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Recently I have read suggested recipes for snacks using senna, but one given
to me by our doctor is, I think, the best.  I will put the recipe at the end
of this, but I will say that it costs a bit for the ingredients and takes two
to three hours to make (if you have an electric grinder), but the recipe
makes about 70 balls which lasts over two months at one ball a day.

In addition to these senna balls, my husband, who had had a blockage
necessitating an emergency room visit, now takes five Docusate Sodium stool
softener capsules a day (purchased from the AARP Pharmacy are a LOT LESS
EXPENSIVE than Colace), and drinks one or two tall glasses of slightly
diluted fruit juice into which is mixed a rounded tablespoon of psyllium
powder (again less expensive than Metamucil or Citracel).  This regimen is a
combination of advice from his gastroenterologist and internist.  It is
currently doing the job!

Now for the senna ball recipe:  2 lbs. raisins, 1-1/2 lbs. pitted prunes, 1/2
lb. dates, and one ounce of Senna leaves (which are available from health
food stores--not from our local drug stores unfortunately).  Grind all the
dried fruit together with the Senna leaves, adding the leaves alternately
with the fruit to avoid binding up the grinder with the crushed leaves.  Mix
the ground fruit well.  Using a tablespoon or 2-tablespoon scoop, roll fruit
linto balls.  Roll the balls in graham cracker crumbs.  The mixture is sticky
to work with until rolled in the crumbs.

We keep some in a container in the refrigerator and freeze the rest until
needed.   They are very tasty, and my husband has one every night before he
goes to bed.

Even with all this, my husband's movements are VERY HARD AND LARGE, but at
least they are moving!

From a wife who takes good care of her husband