cascara

Cascara refers to two primary natural products: the dried outer skin and pulp of the coffee cherry (coffee cascara), a byproduct of coffee processing, and the bark of *Rhamnus purshiana* (also known as cascara sagrada or cascara buckthorn). Coffee cascara is rich in bioactive compounds such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, melanoidins, polyphenols, and flavonoids, and has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic-regulating, and prebiotic effects, as well as its potential in skin health (e.g., photoaging) and gut health. The *Rhamnus purshiana* variety of cascara is known for its laxative properties, attributed to hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HADs). Both forms are explored for their health-promoting properties and potential use in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Other names

coffee cascaracascara pulpinstant cascaracascara buckthornRhamnus purshiana