purgative

cathartic

 [kah-thahr´tik]

1. causing emptying of the bowels.

2. an agent that so acts; called also evacuant and purgative.

3. producing emotional catharsis.

bulk cathartic one stimulating bowel evacuation by increasing fecal volume.

lubricant cathartic one that acts by softening the feces and reducing friction between them and the intestinal wall.

saline cathartic one that increases fluidity of intestinal contents by retention of water by osmotic forces, and indirectly increases motor activity.

stimulant cathartic one that directly increases motor activity of the intestinal tract.

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv),

An agent used for purging the bowels.
See also: cathartic (2).

[L. purgativus, purging]

purgative

(pûr′gə-tĭv)

adj.

Tending to cleanse or purge, especially causing evacuation of the bowels.

n.

A purgative agent or medicine; a cathartic.

laxative

Herbal medicine
A herb used to purge the bowels.

Examples
Cascara (Cascara sagrada), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis), flax seed (Linum usitatissimum), liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), olive oil (Olea europaea), psyllium (Plantago psyllium), rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) and senna (Cassia acutifolia).

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv)

An agent used for purging the bowels.
See also: cathartic (2)

[L. purgativus, purging]

purgative

A strong laxative drug.

pur·ga·tive

(pŭr'gă-tiv)

An agent used for purging the bowels.

[L. purgativus, purging]