Rhamnus purshiana

Rhamnus purshiana [Image]. [2014]. Retrieved from: http://oregonstate.edu/trees/broadleaf_genera/species/cascara_buckthorn.htm

Common name: 
Cascara sagrada
(Bone, 2003, p.127). 

Latin binomial:
Rhamnus purshiana 
(Hoffman, 1983, 180).

Family:
Rhamnaceae 
(Hoffman, 1983, 180).
 

Parts used:
Fruit or dried fruit 
(Hoffman, 1983, 180).
 

Active constituents:

• Anthraquinones
• Tannins
• Volatile oils 

(Hoffman, 1983, 180).   

Actions:

• Laxative

    (Bone, 2003, p. 127).

• Duretic
• Alterative 

    (Hoffman, 2002, p. 188).  

 

Indications:

• May be used for chronic constipation 

    (Hoffman, 2002, p. 188).

• Dyspepsia
• Headaches resulting from constipation and intestinal weakness
• Gastrointestinal conditions with hepatic involvement 

(Bone, 2003, p. 127).  

 

Contraindications: 
Conrindicated in Intestinal obstruction, intestinal inflammation such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis, and children under 12 years of age should not be prescribed casara 
(Bone, 2003, p. 127). 

Dosage:

• 3-8 ml of 1:2 liquid extract dose each day (Bone, 2003, p. 128). 
• 20-55 ml of 1:2 liquid extract each week (Bone, 2003, p. 128). 

Combinations:
Rhamnus purshiana should be combined with aromatics and carminatives, for  with liquorice (Hoffman, 2002, p. 188).  

References:

Bone, K. (2003) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs; herbal formulations for the individual patient. Churchill, Livingstone: Missouri.

Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.