aperient
Gentle digestive mover
Aperient is a somewhat dated medical term for a mild laxative—something that gently loosens the bowels without the aggressive action of a stronger purgative.
It appears as both noun and adjective: The doctor recommended an aperient to ease her constipation.
The word shares its Latin root with "aperture," both relating to opening.
Substance inducing evacuation
- catharticEmotionally releasing, relieving
- sennaCathartic-yielding shrub
- cascaraMedicinal tree bark
- lactuloseSynthetic sugar, medicinal purgative
sorbitol · glycerin · suppository · enema · osmotic · stimulant · psyllium · docusate
Involuntary digestive muscle waves
- bowelInternal digestive organ
- intestinalOf the gut
- gastrointestinalRelating to digestive tract
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
regularity · motility · colon · rectum · evacuation · transit · fiber · roughage
purgative
Substance inducing evacuation
lactulose · sorbitol · glycerin · suppository · enema · osmotic · stimulant · psyllium · docusate · fleet
peristalsis
Involuntary digestive muscle waves
- bowelInternal digestive organ
- intestinalOf the gut
- gastrointestinalRelating to digestive tract
elimination · regularity · motility · colon · rectum · evacuation · transit · fiber · roughage · bran
mild
Moderate in intensity
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- nonirritatingNot causing inflammation
- softeningBecoming less firm
lubricant · light · bland · smooth · lenitive · emollient · gradual · moderate · subtle · delicate
aperientcostive
Chronically unable to defecate
constipating · binding · astringent · antidiarrheal · styptic