Cascara Sagrada

Species Name: rhamnus purshiana.

Other Names by which Cascara Sagrada is Known: Bearberry, Bearwood, California buckthorn, Chittem bark, Christ's thorn, Holy bark, Persian bark, Sacred bark, and Shittimwood.

What is Cascara Sagrada? Cascara sagrada is a small tree that grows from fifteen to twenty feet high. It has stems covered with reddish-brown bark. 

Short-stemmed clusters of small, greenish-white flowers grow from the upper leaf axils, and eventually produce black, pea-sized drupes that are poisonous.

Home Remedies using Cascara Sagrada:

Benefits of Cascara Sagrada:

Cascara sagrada is perhaps the most common laxative used in both herbal medicine and orthodox pharmacy. It is technically classified as a stimulant laxative, since in induces peristalsis, which is a type of contraction or spasmodic action.

The active constituents of cascara are the anthraquinones. They are inactive in the gastrointestinal tract until they reach the colon. Once there, they produce a stool within about six to eight hours and cause vigorous peristalsis.

Cascara does not lose efficacy with repeated use. For the most part, cascara is nonaddictive, and only really heavy abuse, which is rare, produces "cathartic colon." Normally, its main side-effect is cramping. It is often used to help when laxatives have been over used, and are no longer effective.

In smaller amounts, Cascara Sagrada has proven effective in the treatment of liver disorders and gallstones. The anthraquinones have potent antibacterial properties; they have been used against leukemia and as immunosuppressant during skin graft operations. Cascara constituents have also aided in the prevention of kidney stones.

Uses of Cascara Sagrada:

It can aid in constipation, treatment of liver disorders, gallstones and kidney stones.

The part of the Cascara Sagrada that is useful is the bark, it must be collected at least a year before use, and dried.

Side Effects of Cascara Sagrada:

Due to its cathartic activity, cascara sagrada may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of vitamin K from the gut. It may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines.

Because cascara sagrada decreases the time food stays in your intestines, it can inhibit the absorption of digitalis glycosides, and decrease their cardiac action. Cathartic-induced hypokalemia, however, increases the toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis, as well as increasing muscle relaxants.

In addition to the specific interactions listed, the cathartic action of cascara sagrada tends to hasten the passage of all oral medications, thereby inhibiting the effectiveness. Laxatives induce increased speed of intestinal emptying, which may result in decreased absorption of vitamin K and/or anticoagulants.