Cascara Sagrada
Spanish for "sacred bark." Native Americans shared it with settlers. It became America's most used laxative. Now essential for opening drainage during detox.
Quick Facts
Also Called
Rhamnus purshiana, Sacred Bark, Chittem Bark
Tradition
Native American (Pacific Northwest)
Primary Use
Stimulant laxative, opening drainage
Form
Capsules, liquid extract, aged bark
What It Is
Cascara sagrada comes from the bark of Rhamnus purshiana, a tree native to the Pacific Northwest. The bark must be aged at least one year before use, fresh bark causes severe cramping and vomiting.
The active compounds are anthraquinones (mainly cascarosides), which stimulate peristalsis in the colon. This isn't for daily use, it's for when you need to ensure things are moving during parasite cleanses and detox protocols.
How It Works
- →Anthraquinone action: Cascarosides irritate the colon lining, triggering muscular contractions (peristalsis)
- →Water secretion: Increases fluid secretion into the colon, softening stool
- →Timing: Takes 6-12 hours to work. Take at night, expect movement in the morning.
- →Bile stimulation: May also increase bile flow, supporting liver drainage
Traditional Use
Native American:Coast Salish, Chinook, and other Pacific Northwest tribes used cascara for constipation and digestive cleansing. They taught early Spanish settlers, who called it "sacred bark."
American medicine: Listed in the US Pharmacopeia from 1890 to 2002. Was the primary ingredient in many over-the-counter laxatives until the FDA reclassified it.
Modern use:Still available as a dietary supplement. Often used in short-term detox protocols when gentler methods aren't sufficient.
Dosing Protocol
Capsules
300-500mg of aged bark, taken at bedtime. Start with lowest dose. Increase only if needed.
Liquid Extract
1-2ml at bedtime. More precise dosing than capsules.
Duration Limit
Maximum 7-10 days consecutive use. Not for long-term. Use to open drainage, then transition to gentler options.
Contraindications
- • Pregnancy, stimulates uterine contractions
- • Breastfeeding, passes into breast milk
- • Inflammatory bowel disease, irritates already inflamed tissue
- • Intestinal obstruction, do not use
- • Long-term use, causes dependency, electrolyte depletion, "lazy bowel"
- • Children, not appropriate for children