NOW Foods Cascara Sagrada
Bark of Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana), which means "sacred bark", has long been used by traditional herbalists to improve bowel function and bowel regularity.
Dried Cascara bark has laxative properties. Cascara bark was used as a laxative by the Indians.
The active substance that has a laxative effect on the intestines is the anthraquinone contained in the Cascara bark. Bowel emptying occurs within 8-10 hours after taking cascara. Both folk and scientific medicine use cascara as a laxative.
Under the action of digestive enzymes, anthraquinone is destroyed with the formation of emodin and chrysaphanic acid, which stimulates irritation of the receptors of the mucous membrane and increases the motility of the large intestine, while the mucous membrane of the rest of the intestine is not irritated. Therefore, Cascara Sagrada is a mild laxative.
The German National Health Service recommends its use for constipation and those diseases in which it is desirable for a mild, soft stool, bowel release, such as fissures in the anal region, hemorrhoids and conditions after surgery on the rectum.