Colon Bowel Cleanses

Cascara Sagrada has long been valued for its mild, fast-acting laxative properties. The portion of the plant used is the bark.

Appearance The Cascara Buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana, also called Bearberry Tree or Bearwood, is native to America. It occurs on the sides and bottoms of canyons from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, extending north into Canada . The Cascara Tree is usually from 15 to 20 feet in height. Small greenish flowers produced in clusters are followed by black, three-seeded berries. The bark has a somewhat aromatic odor and an extremely bitter taste.

History Cascara sagrada, Spanish for “sacred bark,� comes from the American buckthorn tree native to the western coast of North America, from California to British Columbia, and as far inland as Montana. The Spanish priests of California may have learned about cascara sagrada from the Indians. This valuable herb has been used for centuries for its natural cleansing properties. Traditional practitioners have used Cascara sagrada to encourage healthy elimination safely and naturally. The bark is harvested in the spring and summer and is aged over a period of no less than one year. The aging allows active principles in the bark to become milder as the laxative properties of the fresh bark are very strong. Long used as a laxative by Native American groups of the northwest Pacific coast, cascara sagrada bark was introduced into formal medical practice in the United States in 1877. Cascara sagrada is still used in over-the-counter laxatives available in the United States.

Warning: Do not take cascara sagrada if you are pregnant.

The use of this herbal supplement is a traditional nutritional use that is not intended to be prescribed for, or to treat any disease, and does not claim to cure any disease, including diseases involving fevers, colds, flu or invading organisms.

Caution: As with any dietary or herbal supplement, you should advise your health care practitioner of the use of this product. If you have ulcers, gallstones or are nursing, pregnant, or considering pregnancy, you should consult your health care provider prior to taking this product.