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Home >
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Supplement Articles
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CASCARA
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
A great way to naturally
aid the colon and parasite
cleansing process ... |
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CASCARA |
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Cascara will help
clean your bowels
and keep you regular |
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Cascara sagrada has
been used for many
years as an
intestinal stimulant
and bitter tonic.
It contains
chemicals called
anthroquinone
glycosides, some of the
strongest laxative agents in
the plant world. These chemicals work
by irritating the
intestinal lining,
causing the nerves
to fire and leading
to muscle
contractions, as the
body attempts to
release the
irritating agent
from the intestine. |
Cascara is commonly
used as an
adjunctive treatment
during colon and
parasite cleansing.
It can be used for
constipation but
only in the short
term. Cascara
tastes bitter, when
it is taken as a tea
or tincture, which
stimulates the
release of digestive
juices. Repeated
use of cascara sagrada leads to the
loss of large
amounts of fluid,
electrolytes,
partially digested
food and
medication. Read
the
contraindications in
the last paragraph
of this article to
make sure that it is
safe for you to use
this herb.
Cascara bark that is
less than one year
old should not be
used because it
causes stomach
irritation.
Manufacturers use
bark that is at
least 2 years old.
Cascara sagrada can
be purchased as
dried bark,
encapsulated bark or
tincture. In
order to help with
digestion, bitter
herbs must be
tasted, like when
you take in a
tincture or tea.
Encapsulated herbs
are swallowed, thus
bypassing the taste
buds, and will not
stimulate digestion.
Cascara can be found
in combinations for
constipation and
colon cleansing.
Cascara sagrada’s
laxative action
irritates the
intestinal lining
and should not be
used by those with
any type of
intestinal
condition, acute or
chromic. Due to the
loss of water and
electrolytes through
the stool it should
not be used by
people taking heart
medication and
diuretics. All
medications may not
be absorbed as well
when cascara is
being used.
Children and the
elderly should not
use cascara sagrada. Nursing
mothers should not
use cascara sagrada
because the laxative
components will
transfer into the
breast milk.
Cascara’s intestinal
stimulation may
cause uterine
contractions in
pregnant women.
Your bowel can
become accustomed to
the stimulation of
cascara sagrada and
therefore it should
not be used for
longer than 8-10
days at a time. |
Cascara
sagrada–
QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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·
Bark. |
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APPLICATIONS |
·
Constipation,
colon
cleansing.
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OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
Not to
exceed 300mg
daily,
standardized
to 25%
hydroxyanthracene
derivatives.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Activated
charcoal,
fibre,
detoxifying
herbs. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click for products |
·
Do not use
cascara
sagrada if
you have
chronic
intestinal
inflammation
or
obstruction,
diarrhea or
unknown
abdominal
pain.
·
Do not use
cascara
sagrada if
you are
pregnant or
nursing.
·
Do not use
cascara
sagrada for
longer than
8-10days.
·
Be sure to
stay
hydrated and
keep your
electrolyte
levels up
when using
cascara
sagrada.
·
Cascara
sagrada
should not
be used by
children,
those on
diuretics or
those on
heart
medication. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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