Is Cascara Sagrada Bark Good For Cleaning Blood
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Cascara Sagrada for Constipation Relief & Other Uses (+ Side Effects)
August 12, 2022

Cascara sagrada was once available every bit an over-the-counter herbal laxative, simply due to a lack of supportive research and subsequent withdrawal of FDA approval, it can at present be establish equally a dietary supplement, but non as a drug. If it is taken orally for laxative purposes, it's ordinarily recommended for no longer than a week of apply and with caution.
So what does cascara do? Other than it's long history of use every bit a laxative for constipation, some people believe it can be used as a treatment for liver bug, gallstones, and cancer — but the evidence to date for these uses is lacking. (one)
In this article, I want to talk over possible cascara sagrada benefits forth with known cascara sagrada dangers.
What Is Cascara Sagrada?
Cascara, as well known as cascara sagrada, bitter bark, cascara buckthorn, cascararinde and chittem bawl, is a modest tree or shrub that can be establish growing North American locations including California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, as well every bit Southeast British Columbia.
The cascara tree (Rhamnus purshiana)is considered to be an endangered species at this time. Information technology can abound to be around 32 feet tall and has grayish-blackness bawl. Cascara sagrada, which is used medicinally, is the stale bawl of the cascara tree which is fabricated available in solid and liquid forms.
Cascara sagrada bark contains chemicals called anthraquinones, which provide its color and likewise its laxative furnishings. (two) Cascara sagrada weight loss claims are easily plant around the cyberspace, but this is neither a recommended nor safe utilise of the herb.
In Castilian, cascara sagrada means "sacred bark." This name may take come up from Spanish priests who named the tree for its similarity to forest used for the ark of the covenant and/or for its impressive medicinal abilities. (iii)
Every bit a traditional medicine, cascara was used by Native Americans as an herbal laxative. In 1805, scientists formally identified cascara sagrada, but its bark wasn't ofttimes used for medicinal purposes until around 1877. (4)
In more recent years, cascara sagrada was approved by the FDA as an ingredient in commercial laxatives, but reservations began to be raised well-nigh the effectiveness and prophylactic of this herbal remedy for constipation. Manufacturers of cascara sagrada drugs were given the opportunity to provide safety and effectiveness information to the FDA to refute the concerns, but some sources say the companies didn't believe it was worth the cost of conducting studies, so they did not provide any helpful information.
Consequently, makers of OTC laxatives with cascara were told by the the FDA to either remove or reformulate their cascara products past Nov five, 2002. Fast forward to present day and cascara is now only bachelor equally an herbal supplement, but not as a drug.
Other than beingness an herbal supplement, cascara is also currently employed in the processing of some sunscreens. It'southward also used in a not-bitter excerpt form for flavoring in food and beverages.

Benefits
1. Constipation
Constipation is said to event at least 14 percent of the adult earth population. This common health concern tin be the result of lifestyle choice (such as poor diet) or medication side effects, or it can be related to a medical condition. (5)
Constipation relief is cascara sagrada'southward all-time known possible benefit. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "Cascara is generally condom and well tolerated, simply can cause agin events including clinically credible liver injury when used in high doses for longer than recommended periods … Liver injury from long term cascara utilise is rare and most cases have been self-limited and apace reversible upon stopping the laxative. However, severe cases with acute liver failure and evolution of ascites and portal hypertension have been described." (6)
This is exactly why cascara sagrada supplements are typically only considered safe for a one calendar week maximum of usage and recommended dosages should not exist exceeded.
Cascara is considered a botanical stimulant laxative and as such it works past causing increased peristalsis (muscle contractions) in the intestines, which helps to move stool through the bowels to produce a bowel motility. Cascara's power to act equally a laxative is attributed in scientific research to its content of anthraquinone glycosides. Cascara bark also contains resins, tannins and lipids. While senna is said to exist a popular pick for constipation relief in the Middle East, cascara is most popular in N America. (7)
2. Cancer
Several studies take been performed to investigate cascara'due south possible anticancer ability. A 2002 written report published in Life Sciences researched the effects of aloe-emodin, a component of cascara, on two homo liver cancer prison cell lines, Hep G2 and Hep 3B. The researchers constitute that aloe-emodin inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis (programmed cell decease) in both cell lines, concluding that aloe-emodin "may be useful in liver cancer prevention." (eight)
In terms of its possible anticancer ability, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center points out, "Laboratory studies show that a compound found in cascara, aloe-emodin, has anticancer activity, just laboratory results are frequently not transferable to the human body. Clinical trials have not yet been conducted." (9) So for right now, the possibility for cascara to help fight cancer exists, simply has non been confirmed by clinical human studies.
3. Liver Health and Gallstones
In improver to cancer, other possible uses for cascara are often said to include the handling of gallstones and liver disease, merely there are currently limited clinical studies to support these uses.
One animal study published in 2022 did detect that cascara'due south emodin did appear to assistance with liver damage. Rat subjects with histological liver damage due to acetaminophen administration experienced some degree of liver protection afterwards emodin therapy in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, thirty mg/kg and 40 mg/kg doses of emodin effectively reversed toxic liver events caused by the acetaminophen. (10)
Some traditional medicine practitioners are known to utilize cascara sagrada and garlic/castile enemas along witholive oil and lemon juice treatment as part of a gall bladder flush to promote the passage of gallstones. (eleven)
Dosage
Over-the-counter laxatives containing cascara sagrada are no longer bachelor in the United States, simply it'southward not hard to find an herbal supplement of cascara sagrada at health stores and online in capsule or liquid extract form. You lot can besides purchase stale cascara bawl or cascara sagrada bawl powder in stores or online.
Dosages that have been studied in scientific research for constipation include: (12)
- One cup of cascara sagrada tea per twenty-four hours created past steeping two grams of finely chopped bark in nigh ii-thirds of a loving cup of of humid water for five to 10 minutes and straining this mixture earlier drinking.
- For constipation: twenty to 30 milligrams of the active ingredient (hydroxyanthracene derivatives) per twenty-four hours.
- Two to v milliliters of cascara liquid excerpt is taken three times per twenty-four hours.
How long does information technology take cascara to work? As with most herbal laxatives, information technology can vary from person to person, but if frequently takes six to 12 hours. When used equally a laxative, the appropriate dose of cascara sagrada is typically considered to be the smallest amount required to maintain soft stools.
Risks, Side Furnishings and Interactions
Cascara is believed to perhaps exist condom for the majority of adults when it'southward taken by mouth for less than seven days. What are the side furnishings of cascara sagrada? Mutual cascara sagrada side furnishings include breadbasket upset and cramps.
Long-term employ (longer than i or 2 weeks) of cascara is considered unsafe. The possible serious side effects of long-term use include dehydration, muscle weakness, heart problems, and low levels of electrolytes in the claret. Cascara sagrada not recommended for use in children, who are even more likely to become dehydrated and experience electrolyte imbalance. (thirteen)
Cascara should not be taken by anyone with gastrointestinal disorders such as intestinal blockage intestinal obstacle, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, appendicitis, tummy ulcers, or unexplained stomach pain.
Medications that are known to interact with cascara sagrada include stimulant laxatives, blood thinners, diuretics, corticosteroids, digoxin (Lanoxin), and any oral drugs. Cascara should too not be taken with horsetail, licorice, herbs that contain cardiac-glycosides, or herbs and supplements that contain chromium. (14)
Check with your doctor earlier using cascara sagrada if you lot have any wellness atmospheric condition or are currently taking medication.
Final Thoughts
- Cascara sagrada was previously found in OTC laxative drugs and was approved by the FDA up until 2002 when the FDA ended its approval for use and classification as a drug.
- Today, cascara can be found in various dietary supplement forms including capsule, liquid extract, and powder.
- The main traditional and current use of cascara herb is equally a laxative for constipation relief.
- Cascara sagrada should be taken for constipation in the smallest possible dose and should not be taken for longer than i week.
- Laboratory studies show some promise for cascara's utilise in cancer and liver disease, but human studies are needed. A component of cascara, aloe-emodin, is the chief focus of research.
- Serious dangers of long-term cascara sagrada utilise include dehydration, muscle weakness, heart issues, and electrolyte imbalance.
- This herb should never exist taken by children, significant/nursing women, or anyone with gastrointestinal disorders.
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Source: https://draxe.com/nutrition/cascara-sagrada/
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