Researchers reviewed 23 existing studies to see if adding one of six specific Chinese herbal medicines to standard Western treatments could help elderly people with functional constipation. The studies involved a total of 2,065 older patients. The analysis suggested that combining these herbal medicines with Western drugs might improve overall treatment response better than using Western drugs alone. Two combinations—Congrong Tongbian Oral Liquid and Liuwei Anxiao Capsule—appeared more likely to be top options in a statistical ranking.
It is very important to understand the limitations of this research. The quality of the evidence from the reviewed studies was rated as low or very low. Many of the original studies had design problems that could have made the treatments seem more effective than they really are. The reporting of side effects was inconsistent and often poorly described, making it hard to know the true safety profile.
While the findings are interesting, they are not strong enough to change medical practice. The statistical rankings of the different herbal medicines should be seen as exploratory, not as proof that one is better than another. No strong recommendations can be made for using any specific Chinese herbal medicine for this condition based on this review alone.
Readers should take away that this is early, low-certainty evidence. More high-quality research is needed to confirm if these combinations are truly effective and safe for elderly patients with constipation. Anyone considering these treatments should discuss the potential benefits and unknown risks with their doctor.