Stool-softener Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

Categories / Herbal-action / Bowel-Poop-Elimination / stool-softener

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

INGREDIENTS WITH STOOL-SOFTENER QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System Meal Season

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Apple (cooked)
Aggravates
Apricot (dried)
Reduces
Beets
Mango
Molasses
Peaches
Salt (Mineral Salt)
Tamarind
Reduces
Almond Butter
Avocado
Ghee
Grape
Honey Dew
Lime
Persimmons
Sorghum Molasses
Aggravates
Tomato
Reduces
Allspice
Lemon

Browse Stool-softener Recipes

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH STOOL-SOFTENER QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Amalaki
Gandharvahasthadi Thailam
Haritaki
Reduces
Abhayrishta- Colon Tonic
Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam
Reduces
Psyllium Seed Fiber Supplement
Safed Musali
Shatavari
Reduces
Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam)
Simhanad Guggulu Tablets
Vidanga
Reduces
Triphala
Reduces
Cleaning the Colon: Safe Enema at Home
Triphala Guggulu
Incomplete
How to Do a Home Enema Guidebook

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING BOWEL-POOP-ELIMINATION

HELPFUL FOR*

'Stool-softener' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

Stool-softener Recipes Listed By Strength

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

Learn More

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

Stool-softener - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON STOOL-SOFTENER

INGREDIENTS WITH STOOL-SOFTENER QUALITY

Neutral (Tridoshic)

Aggravates

Reduces

Reduces

Aggravates

Reduces

General Laxative GENERAL-LAXATIVE Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives. SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Nutritive NUTRITIVE An herb that is strengthening and nourishing. SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

NUTRITIVE

Alkalizing ALKALIZING An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions. SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

ALKALIZING

Water WATER Resembles water (ap) in quality - fluid, sticky, soft, heavy, stable, cool. SEE ALL 'WATER' FOODS / HERBS

WATER

Earth EARTH Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard. SEE ALL 'EARTH' FOODS / HERBS

EARTH

Sattvic SATTVIC Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness. SEE ALL 'SATTVIC' FOODS / HERBS

SATTVIC

Ojas OJAS Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness. SEE ALL 'OJAS' FOODS / HERBS

OJAS

SIALOGOGUE

Quenches Thirst QUENCHES-THIRST An herb or substance that relieves thirst. SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

QUENCHES-THIRST

HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE

Rajasic RAJASIC Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement. SEE ALL 'RAJASIC' FOODS / HERBS

RAJASIC

Fire FIRE Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry. SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

FIRE

Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

DIGESTIVE

Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

ALTERATIVE

Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

DIURETIC

Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Carminative CARMINATIVE Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines. SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

CARMINATIVE

STIMULANT-LAXATIVE

Easy EASY Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

EASY

Hot HOT Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

HOT

Clear CLEAR Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

CLEAR

Cold COLD Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

COLD

Heavy HEAVY Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

HEAVY

Liquefied LIQUEFIED Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

LIQUEFIED

Light LIGHT Lightness is identified by reduced weight. SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

LIGHT

Oily OILY In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily. SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

OILY

Mobile MOBILE Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

MOBILE

Gooey GOOEY Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion. SEE ALL 'GOOEY' FOODS / HERBS

GOOEY

Difficult DIFFICULT Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. SEE ALL 'DIFFICULT' FOODS / HERBS

DIFFICULT

Dry DRY Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

DRY

Sweet SWEET Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

SWEET

Sour SOUR Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. SEE ALL 'SOUR' FOODS / HERBS

SOUR

Bitter BITTER Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying. SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

BITTER

Astringent ASTRINGENT Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

ASTRINGENT

Pungent PUNGENT Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

PUNGENT

Acrid ACRID Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee. SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

General Laxative
GENERAL-LAXATIVE
Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.
SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive
NUTRITIVE
An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.
SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Alkalizing
ALKALIZING
An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.
SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Water
WATER
Resembles water (ap) in quality - fluid, sticky, soft, heavy, stable, cool.
SEE ALL 'WATER' FOODS / HERBS

Earth
EARTH
Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard.
SEE ALL 'EARTH' FOODS / HERBS

Sattvic
SATTVIC
Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness.
SEE ALL 'SATTVIC' FOODS / HERBS

Ojas
OJAS
Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness.
SEE ALL 'OJAS' FOODS / HERBS

Quenches Thirst
QUENCHES-THIRST
An herb or substance that relieves thirst.
SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

Rajasic
RAJASIC
Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.
SEE ALL 'RAJASIC' FOODS / HERBS

Fire
FIRE
Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.
SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive
DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.
SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative
ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic
DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Carminative
CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Easy
EASY
Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.
SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

Hot
HOT
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

Clear
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

Cold
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

Heavy
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

Liquefied
LIQUEFIED
Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.
SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

Light
LIGHT
Lightness is identified by reduced weight.
SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

Oily
OILY
In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.
SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

Mobile
MOBILE
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

Gooey
GOOEY
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
SEE ALL 'GOOEY' FOODS / HERBS

Difficult
DIFFICULT
Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.
SEE ALL 'DIFFICULT' FOODS / HERBS

Dry
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

Sweet
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

Sour
SOUR
Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.
SEE ALL 'SOUR' FOODS / HERBS

Bitter
BITTER
Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.
SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

Astringent
ASTRINGENT
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Pungent
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Acrid
ACRID
Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.
SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Salty
SALTY
Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.
SEE ALL 'SALTY' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic
AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care
SKIN-CARE
Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).
SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

General Laxative
GENERAL-LAXATIVE
Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.
SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive
DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.
SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative
ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive
NUTRITIVE
An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.
SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Carminative
CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic
DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Ojas
OJAS
Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness.
SEE ALL 'OJAS' FOODS / HERBS