Sloth bark is used as a laxative for constipation (constipation). Experience has further shown that the bark is also well suited for diseases and situations where easy defecation with soft stool is required. These may include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or undergone surgical procedures on the rectum or anus.
In combination preparations, sloth bark is often included along with antispasmodic plants and bulking drugs.
Alder buckthorn in folk medicine and homeopathy
Folk medicine also uses sloth tree bark for diseases of the gall bladder and liver, as well as for the treatment of rheumatism, pallor and hemorrhoids.
In homeopathy, the fresh bark of the stems and branches is used for digestive weaknesses with a tendency to diarrhea.
Ingredients of sloth tree
The ingredients are present in the fresh bark as anthrone or dianthrone glycosides. Long storage or artificial aging by heat treatment transforms them into the oxidized anthraquinone glycosides, mainly to glucofrangulin A and B, and frangulin A and B. To achieve a therapeutic effect, the bark should consist of at least 6% hydroxyanthracene derivatives, calculated as glucofrangulin A.
Sloth tree: typical indications
Indications for which black alder is typically used include:
- Constipation
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
