CASCARA SAGRADA

SOURCE INFORMATION

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Rosales
• Family: Rhamnaceae
• Genus: Rhamnus
• Species: Rhamnus purshiana

Origin

• Cascara sagrada, also known as Sacred Bark, is a plant native to western North America, primarily found in regions ranging from northern California to British Columbia.
• The plant grows in various habitats, including forests, woodlands, and mountain slopes, preferring moist, well-drained soils.
• Indigenous peoples of North America, such as the Native American tribes, have a long history of using cascara sagrada bark as a natural remedy for constipation and other gastrointestinal issues.

Historical Facts

• The use of cascara sagrada bark as a medicinal remedy date back centuries among Native American tribes, who used it primarily as a laxative to relieve constipation.
• Spanish missionaries in California observed the indigenous peoples using the bark and named it “cascara sagrada,” which means “sacred bark” in Spanish, due to its potent medicinal properties.
• Cascara sagrada gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in conventional medicine as a treatment for constipation. It was often used in various forms, including teas, tinctures, and tablets.

DRUG PATHOGENESIS

• Cascara sagrada is indicated for chronic indigestion, cirrhosis, jaundice, hemorrhoids, and constipation.
• It acts as a tonic for restoring normal bowel function and relieving constipation by stimulating peristalsis.
• The plant also has implications for other conditions such as gastric headaches, rheumatism of muscles and joints, and foul breath associated with gastrointestinal issues.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

• Palliative for constipation.
• Effective in chronic indigestion, cirrhosis, and jaundice.
• Relieves hemorrhoids and constipation.
• Alleviates gastric headaches.
• Tongue may appear broad and flabby, accompanied by foul breath.
• Constipation with difficulty initiating urine flow, which may start in drops.
• Rheumatism affecting muscles and joints, often associated with persistent constipation.

WHAT IS PALLIATION IN HOMOEOPATHY?

MODALITIES

Specific modalities are not provided in the drug picture.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER DRUGS

• Compare with Hydrastis, Nux vomica, and Rhamnus Californica for constipation and gastrointestinal issues.

DOSE

• Tincture to sixth potency is recommended for medicinal use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is cascara sagrada?

A: Cascara sagrada, or Sacred Bark, is a medicinal plant native to western North America, primarily used as a palliative for constipation.

Q: How does cascara sagrada work?

A: Cascara sagrada acts as a tonic for the bowel, stimulating peristalsis and restoring normal bowel function to alleviate constipation.

Q: What are the historical uses of cascara sagrada?

A: Indigenous peoples of North America have used cascara sagrada for centuries as a natural remedy for constipation, leading to its widespread adoption in conventional medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Q: Is cascara sagrada safe for long-term use?

A: Prolonged or excessive use of cascara sagrada may lead to dependence on laxatives and electrolyte imbalances, so it should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.