Cascara sagrada side effects

Information on Cascara Sagrada

Cascara sagrada is a very popular type of laxative, and it has been used by Native Americans ever since the ancient times. It can come in very handy for all those who suffer from irregular bowel movements and constipation. The cascara sagrada tree is a deciduous one, and it originates from the northwest Pacific region of North America. Sometimes people refer to it as sacred bark, cascara or chittem bark. The cascara herb derives all its beneficial medicinal properties from the cascara bark. The bark needs to be stripped from the tree and then left for a year to age properly. Once the bark ages properly it can be used for numerous medicinal purposes. Cascara bark is very efficient in improving the bowel movements, aiding the process of digestion and relieving constipation, but only when consumed according to the prescribed dosage.

Composition of Cascara Sagrada

Cascara sagrada is characterized by a rather complex chemical composition which includes more than a hundred different types of substances known as anthraquinone glycosides. There are also other types of glycosides, which can be found in cascara sagrada, and they include frangulin, barbaloin and chrysalion. Other chemical compounds which are contained in cascara sagrada, although in smaller quantities, include emodin, palmidin C, emodin oxanthrone, palmidin B, chrysophanol, palmidin A, aloe emodin, freeaglycones and dianthrones based glycosides.

Cascara Sagrada Bark Side Effects

The primitive use of cascara sagrada included extraction of the medicine directly out of the cascara bark. Nowadays, people consume cascara sagrada in the form of capsules. The most common side effect of cascara sagrada is diarrhea, which occurs when the capsules cannot be digested or are taken in inappropriate dosages. Some people experience general weakness after consumingcascara sagrada capsules. This usually occurs because the body loses large amounts of essential body fluids. Abdominal pain can also be considered as a fairly common side effect of cascara sagrada. Prolonged exposure to cascara sacrada and allergic reactions may be the cause of such painful sensations in the abdomen. Cascara sacrada capsule overdose may result in nausea, vomiting and even abdominal bloating in some cases. Cascara sacrada capsules may also be related to certain other side effects such as electrolyte imbalance, liver toxicity, urine discoloration and swollen fingertips. Prolonged use and incorrect dosage of cascara sagrada capsules usually leads to the occurrence of some or all the aforementioned side effects. One should always consult a doctor before using cascara sagrada.