Cascara Sagrada, Rhamnus purshiana, is a bitter, bitter, remedy, cold, drying, and bringing moisture to surfaces by being a dry remedy. Used in cases of constipation, headaches that feel as though the head will explode, hemorrhoids, indigestion, chronic rheumatism, gout, eczema, kidney stones, and more.

Best avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, cascara sagrada cannot be used long term (more than one week) or in children under the age of twelve. It is also not a good choice when there is any of the following: intestinal and bowel obstruc­tion, acute inflammatory intestinal disease (colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel), fecal impaction, nausea, vomiting, appendicitis, and abdominal pain of unknown origin. Side effects from the abuse of this herb include spasmodic gastrointestinal complaints, heart arrhythmias, nephropathies, edema, and accelerated bone deterioration. Cascara sagrada can also result in discoloration of acid urine to yellow-brown or discoloration of alkaline urine to pink-red, red-violet, or red-brown. Internal use reduces potassium.

Excerpted with permission from Materia Medica by liz Johnson.

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

(Health needs should always be considered before taking herbs, supplements, or medications. Talk to someone qualified in the use of these herbs before using as medicine. These herbs are generally regarded as safe for food use.)