Cascara Sagrada

Western Bulk Herbs – Cascara Sagrada

Cascara sagrada is recommended by doctors for constipation after surgery for hemorrhoids. It also works well for chronic constipation and will improve health all around. Improves gallbladder, pancreas, and liver function. Stimulates secretions of liver, bile secretion, stomach, pancreas, and lower bowel.

Latin Name:
Rhamnus purshiana

Common Names:
Rhamnus purshiana, Bitter Bark, Buckthorn, California Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada, Chittem Bark, Dogwood Bark, Purshiana Bark, Rhamni Purshianae Cortex, Sacred Bark, Sagrada Bark, Yellow Bark, Frangula Purshiana.

Parts Used:
Bark

Properties:
Purgative

Traditional Uses:
Tablets and extracts. You can make a tea, but they are pretty harsh plus they work as a laxative.

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Not used in cooking.

Chemical Properties:
Aloe emodin Anthraglycosides, Anthraquinones, Barbaloin, Cascarosides A and B, Chrysaloin, Chysophanic acid, Emodin Fatty Acids, Frangulin factors, Glycosides Lipids, Resins, Rhamnetin Rhein, Tannins Plus, 1,8-dihydroxy-anthracene derivatives (in the aged bark), aloe-emodin, frangulin-emodin, flavonoids, and tannins.

Cautions:
Cascara Sagrada should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers. Do not use if you have chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders. Do not use if there is diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain, or appendicitis. Do not use for more than 8-10 days as loss of electrolytes can occur. Cascara Sagrada bark should be aged more than 1 year.

Folk Lore:
N/A

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.