Diet Plans Other Diets The Bowtrol Cleanse Colon Cleanse Supplement By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Fact checked by Fact checked by Andrea Rice on November 04, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Andrea Rice is an award-winning journalist and a freelance writer, editor, and fact checker specializing in health and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Andrea Rice Updated on November 04, 2020 Print Hakat / Getty Images Bowtrol™ is a dietary supplement marketed as an herbal colon cleanser. It contains the following ingredients: cascara sagradaturkey rhubarbbentonite clayaloe veraslippery elm barkflax seedssenna leaf and podswormwood herb powderblack seedspeppermint leaf powderolive leaf extractthyme flower/leaf/stemgarlic bulb extractorganic cloves Claims for Bowtrol's Benefits In alternative medicine, Bowtrol is purported to promote optimal colon health by cleansing your system of toxins. According to the product's website, the supposed benefits of this detox process include increased absorption of nutrients, improved concentration, weight loss, clearer skin, and better energy. Bowtrol's manufacturer also claims that the supplement can help treat gastrointestinal problems like constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. Bowtrol as a Colon Cleanse Although Bowtrol has not been scientifically studied for its health effects, a number of its ingredients have shown certain benefits in clinical research. However, since Bowtrol does not disclose the dosage of any individual ingredients, it's impossible to determine each ingredient's efficacy (or safety) as it's used in the supplement. Here's a look at several of the herb ingredients found in Bowtrol: 1) Cascara Sagrada With a long history of traditional use by Native Americans, cascara sagrada may act as an herbal laxative. The herb contains anthraquinones, which are compounds that trigger contractions in the colon and, in turn, may help stimulate the bowels. 2) Senna Also rich in anthraquinones, senna offers laxative effects and is often included herbal detox remedies. 3) Flax Seeds High in soluble fiber, flax seeds have been shown to serve as a natural laxative. 4) Peppermint Emerging research on humans suggests that consuming peppermint oil may stimulate the flow of bile. Research has shown that bile acids, which are secreted by the liver into the digestive system, are natural laxatives that stimulate bowel movements. 5) Garlic Garlic has a number of health benefits and is said to help boost the immune system. Indeed, a 2014 review indicates that the herb helps support the body's immunity. Caveats There are a number of safety concerns associated with Bowtrol's ingredients. Some precautions to consider: Consult with your doctor before you take herbs containing anthraquinone, especially if you have conditions such as diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, severe hemorrhoids, blood vessel disease, congestive heart failure, heart disease, severe anemia, abdominal hernia, gastrointestinal cancer, recent colon surgery, liver disease, or kidney disease.A number of the herbs found in Bowtrol may interact with (or interfere with the absorption of) certain medications.Neither senna nor cascara sagrada should be taken for more than six days (except under the supervision of a health professional).Keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety and dietary supplements are largely unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances such as heavy metals. While consumers face such risks when purchasing any dietary supplement, these risks may be of greater magnitude in the purchase of products containing a variety of herbs in varying doses.Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You can get further tips on using supplements. Keeping Your Colon Healthy Due to the lack of supporting evidence, it's too soon to recommend Bowtrol as a treatment for any health condition. If you're considering trying it, make sure to talk with your health care provider first. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences. You can also take these steps to keep your colon healthy in the everyday: Eat less meat, particularly red meat Follow a fiber-rich diet (including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds)Limit your alcohol consumptionExercise regularly Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bowtrol Colon Health Support. How Bowtrol Colon Health Support Works. Cirillo C, Capasso R. Constipation and Botanical Medicines: An Overview. Phytother Res. 2015;29(10):1488-1493. doi:10.1002/ptr.5410 Liu LWC. Chronic constipation: Current treatment options. Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:22B-28B. Soltanian N, Janghorbani M. A randomized trial of the effects of flaxseed to manage constipation, weight, glycemia, and lipids in constipated patients with type 2 diabetes. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2018;15:36. doi:10.1186/s12986-018-0273-z Marciani L, Cox EF, Hoad CL, et al. Effects of various food ingredients on gall bladder emptying. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67(11):1182-1187. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2013.168 Camilleri M. New treatment options for chronic constipation: mechanisms, efficacy and safety. Can J Gastroenterol. 2011;25 Suppl B:29B-35B. Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014;4(1):1-14. Wang J, Fang H, Dong B, et al. Effects of Free Anthraquinones Extract from the Rhubarb on Cell Proliferation and Accumulation of Extracellular Matrix in High Glucose Cultured-Mesangial Cells. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2015;19(6):485-489. doi:10.4196/kjpp.2015.19.6.485 Cleveland Clinic. Laxative Medications After Transplant: Procedure Details. Updated March 20, 2019. Jairoun AA, Shahwan M, Zyoud SH. Heavy Metal contamination of Dietary Supplements products available in the UAE markets and the associated risk. Sci Rep. 2020;10:18824. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-76000-w National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. What You Need to Know. Updated September 3, 2020.