How to Take Cascara Sagrada for Health
Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is Spanish for "sacred bark." It was probably named by Spanish priests who learned about it from Native Americans. Cascara sagrada is an American species of buckthorn found on the western coast of North America. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of cascara sagrada. Although it was used by Native Americans as a laxative, it did not see widespread use for this purpose in Western medicine until 1877. A European relative, Rhamnus frangula, has been used as early as 1650, however.
2
Look at the results from modern scientific testing of cascara sagrada. It has been tested extensively and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1978 as a safe and effective treatment of chronic constipation.
3
Prepare cascara sagrada for use by harvesting the bark in spring and summer. Age the bark for at least a year to reduce its effects because the fresh bark is too strong. The active ingredients in the bark are anthraquinones.
4
Study the side effects of cascara sagrada. High dosages can cause nausea and vomiting. Cramps and diarrhea also have been reported.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage of 20 mg to 70 mg per day of cascara sagrada. It should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women. Cascara sagrada is also contraindicated for patients suffering from intestinal blockage and appendicitis and
children
less than 12 old.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068070_take-cascara-sagrada-health.html
Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is Spanish for "sacred bark." It was probably named by Spanish priests who learned about it from Native Americans. Cascara sagrada is an American species of buckthorn found on the western coast of North America. The following steps will help you decide whether or not to take this herbal supplement.
1
Read about the historical uses of cascara sagrada. Although it was used by Native Americans as a laxative, it did not see widespread use for this purpose in Western medicine until 1877. A European relative, Rhamnus frangula, has been used as early as 1650, however.
2
Look at the results from modern scientific testing of cascara sagrada. It has been tested extensively and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1978 as a safe and effective treatment of chronic constipation.
3
Prepare cascara sagrada for use by harvesting the bark in spring and summer. Age the bark for at least a year to reduce its effects because the fresh bark is too strong. The active ingredients in the bark are anthraquinones.
4
Study the side effects of cascara sagrada. High dosages can cause nausea and vomiting. Cramps and diarrhea also have been reported.
5
Take no more than the recommended dosage of 20 mg to 70 mg per day of cascara sagrada. It should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women. Cascara sagrada is also contraindicated for patients suffering from intestinal blockage and appendicitis and
children
less than 12 old.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068070_take-cascara-sagrada-health.html
