Cascara segrada means "sacred bark" in Spanish. The plant, whose Latin name is "Rhamnus purshiana," grows in Europe, Western Asia and the mountainous regions of North America from Idaho to the Pacific coast. The plant has both poisonous and medicinal qualities. One prepares it by scraping, drying and aging the bark.
Historical and Modern Uses in Medicine
People have used cascara sagrada for centuries, primarily to relieve constipation. Native American peoples used it to relieve the condition and probably passed the knowledge down to Spanish and Mexican priests who arrived in the Americas in the 1800s. It is still used in herbal medicine for the same purpose, as well as to cleanse the bowels. In modern herbal medicine, it is considered a stimulant laxative and has the potential for abuse.
How It Works in Medicine
No one is entirely sure how cascara sagrada relieves constipation and cleanses the bowels. Many people, such as experts at Drugs.com, believe the herb may irritate the bowel tissue and draw fluid into the intestines. By drawing this fluid in, it produces a bowel movement.
Medicinal Preparation
There is some debate over the proper preparation of cascara sagrada for medicinal use. Some experts, like those at Healthline, believe the bark was scraped from the tree, aged and then dried for one year. Other experts, like David L. Hoffman at Healthy.net, believe it is prepared by scraping the bark in the spring or summer, drying it and then aging it for a few years. It is available today in capsule, tea or tincture form.
Those Who Should Not Use Cascara Sagrada
According to Drugs.com, those who are allergic to any ingredient in cascara sagrada preparations should not use it, nor should those with appendicitis, rectal bleeding, a history of stomach or intestinal problems (such as blockage, inflammation, Crohn's disease, ulcers, severe constipation or bleeding) or those who have recently had abdominal surgery.
Special Considerations
Cascara sagrada can interfere with certain health conditions and interact with other medications and herbs, according to Drugs.com, and you should consult a health practitioner before using it medicinally. According to the site, certain people may be particularly vulnerable to ill effects from the herb, including those who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding; have stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or frequent diarrhea; or have allergies to medicines, foods or anything else. Those with heart problems, or those taking any medicine (prescription, nonprescription or herbal), or dietary supplements should also consult a practitioner before using cascara sagrada medicinally.
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