Cascara

Other Names: Aulne Noir, Bitter Bark, Bois Noir, Bois à Poudre, Borzène, Bourgène, Buckthorn, California Buckthorn, Cáscara, Cascara Sagrada, Chittem Bark, Dogwood Bark, Écorce Sacrée, Frangula purshiana, Nerprun, Pastel Bourd, Purshiana Bark, Rhamni Purshianae Cortex, Rhamnus purshiana, Rhubarbe des Paysans, Sacred Bark, Sagrada Bark, Yellow Bark.
Cascara is a shrub. The dried bark is used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Cascara

• Cascara is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when used for only one or two weeks. Side effects include stomach discomfort and cramps.
• Don’t use cascara for longer than two weeks. Long-term use can cause more serious side effects including dehydration; low levels of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other “electrolytes” in the blood; heart problems; muscle weakness; and others.
• 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.
• 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 during breast-feeding. Cascara can cross into breast milk and might cause diarrhea in a nursing infant.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, stomach ulcers, or unexplained stomach pain: People with any of these conditions should not use cascara.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with CASCARA

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
• Stimulant laxatives interacts with CASCARA
• Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with CASCARA
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CASCARA
• Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CASCARA

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.

Benefits and uses of Cascara are

• as a laxative for constipation
• gallstones
• liver ailments
• cancer
• as a “bitter tonic.”