Family Name: Rhamnaceae
Botanical Name(s): Rhamnus Purshianus
Popular Name(s): Cascara Sagrada, Sacred Bark, Purshiana Bark,
Persian Bark, Chittem Bark, Bearberry, California Buchthorn, Cascara.
Parts Used: Bark
Habitat: Native to the provinces and states of the Pacific
coast, including British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern
California.
Description: Cascara sagrada is a 20-foot tree with reddish
brown bark and thin serrated leaves. Umbels of small flowers appear in
late spring, followed by poisonous black berries.
Uses: Cascara sagrada bark is used for constipation where a
stimulant laxative is required. It is also used for colitis, digestive
complaints, hemorrhoids, liver problems and jaundice. Cascara Sagrada is
a mild laxative, acting principally on the large intestine.
