What is cascara used for?
Cascara was a folk medicine used by native American people and immigrants as a natural laxative. The plant itself was not definitely identified by scientists until 1805, and the bark was not commonly used as medicine 1877.
What are the benefits of cascara sagrada?
Apart from its well-known laxative abilities, cascara sagrada has been studied for its other benefits with attention shifting to a compound called emodin which may have a number of beneficial effects. In vitro studies have shown that emodin – one of the main active compounds in cascara sagrada has antibacterial and anti-fungal effects.
Is cascara a safe laxative?
Cascara is used by some people as a laxative. This product is not considered to be safe for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What are the precautions when taking this product?
Is cascara FDA approved?
Cascara is a shrub. The dried bark is used to make medicine. Cascara used to be approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) as an over-the-counter ( OTC) drug for constipation. However, over the years, concerns were raised about cascara's safety and effectiveness.
When was cascara first used?
In traditional medicine, cascara was used as a laxative by American Indians and immigrants to America. R. purshiana itself was not described officially until 1805 and was not introduced into medicine until 1877.
What are the active laxative constituents of cascara?
The active laxative constituents of cascara include at least 6% to 9% anthracene derivatives, which exist as normal O-glycosides and C-glycosides. The 4 primary glycosides or cascarosides A, B, C, and D contain both O- and C-glycosidin linkages that are chemically designated as the C-10 isomers of the 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosides of aloin and chrysophanol. A number of dianthrones are also present, including emodin, chrysophanol, and the heterodianthrones, as well as palmidin A, B, and C.
Is cascara juice a nonlaxative?
purshiana cell suspension cultures produce anthracene derivatives. Cascara juice also contains other nonlaxative compounds such as rhamnol (cinchol, cupreol, quebrachol); linoleic, myristic, and syringic acids; resins, fat, starch, and glucose; and malic and tannic acid.
Is cascara sagrada safe?
Cascara sagrada nonprescription laxative products were declared no longer safe or effective by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. Typical doses of cascara are 1 g of the bark, 2 to 6 mL as a fluid extract, or 100 to 300 mg of dried bark extract.
Is cascara safe for a patient?
Clinical studies of cascara have focused on its laxative effects, although cascara is no longer considered safe for this use. Attention has shifted to cascara's constituent emodin and its possible therapeutic applications in the treatment of various conditions, based on animal and in vitro data.
Does cascara cause potassium deficiency?
Case reports are lacking. Long-term cascara use may lead to potassium deficiency, which can potentiate the effects of cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmics, and corticosteroids. Abebe 2003, Vogel 2005 Interference with the absorption of other drugs is possible with anthranoid-containing plants, including senna and cascara. Fugh-Berman 2000, WHO 2002
Is cascara contraindicated for children?
Cascara is contraindicated in children younger than 10 years; in ileus of any origin; and in inflammatory diseases of the colon, including ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn disease.
What is cascara laxative?
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking cascara along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.
What is Cascara SAGRADA?
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin). Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA.
Is Cascara a stimulant or a laxative?
Decreasing how much medicine your body absorbs can decrease the effectiveness of your medication. Stimulant laxatives interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA. Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative . Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels.
Is cascara sagrada safe for breast feeding?
Pregnancy and breast -feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if cascara sagrada is safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Cascara sagrada is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth while breast-feeding.
Is Cascara sagrada safe for adults?
Side Effects. When taken by mouth: Cascara sagrada is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken for less than one week. Side effects include stomach discomfort and cramps. Cascara sagrada is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used for more than one week.
Does Cascara Sagrada help with constipation?
Constipation. Cascara sagrada has laxative effects and may help relieve constipation in some people . Emptying the colon before a colonoscopy. Most research shows that taking cascara sagradaalong with magnesium sulfate or milk of magnesia does not improve bowel cleansing in people who are undergoing a colonoscopy.
Can Cascara affect potassium?
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CASCARA SAGRADA. Cascara is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking cascara along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
What is the effect of cascara sagrada on the body?
Confusion. Depression. Return of constipation (rebound constipation) Excessive doses of cascara sagrada can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and the inability to urinate (acute urinary retention).
How long does it take for cascara sagrada to work?
Generally speaking, cascara sagrada will induce a bowel movement within eight to 12 hours of taking a dose. While cascara sagrada is believed by some to prevent or treat gallstones, liver problems, hemorrhoids, fissures, and even cancer, there is little to no evidence to support these claims. Benefits and Side Effects of Anthraquinones.
What drugs does Cascara Sagrada interact with?
Drug Interactions. Cascara sagrada may interact with a class of drugs called cardiac glycosides used to treat heart failure, including digoxin, digitoxin, and digitonin. It does so by depleting the body of the sodium and potassium it needs to stimulate heart contractions.
How long does cascara sagrada bark take to dry?
The processing of cascara sagrada bark can differ. It is typically removed, diced, and dried for up to one year to reduce its potency. 1 Some manufacturers will heat the bark to speed the process. The dried bark can then be powdered or boiled and distilled for herbal products.
Does cascara sagrada help with bowel movements?
Unlike these counterparts, the effect of cascara sagrada tends to be gentler, resulting in fewer loose or watery stools. 1 Cascara sagrada also works differently than demulcent laxatives like psyllium, which creates a gel-like substance that helps ease stool from the bowels.
Can cascara cause dehydration?
If taken for more than a week or two, cascara sagrada may cause severe dehydration and the rapid loss of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. This can trigger an array of potentially serious side effects, including: Severe nausea. Loss of energy. Headaches.
Is Cascara sagrada a laxative?
Cascara sagrada contains compounds called anthraquinones that have powerful laxative effects. 1 . Cascara sagrada has been listed on the U.S. Pharmacopeia since the 1890s and received initial approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an over-the-counter laxative. However, that approval was rescinded in November 2002 due ...
What is cascara used for?
Cascara is used as a laxative for constipation, as well as a treatment for gallstones, liver ailments, and cancer. Some people use it as a “bitter tonic.”. In foods and beverages, a bitterless extract of cascara is sometimes used as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, cascara is used in the processing of some sunscreens.
What is Cascara a stimulant?
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
What is cascara laxative?
Cascara is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking cascara along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.
How long is cascara safe?
Side Effects. Cascara is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for less than one week. Side effects include stomach discomfort and cramps. Cascara is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used long-term. Don't use cascara for longer than one or two weeks.
Can cascara be used as a laxative?
Warfarin ( Coumadin) Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider. Cascara can work as a laxative. In some people cascara can cause diarrhea.
Can cascara cause diarrhea?
Cascara can cross into breast milk and might cause diarrhea in a nursing infant. Children: Cascara is POSSIBLY UNSAFE in children when taken by mouth. Don't give cascara to children. They are more likely than adults to become dehydrated and also harmed by the loss of electrolytes, especially potassium.
Is cascara a shrub?
Cascara is a shrub. The dried bark is used to make medicine. Cascara used to be approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for constipation. However, over the years, concerns were raised about cascara's safety and effectiveness. The FDA gave manufacturers the chance to submit safety ...
How much cascara tea should I drink a day?
As a laxative for constipation: 20-30 mg per day of the active ingredient (hydroxyanthracene derivatives). A typical dose is 1 cup of tea , which is made by steeping 2 grams of finely chopped bark in 150 mL of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, and then straining. The cascara liquid extract is taken in a dose of 2-5 mL three times daily. The appropriate amount of cascara is the smallest dose that is needed to maintain soft stools.
Can you take cascara while pregnant?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of cascara during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use if you are pregnant. Cascara is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Cascara can cross into breast milk and might cause diarrhea in a nursing infant.
What is the difference between cascara and silverskin?
Silverskin: A group of sclerenchyma cells that coat the bean to protect it. They usually come off during roasting, where they are known as chaff. Cascara includes the outer skin and the pulp, which used to be seen as a byproduct of coffee processing. Recently, cascara farming has taken on a whole life of its own!
Is cascara a laxative?
Aside from being flavourful and delicious, cascara is jam-packed with antioxidants! Not to be confused with Cascara Sagrada, a natural laxative stemming from tree bark, coffee-plant cascara is high in phenolic compounds, which play a significant role in the prevention of many chronic diseases due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcino genic properties.
Uses & Effectiveness
Constipation. Cascara has laxative effects and may help relieve constipation in some people.
Side Effects
Cascara is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for less than one week. Side effects include stomach discomfort and cramps.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Pregnancy and breast -feeding: Not enough is known about the use of cascara during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use if you are pregnant. Cascara is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Cascara can cross into breast milk and might cause diarrhea in a nursing infant.
Interactions
Digoxin ( Lanoxin) Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Dosing
As a laxative for constipation: 20-30 mg per day of the active ingredient (hydroxyanthracene derivatives). A typical dose is 1 cup of tea, which is made by steeping 2 grams of finely chopped bark in 150 mL of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, and then straining. The cascara liquid extract is taken in a dose of 2-5 mL three times daily.
Why is cascara sagrada important?
This action helps to keep your food moving through the entire digestive system and aids in the evacuation. Cascara sagrada helps speed up the process and produce more efficient bowel movements because there is less time for the intestine to absorb the stool’s liquid.
What is the compound in cascara sagrada?
Apart from its well-known laxative abilities, cascara sagrada has been studied for its other benefits with attention shifting to a compound called emodin which may have a number of beneficial effects.
How long to boil cascara sagrada bark?
Simply add a teaspoon of cascara sagrada bark to three cups of distilled water and bring the liquid to the boil. Simmer for around 30 minutes to ensure you are getting all the medicinal benefits of the herb. Strain and allow to cool before drinking.
When was cascara sagrada first used?
It has a very long history of use as a laxative and was traditionally taken by the Native Americans as a treatment for constipation. In 1999, cascara sagrada made up over 20% of the US commercial laxative market and had an estimated of around $400 million.
How much Casgara sagrada is good for constipation?
To treat constipation, Casgara sagrada is usually taken orally in the form of a tea or liquid extract giving a dose of between 20 and 30 mg of hydroxyanthrecene derivatives. The tea is made by steeping two grams of chopped bark in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes or so.
Can Cascara sagrada be used on children?
As regards nursing mothers, anthranoid metabolites contained in the herb might get excreted in a mother’s breast milk causing harm to the child. Cascara sagrada should not be used on children under the age of 10. Long-term use of the herb may result in certain adverse side effects.
Can you take cascara sagrada as a supplement?
Despite the FDA’s ruling, you can still but the herb as a supplement. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA and do not have to achieve the standards applied to OTC medications.
Dry Cascara
When cascara is left out to dry as a form of processing, dry cascara is produced. The dry processing method is usually not used because it takes a lot of time to complete but if you’re ready to wait it out it can be an ideal option.
Wet Cascara
The coffee has to be wet for wet processing to occur. This is done by soaking the beans in water and waiting for the skins to go off by fermentation or active scrubbing.
Tea or Coffee?
There’s some argument over the appropriate term to use with cascara since it’s gotten from coffee but brewed in the same way you’ll do tea.
How To Brew
You’ll need a tea strainer, cascara and water at just below boiling point to brew.
Clinical Overview
Botany
- The official cascara sagrada is the dried bark of the typically small- to medium-sized R. purshiana wild deciduous tree found in North America (eg, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana) and as far north as Southeast British Columbia. The tree grows up to 18 m in height and has thin, elliptical to ovate-oblong, acutely pointed leaves. The greenish flowers are arranged in umbellat…
History
- In traditional medicine, cascara was used as a laxative by American Indians and immigrants to America. R. purshiana itself was not described officially until 1805 and was not introduced into medicine until 1877. The berries of the European counterpart (European buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula) were described in the London Pharmacopoeia of 1650. In 2002, the FDA issued a final …
Chemistry
- The active laxative constituents of cascara include at least 6% to 9% anthracene derivatives, which exist as normal O-glycosides and C-glycosides. The 4 primary glycosides or cascarosides A, B, C, and D contain both O- and C-glycosidin linkages that are chemically designated as the C-10 isomers of the 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosides of aloin and chrysophanol. A number of dianthro…
Uses and Pharmacology
- Laxative
On November 5, 2002, the FDA ruled that cascara sagrada nonprescription laxative products were no longer considered safe and effective.FDA 2002 Systematic reviews published in 2001 reported the use of cascara and other laxatives in randomized controlled trials demonstrating improveme…
Dosing
- On November 5, 2002, the FDA ruled that nonprescription cascara sagrada stimulant laxative products were no longer generally recognized as safe or effective.FDA 2002 Use in children younger than 10 years is contraindicated.WHO 2002 Commercial cascara preparations include crude preparations, extracts, and essential oil.Leung 1980 Typical doses of cascara are 1 g of th…
Pregnancy / Lactation
- Avoid use. Emmenagogue and abortifacient effects have been documented.Brinker 1998, Ernst 2002, Newall 1996 Anthranoid metabolites may be excreted in breast milk.WHO 2002
Interactions
- Case reports are lacking. Long-term cascara use may lead to potassium deficiency, which can potentiate the effects of cardiac glycosides, antiarrhythmics, and corticosteroids.Abebe 2003, Vogel 2005 Interference with the absorption of other drugs is possible with anthranoid-containing plants, including senna and cascara.Fugh-Berman 2000, WHO 2002
Adverse Reactions
- Extended or habitual use of cascara should be avoided because it can cause chronic diarrhea and weakness due to excessive potassium loss. Long-term use can also cause melanosis coli (melanin pigmentation of the colon mucous membranes), a benign and reversible injury of the colonic epithelial cells caused by anthraquinones. In one case report, a patient developing melan…
Toxicology
- Overdose of anthraquinone laxatives results in intestinal pain and severe diarrhea, with consequent electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Treatment is symptomatic, with special attention given to potassium and other electrolyte levels, especially in elderly patients and children.WHO 2002 No causal relationship between long-term use of cascara and colorectal can…