Gentle Lax (Excess)

• Constipation
• Excess-type constipation with red tongue, yellow tongue coat, and red face
• Food stagnation or indigestion with abdominal distension and pain

• Strong laxative effect which treats moderate to severe constipation
• Emollient effect which lubricates the bowels and promotes normal peristalsis of intestines
• Increases intestinal peristalsis and removes food stagnation

This is a strong herbal formula that should be reserved for those with severe constipation. Stop taking the herbs when the desired effect is achieved. Use of Gentle Lax
(Excess) at a large dosage or for a prolonged period of time is not recommended as it may cause diarrhea and dehydration.
Patients with intestinal obstruction should be referred to a medical doctor for immediate help. Surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases.

Patients with hemorrhoids should only take Gentle Lax (Excess) to relieve constipation. Should more bleeding occur, stop taking the formula immediately and switch to Notoginseng 9 instead.
A more serious etiology should be suspected if the constipation is accompanied by vomiting, blood in the stools, weight loss, or a distended, tympanitic abdomen.

This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.

Gentle Lax (Excess) may be irritating to the intestinal mucosa. Patients should take this formula with caution by starting with a lower dosage or taking it with food.

The following warning statement is required by the State of California: ―This product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Fan Xie Ye (Folium Sennae). Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) and Fan Xie Ye (Folium Sennae) may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing,
taking medication, or have a medical condition.

• Eat plenty of foods with high fiber, such as fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, peas, sweet potatoes, and whole grains.
• Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses per day.
• A combination of honey with grapefruit will also relieve dry stool or constipation.
• Prunes or prune juice are very effective to regulate bowels and relieve mild cases of constipation.
• Long-term use of laxatives wipes out the normal flora of the intestines and leads to frequent constipation and/or secondary infections. Therefore, if purgatives are to be used for a prolonged period of time, acidophilus should also be used to replenish the ―good‖ intestinal flora.
• Increase intake of nourishing, cooling foods/roots such as Mexican yam, yam, radishes, potatoes, carrots, melons, cucumbers, beets, turnips, malanga, celeriac, taro, and rutabaga.
• Avoid deep-fried foods. Follow a low-fat diet.
• Avoid fatty and spicy foods, which may irritate the mucous membranes of the intestines.
• Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables such as pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, funnel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi.
• Avoid stress, anxiety and tension whenever possible.
• Exercise regularly to increase peristalsis of the intestines. Walking is one of the best exercises as it massages the intestines to regulate the bowels.
• Do not suppress the urge to relieve the bowels. Suppressing the urge is one of the main causes of chronic constipation. Empty the bowels whenever there is a desire, especially in the morning when the digestive system is most active.
• Massaging the abdomen along the directional flow of the large intestine (clock-wise) will also help.
• Patients with hemorrhoids should not lift anything heavy.

Take 3 to 4 capsules three times daily with warm water. To avoid stomach discomfort for individuals with sensitive gastrointestinal tract, take the herbs with meals, or decrease dosage and increase frequency of intake. The recommended starting dosage is 2 capsules four times daily.

• Radix Paeoniae Alba
• Radix et Rhizoma Rhei
• Folium Sennae
  Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis
  Natrii Sulfas
  Semen Persicae
  Fructus Aurantii Immaturus)