Cascara Sagrada Benefits

LATIN AND BOTANTICAL NAMES:

Frangula purshiana, Rhamnus purshiana

COMMON AND OTHER NAMES

Sacred Bark, Cascara Buckthorn, California Buckthorn, Bitter Bark, Chittem Bark, Dogwood Bark, Purshiana Bark, Sagrada Bark and Yellow Bark

GENERAL DESCRITPION AND INFORMATION

Cascara sagrada is a large deciduous shrub or a small tree. It has reddish-gray bark and deeply veined leaves. Cascara has small, greenish flowers that are followed by red fruit(which are poisonous) that turn black as they ripen, but it is the bark that is used medicinally. The fresh bark of the plant is removed and cut into small pieces, and dried for one year before using. Fresh bark is not used medicinally because it has an emetic or vomit-inducing property.

Dried and aged bark is a mild an effective treatment for chronic constipation and is usefulas a mild laxative for elderly people or for those with fragile health. The bark isrich in hormone-like oils that promote contractions in the intestinal canal and is consideredexcellent for cleansing and detoxifying programs. It can be used as a colon cleanser and foreliminating parasitic infestation.

Other Cascara Sagrada Benefits:

The chemical emodin, found in this herb has been found in the laboratory to greatlyenhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapies. There is also preliminary researchthat shows that Cascara Sagrada might be useful as an antiviral that could be effective against the herpes simplex virus II and vaccinia virus.

This herb is native to the Pacific Northwest in North America. It is found in moist soilsin evergreen forest and is commercially cultivated on plantations in the United States, Canada,and Kenya.

The Indians of Northern California introduced Cascara Sagrada, which means “sacred bark,”to 16th century Spanish explorers. Native American groups used Cascara Sagrada as a laxative for hundreds of years; however, it was not introduced into formal medical practice in the United States until 1877. Cascara Sagrada has been an approved treatment for constipation in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia since 1890.

Cascara Sagrada Benefits For Ailments

Take internally for:

* chronic constipation

* colitis

* stomach upsets

* hemorrhoids

* liver problems

* jaundice

* sluggish gallbladder

* general parasites

Other cascara sagrada benefits include homeopathy for rheumatism and as a digestive aid.

PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE

This herb is available as capsules, extracts (tincture), and as dried bark that is often sold as rolls or “quills” like cinnamon sticks. It is also sold as a powder for infusions, decoction, and as a cold maceration or elixir.

Follow the instructions on the product label or of your Natural Health Physician.

Part Used: Dried Bark

Collection: The bark is harvested in spring and early summer. The bark is allowed to cure for a few years. The bark is now artificially aged by drying it at 100 degrees Celsius for an hour to achieve the same effect as 12 months of storage.

Constituents: Tannins, volatile oil, anthraquinones, resins, emodin Actions: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hepatic, bitter tonic, laxative

Combinations: Cascara Sagrada can be combined with aromatics and carminatives, such as Licorice.

SAFETY AND INTERACTION INFORMATION

* Not to be used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

* Not to be administered to children under the age of 12.

* People with Crohn’s Disease should not use Cascara Sagrada.

* Long-term use or abuse may result in weakened bowel function and may cause a loss of electrolytes (especially the mineral potassium). * Taking Cascara Sagrada for more than 1 to 2 weeks may experience symptoms such as lethargy, muscle cramps, headaches, paresthesias, tetany, peripheral edema, polyuria, breathlessness, and hypertension known as hypokalemia.

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