* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Cascara is a safe, effective laxative. It should not, however, be used on a long-term basis. Chronic constipation could reflect more serious underlying disease, and individuals with this problem should consult their doctor.
Common names are chittem bark, Christ's thorn, California buckthorn, Persian bark, bear wood, chittinwood, and holy bark Use of this herb dates back to the seventeenth century as a remedy for constipation and stomach upset, and it was widely used by herbalists throughout the United States in the nineteenth century. Cascara sagrada not only stimulates the peristaltic action of the bowel, but has a toning action as well. It's considered safe for the young, old, and ill. It was first identified by a scientist named Pursh in 1814, from whom the name purshiana comes. In Spanish, the name means "sacred bark," and it's probably the most widely used herbal laxative on earth.
Plant Facts and Growing Tips
Plant: A deciduous shrub or small tree with a distinctive reddish bark. Native to California, it grows wild on the West Coast all the way to British Columbia. Tiny greenish yellow flowers appear in spring and small berries about 1/2 inch in diameter turn from scarlet to black when ripe.
Height: 5 to 25 feet.
Soil: Moist, evergreen forests; fertile soil.
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
Propagation: By seed, layering, or cuttings.
Part Used for Tea: Bark aged for at least one year, gathered from the young trunk and from moderate-size branches. Bark aged three years is considered best. The bark can be dried artificially at 100°F (37°C) for 1 hour to achieve the same effects as one year of aging.
Taste: Bitter, slightly acrid, disagreeable, and nauseating to many people.
How to Brew
By Decoction: Simmer 1 teaspoon bark in 1 1/2 pints water for 30 minutes. Allow liquid to cool in a covered container. Drink 1 tablespoon of cold decoction per day as needed.
By Infusion: Traditional methods include soaking a piece of dried bark in water overnight. A more potent laxative was made by boiling fresh bark for several hours or pouring boiling water over crushed bark and letting it cool. Nursing mothers and people with irritable bowel or ulcers should not use this tea. Also, use only dried bark, and in small doses; fresh bark or excessive doses will cause nausea and cramping.
Sweet Rewards Tea
This tea works wonders for constipation:
1 teaspoon cascara sagrada bark
1 teaspoon cicely leaves, dried (optional)
Boil the bark in 1 1/2 pints water for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add cicely 1eaves. Allow liquid to cool in a covered container.
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Directions
Stir 1/4 of a teaspoon into a glass of water and consume 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
This is a stimulating laxative and should not be used for more than 1-2 weeks without medical advice. Do not use if pregnant or suffering from Crohn's, colitis, apendicitis or other gastrointestinal disorder.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in childproof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease.
