Cascara Sagrada

Rhamnus Purshiana

Can a constipated person use cascara sagrada on a long term basis? Some say yes and some say no.

"Because of the strength of its action and possible side effects, cascara should not be used without medical supervision."

"Never take more cascara than prescribed, nor in combination with other laxative products for more than eight to ten consecutive days."

"Prolonged use can lead to laxative dependence, abdominal pains and an electrolyte imbalance with low blood potassium levels." - Nature's Medicines, Reader's Digest.

Now let's move to a representative who has the opposite opinion:

"Though being a potent purgative in the therapeutic doses it is quite well tolerated, and does not produce cramps or colitis. It can be used for long periods of time, unlike chemical laxatives." - Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, George D. Pamplona-Roger.

Hmm... this is the same disagreement with a related plant, alder buckthorn,which purgative effect is not as intense as cascara.

The "therapeutic doses" mentioned by the Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants are 0.2-0.3 gr twice daily for bark powder and 3g per cup of water thrice daily for infusion.

I am still thinking of the cow that died from eating too much alder buckthorn. And Cascara is more powerful than buckthorn.

As a taller relative of alder buckthorn native to western North America, the bark of cascara is appreciated by native American Indians as a natural laxative. Judging from the way a Chinook jargon calls it "shit come" ( ha ha ha ha ), it must have been very helpful not only to the Indians, but also to Spanish colonists and other immigrants to the New World.

Since 1877, cascara was accepted in the US medicine practice and gradually made its way to over-the-counter products until the US Food and Drug Administration banned it as an OTC drug in 2002.

Return from Cascara Sagrada to Homepage