What is Cascara Sagrada Extract?

Cascara sagrada is Spanish for “sacred bark.” It describes the aged or dried bark of the Rhamnus purshiana plant that is native to the northwestern region of North America. Other regions are home to similar species of Rhamnus including R. frangula in Europe and R. davurica in Asia.

Growing more than 20 feet long, the cascara sagrada shrub has a reddish-brown bark and thin, serrated leaves. It flowers in the spring and produces toxic dark berries. The shrub’s bark must be dried and aged before use since fresh bark can make someone very sick.

Cascara sagrada is famous for its many therapeutic benefits. It’s most commonly used to relieve constipation and support colon and digestive health.

As a dietary supplement, cascara sagrada comes in powder, capsule or liquid form. It can also be taken as a very bitter tasting tonic or tea. This bitter taste actually has a practical use — it’s sometimes applied to the nails of little kids to stop their nail-biting habit.

The bark of cascara sagrada is also called chittem bark, sacred bark and California buckthorn. It’s been part of people’s medicine chest for centuries, but unfortunately there are few modern scientific studies on it. The benefits below are largely based on historical use or on research that focuses on isolated components of the extract.

Cascara Sagrada Benefits

The active compounds in cascara sagrada and its related species are a group of chemicals called anthraquinones. They cause muscular contractions (aka peristalsis) in the colon, which in turn stimulates a bowel movement. These compounds, including a notable one called emodin, are what give cascara sagrada its therapeutic properties (x). It also contains lipids, tannins and resins.

Relieves Constipation

Constipation affects at least 14 percent of all adults worldwide. This common, uncomfortable ailment can result from lifestyle choices (like a poor diet), inactivity or drug side effects. Medical conditions can also cause it (x).

Constipation relief is probably the most classic application of cascara sagrada. It’s a “stimulant laxative” and works by triggering increased muscle contractions (peristalsis) in the intestine. This helps to move stool along the bowels to cause a bowel movement.

It’s so effective, in fact, that it was commonly present in over-the-counter commercial laxatives at one time. In 2002, however, the U.S. FDA banned it from use in these products. The agency claims there isn’t enough research to deem it safe and effective. Now, cascara sagrada is only available as a supplement or prescription (x).

Taken in the evening or just before sleep, this herb works well for mild constipation. However, one should not take it regularly or for prolonged periods of time. Using any stimulating laxative for more than 1-2 weeks can cause “intestinal sluggishness.” This means your body begins to depend on a laxative to have a bowel movement. In addition, excessive use of laxatives can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances (x).

There is also another another concern with ingesting too much cascara. As already mentioned, cascara contains a compound called emodin. Some research suggests that taking high levels of emodin for prolonged periods of time can lead to liver, kidney and reproductive damage (x, x).

While very effective, reasonable and moderate use of cascara for constipation is recommended.

Hemorrhoid Help

Hemorrhoids are another painful and common condition that may subside by taking cascara sagrada — particularly if the condition results from bearing down forcefully.

Due to its well-known laxative abilities, you can move your bowels much more comfortably. Therefore, there’s minimal strain involved, which can help reduce the development of hemorrhoids (x).

May Support and Detox the Colon

The colon, also called the large intestine, is one of the most important body organs for healthy digestion. As nutrients and food move through the digestive tract, your small intestine sucks up all the useful stuff before passing the rest to the colon.

In the colon, water absorption occurs and colon bacteria break down the remaining materials and send them to the rectum for removal. If you have a slow colon or regular spells of constipation or bloating, waste and toxins are less efficiently excreted. As a laxative, cascara sagrada can help with this.

By encouraging peristalsis (contractions), it can also help strengthen the colon muscles.

Antimicrobial Properties

Besides its well-known laxative properties, cascara’s active compounds, anthraquinones, likely have antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial effects.

In vitro studies suggest that these compounds are effective against various strains of bacteria, including E. coli, Helicobacter pylori and several types of Staphylococcus aureus. It also may have antifungal activity against Candida