Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Cascara Sagrada The Safety Factor
Anthraquinone laxatives are considered a last resort for constipation. First, eat a diet higher in fiber, drink more fluids, and exercise more. If that doesn’t work, try a bulk-forming laxative, such as psyllium, for example. And if that doesn’t provide relief, try Cascara Sagrada.
Cascara Sagrada should never be used for more than two weeks. Over time, it causes lazy bowel syndrome, an inability to move stool without chemical stimulation. If constipation persists, consult a physician.
Cascara bark must be stored for at least a year before use.
The fresh herb contains chemicals that can cause violent catharsis and severe intestinal cramps. Drying changes these chemicals and gives the herb milder action. Fresh bark may also be artificially dried by baking at 250°F for several hours.
Cascara Sagrada should not be used by anyone with ulcers, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, or other gastrointestinal conditions.
Pregnant women should not use Cascara Sagrada.
For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who do not have digestive disorders and are not taking other laxatives, Cascara Sagrada is considered relatively safe when used cautiously in amounts typically recommended.
Cascara Sagrada should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If Cascara Sagrada causes minor discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or intestinal cramps, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if constipation does not improve in a few days.
Not for the Backyard
Cascara Sagrada is an unassuming, 20-foot tree with reddishbrown bark and thin, finely serrated leaves. It grows in the Northwest and is not a garden herb.