What is Cascara Sagrada Bark?

Cascara sagrada bark has been used in native American and folk medicine as a laxative for centuries. It was not marketed as a medicine in the United States until 1877 when it was studied by Dr. J. H. Bundy. Cascara sagrada is native to the Pacific northwestern United States.

Identification

• Cascara sagrada is a small tree found in the Pacific Northwest. It grows up to 20 feet tall, has leaves 3-5 inches long and clusters of small, white flowers. It also bears inedible, pea-sized black fruit. The bark of cascara sagrada is brownish-gray and has a bitter taste.

Uses

• Cascara sagrada bark is a stimulant laxative used to relieve constipation and indigestion. Some individuals use cascara sagrada for weight loss and body detoxification. In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined that cascara sagrada is unsafe for internal consumption. (See Resources).

Ingredients and Mechanism

• The bark of cascara sagrada contains dihydroxyanthraquinones derived from aloe-emodin aglycon (cascarosides). It also contains linoleic acid, lips, tannin, syringic acid, myristic acid and resin. The cascarosides produce a laxative effect by stimulating the large intenstine, facilitating bowel passage.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Several side effects are associated with use of cascara sagrada bark, including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, electrolyte imbalance and hepatitis. Cascara sagrada bark should not be used by children, pregnant or lactating women and patients with diseases of the digestive system. Cascara sagrada bark may negatively interact with diuretic drugs and digoxin (cardiac drug).

Scientific Studies

• A 2007 report entitled, "Botanical Dietary Supplements Gone Bad," by Birgit Dietz and Judy L. Bolton of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, indicates cascara sagrada bark has "...potential genotoxic effects." A 1999 abstract of a case report by Abdul Nadir M.D., Dorothy Reddy and David H. Van Thiel M.D., FACG, indicates, "...cascara sagrada has been associated with the development of cholestatic hepatitis, complicated by portal hypertension." (See Resources).

Other Names

• There are several other names for cascara sagrada, including Rhamnus purshianus, California buckthorn and sacred bark.