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Cascara Sagrada (sacred bark)
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Family |
Rhamnaceae |
Genus and specie |
Rhamnus purshianus |
Cascara, sacred bark, and chittem bark.
Cascara sagrada is a 20-foot tree with reddish brown bark and thin serrated leaves. Umbels of small flowers appear in late spring, followed by poisonous black berries.
The dried bark is used for its medicinal properties. Fresh bark tends to cause nausea and griping.
Cascara sagrada bark is a bitter, astringent, cooling herb that is used as a tonic for the liver and the digestive system and acts as a laxative.
It contains hydroxyanthraquinone glycosides made up principally of O-glycosides of aloeemodin, chrysophanol and emodin or C-glycosides (cascarosides A, B, C and D as well as aloin A and B).
Part of the glycosides are degraded in the colon to form anthrones by enzyme activity. This forms the stimulant laxative compound which results in faster bowel movements and less liquid absorption in the colon.
The use of cascara is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation as well as in cases of intestinal obstruction.
If taken in excess cascara sagrada causes diarrhea and vomiting. Stimulant laxatives should not be used for long periods, and should be contained to one week maximum, and only be used after a change of diet (with higher bulk contents) was found to be ineffective.
None.
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