Milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) can both neutralize excess stomach acid and, if taken in slightly larger doses, act as a saline laxative. This means that the magnesium works to pull salt or a saline solution from the blood into the intestines, therefore increasing the amount of water in the intestines and causing a laxative action.
Milk of magnesia is generally considered to be one of the more gentle laxatives, as opposed to stimulant laxatives such as Dulcolax which can cause painful abdominal cramps in some people and may result in a dependency - ie, the inability to have a bowel movement without the use of a laxative. Milk of magnesia may not cause dependency, but as with any medication it is important to check this with your doctor.
Recommendations
Review by...Viqui
I have had IBS for about seven years now and I am 55 years young. I suspect it may have begun from being exposed to a parasite from impure water, but I am not positive. I was using a senna herbal laxative in pill form and having OK results, but those things all warn you that they are habit forming and could make my body dependent. I was afraid to use it more than twice a week.
I had terrible gas after flying around the world - not sure if it was the food I ate or the stress and anger of the unfairness of losing a lawsuit I should have won. Regardless, two days after arriving home I thought I was dying. Then I guessed it might be gas. I massaged my stomach, took charcoal to get rid of gas, tried fiber drinks, then after 24 hours of being in bed doubled over in pain, my husband offered to get some milk of magnesia.
I had never taken it before for the gas or stomach problems. I was willing to try anything because my husband had already offered to take me to the emergency room. Wow. Fabulous results. Where had milk of magnesia been all my life? The flavor was cherry and it tasted great, like a milkshake. I had to control myself not to take more than I was supposed to.
I will try to take it twice a week at most as I fear becoming dependent upon it. I must say, the results were better than anything I have ever tried. It's definitely the best thing for IBS I have ever, ever tried.