Other Common Names: Cascara, chittem bark, California buckthorn, sacred bark.
Cascara sagrada is a deciduous tree, native to the North American Pacific Coast. The part used for medicinal purposes is the bark. It is allowed to dry and age for one year before use, since the constituent monoanthrones and there O-glycosides in fresh dried bark cause gastrointestinal irritation. These emetic principals are oxidized to nonemetic anthroquinones or anthrone C-glycosides on storage or heat treatment. 1
Cascara contains 6 to 10% of a mixture of hydroxyanthracene derivatives, of which 60 to 70% are cascarosides and 10 to 20% are a mixture of anthraquinone derivatives. 1
1,8-dihydroxyanthracene derivatives have a laxative effect. Cascara influences the motility of the colon and stimulates propulsive contractions, resulting in an accelerated intestinal passage.
Cascarosides are more active than their hydrolyzed products.
Cascara is generally considered to be a safe drug. However, long-term use may disturb electrolyte balance, likely resulting in potassium deficiency.
Because of a lack of sufficient toxicological information, pregnant and lactating women and children under 12 years of age should avoid taking cascara.
Persons with a gastrointestinal disorder (e.g. inflammatory disease, colitis) should first consult with a physician before taking cascara.
Carcinogenicity: Anthraquinone glycosides of senna and cascara were investigated for their effects on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the rat colon mucosa. When rats were exposed to senna and cascara, 250 – 500 times higher than the usual therapeutic dosages, neither herb induced ACF nor modified the incidence of ACF induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a powerful inducer. However, senna and cascara showed a modest but significant increase in the crypt multiplicity in DMH-treated rats. 1
To assess the effects of laxatives on the development of malignant tumors, bisacodyl and cascara were given to azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats for 113 weeks. Bisacodyl significantly increased the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) while cascara did not modify the number of AOM-induced ACF and tumors. This study suggests the absence of any promoting and/or initiating activity of cascara. 2
Cascara may reduce intestinal absorption of many drugs, due to an increased rate of intestinal transit. 2
Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) used to treat hypertension, may potentiate potassium deficiency when used concomitantly with the herb. It is best to avoid this medication with the herb.
Corticoadrenal steroids may increase potassium deficiency when used together with the herb.
Information on the relationship between substances and disease is provided for general information, in order to convey a balanced review of the scientific literature. In many cases the relationship between a substance and a disease is tentative and additional research is needed to confirm such a relationship.
The dietary supplement information contained on this site has been compiled from published sources thought to be reliable, but it cannot be guaranteed. Efforts have been made to assure this information is accurate and current. However, some of this information may be purported or outdated due to ongoing research or discoveries. The authors, editors and publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences from applications of the information in this site and make no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the contents herein.
Print this page
Contact an Expert
