
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Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
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Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
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Borneol
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Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
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California chia
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coconut oil
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Cactus
Cynomorium
Cape Aloe
Citrus
Cantaloupe
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Chinese Raisintree
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Curcumen
Chard
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
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Chondrus
Dianthus
Dextrin
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Dianthrone
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Date
Dulse
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Emodin
Fig
Fiber
Flavonoids
Galangal
Lotus
Molasses
Phosphate Salt
Prickly Pear Cactus
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Sumac
Vinegar
Wheat
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Date Palm
AnemiaAppetite (deficient)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Constipation (adults)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Nephritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Stress
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores