Botanical name: Frangula purshiana
Other name: cascara, cascara buckthorn, cascara sagrada, bearberry, and in the Chinook Jargon
Cascara sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is a shrub whose dried bark was once FDA approved as an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative specifically for treating constipation. Presently, it is commonly incorporated into supplements. Cascara sagrada contains active chemicals that induce bowel stimulation, resulting in a laxative effect.
Medicinal Uses:
- Severe nausea
- Loss of energy
- Headaches
- Muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Skipped heartbeats (palpitations)
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet (neuropathy)
- Reduced urine output
- Confusion
- Return of constipation (rebound constipation)
