Beneath the rough bark of the cascara sagrada tree lies a centuries-old secret—one that has been used as nature’s remedy for digestive issues and detoxification.
But beyond its reputation as a digestive aid, cascara sagrada holds a deeper connection to traditional medicine and modern herbal practices. Let's explore its benefits, how it works, and what you need to know before incorporating it into your routine.
What Is Cascara Sagrada?
Cascara sagrada is Spanish for “sacred bark” and was named by Spanish priests who compared the bark to the wood used to build the legendary ark of the covenant. The bark is brown or greyish in color on the outside and yellow on the inside (it begins to darken when extracted and exposed to sunlight).
The tree itself—Rhamnus purshiana—has broad, oval, green leaves, and between the start and middle of spring, it produces tiny 1/4-inch green/yellow flowers. It also produces a small, red, fleshy fruit with thin skin that turns deep purple or black.
In 1877, cascara sagrada was introduced to the scientific world, and by 1890, it officially entered the "Pharmacopeia of the United States." By the turn of the 20th century, cascara sagrada had achieved a worldwide reputation as the most popular laxative on the market.
Unfortunately, the FDA withdrew it in 2002 due to safety concerns. Now it can only be sold as a nutritional supplement rather than a drug.
Benefits of Cascara Sagrada
Natural Laxative
The traditional Native American use of cascara sagrada to relieve constipation is still the most common use, and it's the most widely used cathartic (a substance that speeds up the process of bowel elimination) on the planet.
Cascara sagrada encourages bowel movements by preventing the large intestine from absorbing water. The extra water increases bowel pressure and lubrication until excretion is possible. It usually causes a bowel movement 6 to 8 hours after it's taken.
The bark is rich in phytochemicals, called anthraquinones, that stimulate bowel movements and support the gut. They increase digestive secretions from the liver, stomach and pancreas while causing the intestines to contract and push out their contents.
"When she went to the bathroom upon taking the cascara sagrada extract, she looked in the commode and she saw some berries that she ate 12 years prior.” -Dr. Sebi.
Aids Digestion and Elimination
Cascara sagrada is used to trigger the “bitter reflex.” When the tongue senses the bitter taste, it signals for the brain to release a hormone called gastrin. This starts a series of biological processes that aid digestion and excretion, including:
- Stimulating appetite
- Releasing digestive enzymes
- Increasing the stomach’s ability to empty
- Assisting liver detoxification
- Increasing bile production
- Regulating metabolic hormones
- Repairing the gut lining
Gut Health
Cascara sagrada is rich in phytochemicals, including glycocides and cascarosides. Thus, it's been used to treat many different conditions related to the gut and digestive tract, including:
- Foreign bacteria (including E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, and various strains of Staphylococcus aureus)
- Candida
- Gallstones
- Hemorrhoids
- Liver issues
- Parasites
- Cancer
Risks of Cascara Sagrada
Fresh cascara sagrada bark contains a substance called anthrone, which causes vomiting and violent diarrhea. It must be aged for one year for the anthrone to decompose so the bark can be consumed by humans.
Dr. Sebi's Cascara Sagrada Products
A huge body of collected knowledge (known in the herbal word as materia medica) has reported the helpful properties of this sacred bark for countless generations. Dr. Sebi chose it as a critical component of his most powerful cleansing compounds:
- Dr. Sebi’s Bio Ferro Capsules cleanse and nourish the blood while supporting the immune system. Powerful phytochemicals encourage detoxification and enhance cellular oxygenation.
- Chelation 1 and Chelation 2 are exclusive to Dr. Sebi’s therapeutic packages and rapidly remove toxins and mucus, eliminating deep-rooted issues and resolving stagnation.
- Therapeutic Packages provide a unique opportunity to cleanse and nourish your body. Start your healing journey with any of these packages that are sure to get things moving.
Other Names for Cascara Sagrada
This sacred bark has a long history of use and more than 20 different names:
- Aulne noir
- Bearberry
- Bitter bark
- Bois noir
- Bois à poudre
- Borzène
- Bourgène
- Buckthorn
- California buckthorn
- Chittem bark
- Dogwood bark
- Écorce sacrée
- Nerprun
- Pastel bourd
- Purshiana bark
- Rhamni purshianae cortex
- Rhubarbe des paysans
- Sagrada bark
- Yellow bark
Cascara Sagrada's Natural Habitat
Cascara Sagrada trees are native to British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington in the US and throughout Mexico. You’ll find it by streams or in forests and valleys, typically growing under the shadow of bigleaf maple trees.
Harvested in spring or early summer when it’s easier to remove, the bark is dried in shade to preserve its yellow tinge and has a strong, bitter taste that persists in the mouth for hours after eating.
Cascara Sagrada Trivia
Did you know...?
- Cascara sagrada is so in demand that it has been over-harvested in some areas.
- Its leaves are a source of food for black bears, deer, elk, gray foxes, and ring-tailed cats.
- Its fruits are eaten by bears, birds, and raccoons.
- Humans may also consume the fruit (but it’s also a laxative).
- It's used in the food industry to flavor baked goods, ice cream, liquor, and soft drinks.
- People have applied cascara sagrada to their fingernails so that the bitter taste prevents biting.
