The Herb Hound: CASCARA SAGRADA

CASCARA SAGRADA - Rhamnus Purshiana, Rhamnus Frangula, Rhamnus Californica, Rhamnus Alnifolia.

Also known as: Persian bark, bearberry, sacred bark, California buckthorn, chittem bark.

Parts used: aged bark.

Systems: spleen, stomach, colon, liver, lungs.

Properties: purgative (emetic), bitter tonic, alterative, laxative, hepatic, stomachic, nervine, peristaltic, febrifuge, antibilious, antidiabetic, antifungal, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory.

Cascara Sagrada is a type of tree/shrub native to the western region of North America (specifically the Pacific Northwest) and can be found from British Columbia to Montana and south to central California. It also is cultivated in parts of Africa and South America now as well. It has finely serrated leaves that can get up to five inches in length and has a reddish-brown bark and red berries that turn purple or black when ripe. Each berry has three seeds in it. It can get up to 20 feet tall and loves moist, acidic soil; therefore, it is mainly found in or around forest edges and shaded clearings. The bark is what is harvested for medicinal use and must be aged a year or more in order to use.

Cascara Sagrada, like so many, is an herb of controversy. It was used by Native Americans for hundreds of years as a laxative and an emetic. The bark was collected in both spring and summer and then dried for later use. The bark was either scraped in an upwards motion (if patient needed to vomit) or in a downward motion (for a laxative). The berries or fresh bark were not ingested as they have severe purgative effects and could cause harm to those ingesting them. The Spanish referred to it as 'sacred bark' after seeing how effective it was for a number of things (again due to Native American influence). European settlers also adopted the natives' use of the herb but it wasn't until 1877 when Eli Lily introduced it in a product called 'Elixir Purgans' that it was formally recognized as a medicine; it was later added to the U.S. Pharmacopocia where it remains today. It was even approved for use by the FDA, but they have since removed it from the 'safe' list. (The FDA notified manufacturers prior to removal to submit studies that showed its safety and effectiveness but the cost of conducting those studies was such that no companies submitted information. As such it was removed from all OTC products/drugs and is only sold as a 'dietary supplement' today.

Cascara Sagrada is rich in anthraquinones - namely frangulin, chysophanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, iso-emodin, rhein and aloins. Anthraquinones are commonly used for constipation and have strong antibacterial properties, especially against gram positive and gram negative pathogens in the intestinal tract. The hydroxyanthraquinones have been used for leukemia and to suppress the immune system during skin grafting procedures. Cascara also has been a chelating agent to prevent stone formation, to expel worms in some of the populations in Africa, and as a remedy for liver diseases by various cultures.
While it is best known for its use as a laxative, it also has been proven effective for gallstones (promotes bile flow and digestive juices), weight loss (as a tea), insomnia (soothes the nerves), aging (helps get rid of blemishes and wrinkles), hair problems (conditioning, strengthening, and prevents dry, flaky scalp), cancer (high in antioxidants and especially effective for lung and stomach cancer, and protects against chemotherapy damage), dehydration (helps the skin stay hydrated and fresh), high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, nervous disorders, liver issues, congestion, lynphatic problems, etc. It has also been proven effective against E. coli, candida, several strains of staph, and H. pylori.

Cascara Sagrada has a significant amount of nutrients as well offering calcium, chromium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon, tin, zinc, and the vitamins beta carotene, C, B3, B1, inositol, and PABA.

Cascara Sagrada is one of those plants that doesn't play well with pharmaceuticals. If you take digitoxin, water pills, corticosteroids, laxatives, anti-inflammatories, and/or blood thinners, then you shouldn't use this herb. High doses of cascara can cause diarrhea, and long term use can turn one's urine a brownish yellow (indicating a loss of potassium). Pregnant and/or nursing women shouldn't use it. WebMD also states that those with kidney and/or liver conditions, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, anemia, hernias, heart disease, appendicitis, colon issues, cancer, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, and congestive heart failure should avoid taking cascara sagrada.

The Herb Hound

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

CASCARA SAGRADA

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