Cascara Sagrada: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Cascara sagrada is an extract of the bark of the American rotten tree. It has been used as a laxative for more than 100 years. It should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

Occurrence and cultivation of cascara sagrada.

Cascara sagrada is the extract of the bark of Rhamnus purshianu or Frangula purshiana. These plants correspond to a species of rot trees from the family Rhamnaceae or cruciferae. Their range is primarily the Pacific Northwest coast of the United States. Because of this association, the plants are also referred to as American Rotten Trees. All the deciduous trees fall into the order of the Rosaceae. In addition to smaller trees, individual shrubs fall into the lazy tree genus. The American species Frangula purshiana is an actual tree, reaching up to ten meters in height. Already among the Native Americans, the extract Cascara sagrada was obtained from the species Frangula purshiana. From April to August, the bark is peeled for the production of Cascara sagrada. That of the branches is more valuable than the bark of the trunk. For more than 100 years, the plants have been used as alternative remedies. Among the indigenous people, fall trees were treated as sacred trees. The Spanish missionaries and American settlers adopted the extract extraction and name from the Indians. In 1877, the extract Cascara sagrada was first marketed as a healing extract and later even used by therapists. The curative effect of sloth tree bark is now considered confirmed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Effect and application

The marketing of Cascara sagrada began in 1877, when the extract first appeared in the offer of a pharmaceutical company. This was the manufacturer Eli Lilly and Co, which launched the elixir purgans. The elixir contained cascara and other substances with a laxative effect. By increasing intestinal peristalsis, the elixir was supposed to work wonders for constipation and accompanying pain. Since the extract from the bark of the rotten tree has relatively weak efficacy, Cascara sagrada is still mostly combined with other laxatives. The uses and product forms are now diverse. In addition to the use of the bark in teas, the bark extract is offered in capsule, powder, tablet and granule form. All forms of consumption have a laxative effect. Cascara sagrada has a strong bitter taste and for this reason was used in the past to educate children. In this context, the fingertips of children were brushed with it to prevent them from biting their fingernails. In order to produce an extract from the bark of the American rotten tree, the bark material must be carefully cleaned before further processing. The preparation requires cooking, since the extract in raw form irritates the gastrointestinal tract of the user. Consumption of untreated bark may cause vomiting or severe abdominal cramps. To exclude such reactions, the bark is pickled, heated or dried for at least one year. Only after this preparatory phase is it suitable for the production of a compatible extract. In addition to anthrone, the bark of the American rotten tree mainly contains anthraol. The active ingredients oxidize with each other and form anthraquinones. The effect of the bark as a laxative is attributed to the hydroxianthracene derivatives and bitter substances it contains. In the past, the active ingredients were used against liver problems, generally poor digestion, intestinal inflammation and skin problems. In case of intestinal obstruction and during pregnancy, the cascara bark was generally not used- Also in lactation, women are still advised against taking it. The laxative substances pass into the milk and can cause diarrhea in infants.

Health significance, treatment and prevention.

Cascara sagrada extracts have had high relevance in alternative medicine for about 100 years. The extract can be used to relieve mild constipation, as well as for supportive therapy of hemorrhoid-related discomfort or fissures of the anal area. Like all other anthraquinone-based laxatives, the extract is associated with side effects. One of them is the discoloration of the intestinal mucosa, which may result mainly from uncontrolled and prolonged use.In principle, doctors advise against long-term and regular use of all laxatives. Cascara sagrada is also not suitable for long-term use. Like all laxatives, the extract can be associated with potassium deficiency when taken on a long-term basis. This lack of potassium has an unfavorable effect on the human organism. This is especially true if digitalis-containing drugs are also taken. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias should generally avoid laxatives, as potassium deficiency is associated with fatal risks for them. The additional use of drugs for water excretion, for example the consumption of diuretics, also increases the risk of potassium deficiency. Therefore, the use of the extract should always be discussed with the doctor. Potassium deficiency can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in certain contexts. In addition to potassium deficiency, long-term use of all laxatives leads to chronic depletion of the body. Vital minerals can no longer be absorbed from the intestines in sufficient quantities. In some cases, chronic diarrhea occurs, usually associated with weakness. In addition, Cascara sagrada can lead to psychological dependence if used regularly. Consequently, the measure is all-important in the use of Cascara sagrada. Self-medication is associated with high risks. However, in consultation with a physician or pharmacist, the extract can be usefully integrated into the treatment of various bowel disorders.