What is an Aperient?

Herbs with this action are a mild and gentle form of laxative that primarily stimulate the appetite. Without stimulating the bowels directly, natural bowel movements and function are promoted.

How Aperients Work

Aperients can be bitters, hepatics or gentle laxatives that work by gently stimulating the digestive process primarily through the liver, but also through other parts of the digestive system as a whole.

Herbal Examples: 

• Juniperus communis (Juniper)
• All Bitters, Hepatics & Laxatives in low doses

• Adapted from David Hoffman’s ‘The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism”.