The Spanish name Cascara sagrada, meaning sacred bark, indicates its historical importance as a therapeutic plant for Native Americans .
A part of the bark of the tree was used as part for its restorative function ; they used it as a purgative, but also as a tonic for the liver and to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Even today, its infusion has purifying, laxative and restorative properties for the stomach.
Cascara Sagrada: properties and benefits
Its characteristics are still recognized today, especially for treating constipation. The bark of Cascada sagrada is excellent against constipation, having a complete purification function of the colon.
The chemical compounds that determine these powerful purifying effects are anthraquinones, which inhibit the absorption of water in the intestine, favoring its assimilation from the faeces. Their volume will increase the pressure in the intestine, muscle contractions in the colon and the natural laxative result.
Compared to other laxative plants, the bark of Cascara sagrada tends to be more delicate and induces bowel movement within 8-12 hours of intake.
It represents one of the most important plants for the entire digestive system, having properties that improve the gastrointestinal capacity of the body, avoiding inflammation related to digestion, and thus maintaining the well-being of everything the body.
By making the assimilation of food easier, the bark of Cascada sagrada can also improve the work of the liver. Once, in fact, this infusion was used for the treatment of gallstones, jaundice and liver disorders.
The high content of laxative substances also favors the weight loss diet, for those who often have problems with constipation, swelling and incorrect assimilation of nutrients.
According to tradition, its properties are also relaxing, and the bark of Cascada sagrada in herbal tea cut facilitates rest, and relieves states of tension.
The benefits of Cascara sagrada are also directed to our beauty, since they favor the development of healthy and robust hair. The use of the bark decoction, in fact, can help to fortify the hair. The decoction washes away the peeling skin of the scalp, unblocking the hair follicles: an action that promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss.
The benefits of Cascara sagrada also allow the skin to remain hydrated, favoring its elasticity. To this end, the cold Cascara sagrada tea was used to soothe skin irritations.
Origins and History of cultivation
This shrub is native to North America, particularly in the northwestern areas of California and is also found on the Pacific coast of Chile.
The plant was known for its various therapeutic benefits in the folk medicine of the Amerindians. They used its bark as a laxative, and to treat some liver ailments. Even the European conquerors, in the seventeenth century began to experience its effects and called it sacred bark (Cascara sagrada in Spanish). According to some it was called sacred due to its effectiveness, according to others because Noah's ark was built from its wood.
In 1877, an American pharmaceutical company began producing Cascara preparations which were exported to European markets. During the twentieth century, the boom linked to the Cascara industry caused damage to the environment, but still today it is still used in North America, in the preparation of laxative drugs and natural products.
Today the Cascara Sagrada. also called chittem bark, it is cultivated for medicinal purposes also in Europe and Kenya.
The processing of the bark can vary, but it is usually removed, diced and dried for up to a year, to reduce the harmful effects (fresh, causes nausea and vomiting).
The dried bark will then be pulverized or boiled, in some cases distilled for herbal products.
Plant and flowers
The herbaceous plant of Cascara Sagrada has the botanical name of Rhamnus purshiana.
It is an original shrubof the American continent, which develops up to 10 meters in height. The bark is smooth, brown or silver gray.
Shows thin, shiny leaves and tiny greenish-yellow flowers. It blooms in spring, and later the fruits are born, dark blue berries, with a yellow and noxious internal pulp.
Nutritional values of Cascara Sagrada - bark
Inside the bark there are elements such as vitamin B , and minerals such as calcium, potassium and manganese .
Furthermore, Cascara sagrada contains particular substances, anthraquinone glycosides including free anthraquinone and hydroxyanthracene derivatives (HAD). They are the elements responsible for the laxative properties of the bark, present as colored pigments in various plants, barks, woods and roots.
How to use Cascara Sagrada bark in herbal tea
The Cascara Sagrada infusion is obtained from the bark parts in the herbal tea cut, which must be placed in a cup (250 ml), about 3-5 grams with water at 100 ° C.
Leave to infuse for 5 to 7 minutes, before drinking the laxative herbal tea.
Add honey or sugar if desired.
Cascara Sagrada: side effects and contraindications
This herbal tea can cause some side reactions harmful to the intestine, so it should not be taken more than twice a week at the most. High doses can cause diarrhea and loss of potassium.
Cascara sagrada bark cannot be consumed by pregnant women.
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