purgatives
Medicines inducing evacuation
Purgatives are substances that promote bowel evacuation—laxatives, especially strong ones.
The term comes from the same root as purge, suggesting cleansing or emptying.
In older medical practice, purgatives were administered to rid the body of supposed toxins or ill humors: The doctor prescribed purgatives and bed rest.
The word now sounds somewhat dated, replaced in everyday speech by laxative.
Emotionally releasing, relieving
- aperientMild bowel-loosening agent
- laxativePromotes intestinal evacuation
- enemaRectal fluid injection
- suppositoryInsertable solid medication
senna · castor oil · lactulose · psyllium · stool softener · glycerin · mineral oil · stimulant
Cathartic-yielding shrub
- cascaraMedicinal tree bark
- rhubarbTart red cooking stalks
- aloeMedicinal gel plant
- buckthornThorny shrub, often invasive
prunes · flaxseed · castor bean · licorice root · dandelion · figs · tamarind · folk remedy
Removal of contaminants
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- expiationRedress for offense
confession · penance · mortification · fasting · ritual · sin · guilt · repentance
To let go
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- expulsionForced permanent removal
ridding · clearing out · detoxification · removal · liberation · freeing · discharge · venting
cathartic
Emotionally releasing, relieving
suppository · senna · castor oil · lactulose · psyllium · stool softener · glycerin · mineral oil · stimulant · osmotic
senna
Cathartic-yielding shrub
buckthorn · prunes · flaxseed · castor bean · licorice root · dandelion · figs · tamarind · folk remedy · traditional
purification
Removal of contaminants
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
expiation · confession · penance · mortification · fasting · ritual · sin · guilt · repentance · catharsis
release
To let go
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
expulsion · ridding · clearing out · detoxification · removal · liberation · freeing · discharge · venting · outpouring
- folk medicinefolk medicine, herbalism, herbal remedies, folk healer, herbal medicine
- laxativeslaxative, laxatives, stool softener, stool softeners, cathartic
- old curesbloodletting, leeching, cupping, bleeding, phlebotomy
- old remediescalomel, laudanum, tartar emetic, nostrum, patent medicines
- ancient pharmacypharmacopoeia, apothecary, medicinal herbs, medicinal plants, herbal remedies
- old medicinebloodletting, leeches, leech therapy, leeching, cupping
purgativesbinding agents
Substances creating cohesion
antidiarrheals · astringents · loperamide · kaolin · pectin
purgativesabsorbents
Materials that take in liquids
retentives · antispasmodics · anticholinergics · protectants
- drastic purgativeStrong bowel-emptying medicine