The Alternative Health Gazette

Laxative Herbs: Cascara Sagrada and Senna

Cascara Sagrada is an herb used primarily as a natural laxative. It’s been used by Native Americans for centuries, and is known to some as “The Sacred Bark”, or californian buckthorn.

This herb is known to help increase bile production in the liver, as well as secretions of the stomach, pancreas and lower bowel. It actually promotes contractions of the bowel, or peristaltic action, which cause you have the urge to have a bowel movement.

Some sources feel Cascara Sagrada is not a habit forming herb, and is safe for use in pregnant women and children. Others say this is not the case however, and part of the conflicts in opinion are related to lack of official scientific testing.

It actually appears as if a lot of listed side effects and precautions for herbal remedies are based on the side effects and precautions listed for synthetic versions of the same medications. More often than not however, herbal remedies don’t have the same types of side effects prescription medications do, which is why many people choose to use them. Never the less, always use caution when taking any new herb, because anyone can have an adverse reaction to anything.

Cascara can be purchased at any health food or herbal store in pills, capsules, liquid, powders and dried bark forms. Regardless of how you decide to take the Cascara, be sure you’re purchasing cured Cascara Sagrada, because the fresh bark can cause bloody stools and other problems.

Cascara is considered to be a gentle herb for use in cleansing the bowel, because it is not a purgative.

Senna is another strong herbal laxative, and it is a purgative. This herb is often taken in tea form, and it also causes peristaltic contractions. Many people swear by how well this herb works, but they also note that it can make you feel very sick, and you that you shouldn’t be away from the bathroom for a couple of hours after taking it. If Senna makes you nauseous, adding a bit of ginger or cinnamon can sometimes help.

Statements made in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

(Sources)
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/cascara.htm
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/buckth80.html#cal
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/senna-42.html
The How To Herb Book, Mayfield Publications

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