Frangula purshiana is
a large shrub native to northwestern North America with a long history
of use by indigenous tribes for its beneficial properties. Following
standard practice, our cascara sagrada bark is aged for a year after
harvesting. The bark is occasionally used for its mild laxative
properties. The bitter bark can be made into an extract or drunk
as cascara sagrada tea.
Cascara sagrada,
which translates as "sacred bark", is a deciduous shrub of the American
Northwest, ranging from northern California to the Alaska panhandle in
moist forests below 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It is also found in the
Rockies of Idaho and Montana. The herb is harvested in the form of
quills and pieces of bark, allowed to age at least a year before use in
laxative preparations. Cascara sagrada is never to be used fresh and
must be aged for at least a year to break down its anthrone chemicals.
The dried cascara bark offered by Mountain Rose Herbs is aged. If the
bark is not aged it is a purgative and will cause intense intestinal
spasms and vomiting. The herb can be artificially aged by heating but
some useful constituents may be lost. In recent times, it has been used
as an ingredient in sunscreen products, as well as a flavoring agent in
foods such as candy, frozen dairy desserts, and baked goods.
Cascara sagrada belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and is also referred to as bearberry, chittem bark, and sacred bark.
American folk lore
tells us that good luck in legal matters can be brought about if one
wears a mojo bag filled with cascara sagrada and chews on a root of
galangal, spitting the juice on the court room floor. Common logic,
however, would dictate that spitting on a court room floor is probably
not very wise.
Precautions
Not
for use in pregnancy or lactation except under the supervision of a
qualified healthcare practitioner. Contraindicated with intestinal
obstruction, abdominal pain, or any inflammatory condition of the
intestines. Not for use in excess of 8 days unless under the supervision
of a qualified healthcare practitioner. We recommend that you consult
with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products,
particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
