Cascara Sagrada: The Herbal Colon Cleanse Bark
Cascara sagrada is the dried, aged bark of a small tree from the Pacific Northwest. It has been used for generations to support relief of occasional constipation and is a common ingredient in herbal colon cleanse formulas. Today it is sold as a dietary supplement.
The name is Spanish for "sacred bark." I have always liked that. It tells you people valued this tree long before anyone printed a label.
When I began building my formula, cascara was one of the first herbs I studied. Not because it was fashionable, but because it had sat in American medicine cabinets for generations. Here is what it is, and why it earned its place.
Where Does Cascara Sagrada Come From?
Cascara comes from a tree called Rhamnus purshiana, also listed as Frangula purshiana. It grows in the northwest corner of the United States.
Only the bark is used. And it is aged, traditionally for at least a year, before use. That patience has always been part of how good cascara is prepared.
Why Do People Use Cascara in a Colon Cleanse?
When people say "colon cleanse," most of them mean one thing: they want to feel lighter and more regular. Cascara is one of the herbs that has long been used for exactly that. It has a reputation for being steady rather than sudden.
How Does Cascara Sagrada Work?
Cascara contains natural plant compounds called anthraquinones, the same family found in senna. These prompt the muscles of the bowel to squeeze and move things along. That is different from fiber, which adds bulk and holds water.
Because it gets the bowel muscles working, cascara can cause some cramping, especially at higher amounts.
Is Cascara Sagrada FDA Approved?
In 2002 the FDA removed cascara sagrada and aloe latex from its list of ingredients allowed in over-the-counter laxative drugs. The reason was not a new finding of harm. Makers simply did not send in the safety data the FDA asked for.
Cascara can still be sold as a dietary supplement, which follows a different set of rules. Senna, its close cousin, remains an FDA-approved over-the-counter stimulant laxative ingredient for occasional constipation.
"I wanted herbs with a long track record, not the newest thing on the shelf."
Dr. Jennifer Daniels
Why Did I Choose Cascara for My Formula?
I did not want to lean on one herb alone. A blend lets each herb play a modest part. Cascara brings that old, trusted bark. Senna and cape aloe join it. Ginger, turmeric, garlic, clove and barberry round it out with digestive comfort in mind.
The whole formula is made in a GMP-certified facility in California, and every batch is third-party tested. Read how the three main herbs compare in herbal colon cleanse: senna, cascara and cape aloe.
How Does Cascara Compare to Senna?
| Cascara Sagrada | Senna | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it comes from | Aged bark of a Pacific Northwest tree | Leaves and pods of the senna plant |
| Key compounds | Anthraquinones | Anthraquinones |
| How it works | Prompts the bowel to move | Prompts the bowel to move |
| FDA status | Removed from the OTC list in 2002; sold as a supplement | FDA-approved OTC ingredient |
| Can cause cramping | Yes | Yes |
How Can You Get the Most From Herbal Support?
- Take it with food. Taking cascara or a cascara blend with your largest meal is easy to remember and easier on the stomach.
- Drink water. Herbs work best when you are well hydrated.
- Keep the basics. Fiber, movement and a morning routine still do the heavy lifting.
- Follow the label. More is not better.
Who Should Avoid Cascara Sagrada?
Talk with your doctor before using cascara if you:
- Are pregnant or nursing
- Are thinking of giving it to a child
- Take heart medicines, water pills or blood thinners
- Have a condition that affects the stomach or bowels
- Have belly pain, nausea or vomiting with no known cause
When Should You See a Doctor?
Call your doctor if you notice:
- A sudden change in your bowel habits
- Blood in your stool
- Severe belly pain
- Weight loss you cannot explain
- Constipation that lasts more than a couple of weeks
What Questions Do People Ask Most?
Is cascara sagrada the same as senna?
No. Cascara is bark; senna is leaves and pods. Both contain anthraquinones, so they work in a similar way.
Is cascara sagrada banned?
No. It was removed from the FDA's over-the-counter list in 2002 because safety data was not submitted, and it is still sold legally as a dietary supplement.
Why is cascara aged?
Aging the bark for at least a year is the traditional way it has always been prepared.
Can cascara be part of a daily routine?
In Vitality Capsules, cascara is one of eight botanicals in a once-daily capsule taken with your largest meal. If you take medicines or have a health condition, check with your doctor first.
Where Do Vitality Capsules Fit?
Cascara sagrada is one of the 8 botanicals in Vitality Capsules, with senna, cape aloe, ginger, turmeric, garlic, clove and barberry. One capsule a day with your largest meal. Since 2006, more than 25,000 people have made it part of their routine.
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This article is for general education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take medication or have a health condition.