An herb derived from the aged bark of Rhamnus purshiana. Native American Indians commonly used Cascara Sagrada to treat constipation and upset stomachs. Tonic, cathartic; increases sectrections of the liver, stomach, pancreas and bowels; toning laxative used for chronic constipation, gout and liver problems. •
Herbalists recommend Cascara Sagrada as a tonic for the digestive system, and to stimulate the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and stomach. Cascara Sagrada is considered to be useful in the treatment of jaundice, hemorrhoids and colic.
Cascara sagrada is a deciduous of the American Northwest, ranging from northern California to the Alaska panhandle in moist forests below 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It is also found in the Rockies of Idaho and Montana. The herb is harvested in the form of quills and pieces of bark, allowed to age at least a year before use in laxative preparations.Cascara sagrada is never used fresh.
In Studies: Researchers isolated several anthraquinone glycosides as the active principles in cascara. Glycosides are hydrolyzed by bacteria in the colon, resulting in its laxative activity. Free anthraquinone and hydroxyanthracene derivative (HAD) are the main active glycosides responsible for the laxative effects of Cascara Sagrada. These substances cause an increased peristalsis locally in the large intestine. HAD helps by circulating in the bloodstream and stimulating a nerve center to trigger a laxative effect.
History: First used by the Native Americans in the northwest Pacific coast area. They called it "The Great Herb", the Spanish priests in California called it "sacred bark". The Native Americans have been using it as a mild laxative. In 1890 the American Rhamnus purshiana replaced the European Rhamnus catharticus as an effective laxative.
Technicals: The aged dried Bark contains: Anthraquinone glycosides (including 1,8-dihydroxy-anthracene, aloe-emodin, frangulin-emodin, flavonoids, tannins, chrysophanic acid, cascarosides A,B,C, and D), volatile oils (rhamnol). The 1,8-dihydroxy-anthracenes in cascara sagrada act on the nerves in the intestinal tract, numbing the nerves that hold back stool and stimulating the nerves that propel stool downward.
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