frangula purshiana bark

Frangula purshiana bark, commonly known as cascara sagrada, is the dried aged bark of a shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a stimulant laxative for short-term relief of occasional constipation, its primary mechanism involves anthranol glycosides (notably emodin and related compounds) that act on the intestinal wall to increase muscle contractions and promote bowel movements. The FDA previously approved it as an over-the-counter laxative but later withdrew this status due to insufficient evidence of safety and efficacy. It is now primarily available in dietary supplements[1][2][3][4][5].

Brand names

Aid-laxAlsilineAmaro Medicinale Giuliani

Other names

cascara sagradabearberry barksacred barkchittem barkcascara buckthorn barkchittambarkpursh's buckthorn barkrhamni purshianae cortex