People use the bark of the cascara shrub for medicinal purposes. The shrub grows in the western portion of the United States and is an endangered species, according to Drugs.com. Additional names for cascara include bitter bark, yellow bark, dogwood bark and buckthorn. The active ingredient in cascara, hydroxyanthracene derivatives, works as a stimulant laxative to treat constipation. The supplement helps produce soft-formed stool with minimal cramping. Avoid taking herbal supplements without consulting your health care professional.
Availability
Cascara was available as an over-the-counter laxative agent, but in 2002 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pulled the products off the shelf because of safety and efficacy concerns, according to Drugs.com. Cascara is available as an herbal supplement and the FDA does not regulate the manufacturing of the product. Herbal options include dried bark to make tea, dried extract and liquid extract.
How to Use Cascara
To produce a bowel movement, a person can take up to 20 or 30 mg of products containing the active ingredient in cascara. Steeping a cup of tea with 2 g of chopped bark for five to 10 minutes is a typical dose of the herbal preparation, according to RxList. A typical dose of cascara liquid extract is 2 to 5 ml three times a day. Avoid taking doses larger than necessary to produce softened stools. Follow the advice of your health care provider about the duration and frequency of using cascara.
Side Effects
Adverse reactions that can occur when taking cascara include cramping or discomfort in the abdomen. Chronic use of cascara might cause an electrolyte imbalance because it can deplete necessary potassium in the body. Diarrhea might occur with continued use of cascara.
Considerations
Overusing laxatives to produce a bowel movement might make the bowel dependent on the medications. Using cascara for long periods also might cause complications such as decreased levels of potassium in the body, heart problems, dehydration and muscle weakness, according to RxList. People with an intestinal blockage or who suffer from a gastrointestinal condition such as Crohn's disease, stomach ulcers, appendicitis or ulcerative colitis should not use cascara. Cascara might alter the absorption of other medications a person takes. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should avoid using cascara because the product might experience a decrease in milk flow and spontaneous abortions after using cascara, according to Drugs.com.
Member Comments