Evidence supporting the use of: Sicklepod
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) has been traditionally used in various cultures as a remedy for constipation, including use in children. The plant contains anthraquinone glycosides, which are chemically related to compounds found in senna (Senna alexandrina), a well-known stimulant laxative. Historical and ethnobotanical sources document the use of sicklepod seeds and leaves as a purgative in regions of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The laxative effect is attributed to the plant’s ability to stimulate peristalsis, thus promoting bowel movements. However, while this traditional use is well-recorded, there is a lack of high-quality clinical trials or rigorous scientific studies directly evaluating the efficacy and safety of sicklepod specifically for childhood constipation. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about potential toxicity, especially with chronic or high-dose use, including hepatotoxicity and other adverse effects. As a result, although traditional use exists, the evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness—particularly in children—is limited. It is not commonly recommended in modern medical practice for pediatric constipation, and safer, well-studied alternatives are preferred. Therefore, while the traditional evidence justifies its use historically, the overall strength of evidence is modest (rated 2/5), and caution is advised regarding its use in children.
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 Sicklepod
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Anemia
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Chest Pain
Chills
Cholera
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cuts
Debility
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Edema
Fever
