Constipation, by definition, is a disorder with predominate symptoms of difficult, infrequent or incomplete defecation. The mean prevalence rate of chronic constipation is estimated at around 14% in general population. Non-organic constipation is a multifactorial disorder related to lifestyle, genetics, colon transit time, visceral sensitivity and serotonin level. According to several studies, many herbal medicines are effective in patients with chronic constipation, specially functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome constipation pre-dominant (IBS-C) and elderly constipation. Thereupon, we decided to review Persian herbal medicine in constipation.

We searched on electronic databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrain, Embase, Science direct, Web of science and SID with the aim to find clinical articles related to constipation and herbal medicine since 2019. We used such keywords as traditional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), herb, plant and constipation. Non-randomized clinical trial, non-relevant studies, supplement, vitamins, pre or probiotics and none Persian herbal drugs were excluded.

Finally, we found 15 randomized control trial with 13 persian herbal medicine that potentially improve constipation without remarkable adverse effect. Carica Ficus, Descuriania Sophia, Rosa domascena, Cassia fistula, Kammiphora mukul, Prunus domestica, Testa triticum, Cannabis sativa, Malva sylvestris, Pimpinella anisum, Zyziphus jujuba, Cassia augastifolia and a remedy of Pimpinalla anisum, Foeniculum vulgare, Sambucus nigra, Cassia augastifolia.

Herbal medicines are acting with prokinetic effects, enhancing and coordinating the gastrointestinal motility. Although more studies are needed to completely explain their mechanism, it seems Persian herbal medicine can be recommended as a complementary therapy along with lifestyle modification.