Evidence supporting the use of: Rubiaceae
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
The use of plants from the Rubiaceae family to support or treat constipation, particularly in children, is primarily rooted in traditional medicine rather than robust scientific validation. The Rubiaceae family is a large plant family that includes many genera, such as Coffea (coffee), Cinchona, Morinda, and others. In various traditional medicine systems, especially in African, Asian, and South American contexts, certain Rubiaceae plants—such as Morinda citrifolia (noni) and some species of Gardenia—have been used as mild laxatives or remedies for digestive complaints, including constipation.
For example, traditional healers in parts of Africa and Asia have administered decoctions made from specific Rubiaceae species to children experiencing constipation. The presumed activity is often attributed to the presence of anthraquinones or other phytochemicals that can stimulate bowel movements. However, scientific studies directly evaluating the efficacy and safety of these plants for pediatric constipation are sparse. The majority of available evidence is anecdotal or based on ethnobotanical surveys rather than controlled clinical trials.
In summary, while the traditional use of certain Rubiaceae plants for constipation is documented, especially in folk medicine, there is limited clinical or pharmacological evidence to support their efficacy and safety for this purpose in children. Therefore, the evidence rating is low, and caution is advised until further research is conducted.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-FucosyllactoseAgar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Rubiaceae
AnemiaAppetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Depression
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gonorrhea
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Jaundice (adults)
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
PMS (general)
