Cascara Extract
Also known as Cascara Sagrada (“sacred bark”). An extract of the bark of Rhamnus purshiana, a species of Buckthorn native to North America. Cascara is used as an herbal laxative: the active compounds (“cascarosides”) stimulate the lower intestine and promote contractions. Although Cascara is used in a number of over-the-counter “cleansing” and “detox” supplements, the FDA does not consider Cascara safe for use as a laxative, due to the lack of data on safety.
Cascara is also a source of emodin and aloe-emodin, anthraquinones with possible anti-cancer activity.
