Cascara sagrada is a laxative herb made from the bark of the Rhamnus purshiana shrub. It is not FDA-approved and can cause side effects such as abdominal cramps and electrolyte imbalance. Long-term use has been linked to abnormal growths in the colon.
Cascara sagrada is a laxative herb that has a long history of use in Native American medicine. It is made from the bark of Rhamnus purshiana, a type of sea buckthorn shrub native to western North America, spanning parts of British Columbia and the northwestern United States. While cascara sagrada has been a popular ingredient in over-the-counter medications for over 10 years, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use in over-the-counter products in 2002 due to inadequate data on its toxicity.
The name cascara sagrada is Spanish for “sacred bark,” and the herb is also commonly referred to as chitticum bark. The bark of Rhamnus purshiana is gray or brown and speckled. The plant can grow to 50 feet (15 meters), but is usually between 16 and 33 feet (5 to 10 meters). It has glossy green leaves, small yellow-green flowers, and berries that ripen from bright red to purple or black.
Cascara sagrada must be dried and aged for at least a year before it can be used medicinally. Ingestion of fresh bark can cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea. The active ingredient in the herb is anthroquinones, which induce peristalsis, or muscle contractions, in the colon. It can be taken in capsule or liquid extract form, or the dried bark can be used to make tea. 300 mg is a standard cascara sagrada dosage and is usually taken at night to induce a bowel movement in the morning, as it takes six to 12 hours to have an effect.
If you live in an area where cascara sagrada is available, be aware that its safety has not been confirmed by the FDA and should be taken with caution. Cascara sagrada is not meant to be taken long-term and can in fact be addictive; do not take it for more than seven consecutive days. Children and pregnant women should not take cascara sagrada, and it is also dangerous for people suffering from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, severe hemorrhoids, blood vessel disease, heart disease, severe anemia, liver disease or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, abdominal hernia, appendicitis, gastrointestinal cancer, or recent colon surgery.
Some side effects of cascara sagrada include abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalance, and melanosis coli, a dark discoloration of the colon. Excessive use can cause bloody diarrhea or vomiting. If you experience such symptoms after taking cascara sagrada, discontinue use and contact your doctor. Long-term use of cascara sagrada has been linked to abnormal growths in the colon called adenomas and cancer.
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