How to Use Cascara Sagrada as a Constipation Remedy

Cascara Sagrada comes from the bark of the buckthorn tree. It stimulates your colon to produce stronger contraction than normal. When it does this, it can work on the most difficult and chronic cases of constipation.

It is one of the herbal constipation remedies with a strong laxative effect. It will be found in many herbal combinations that are mixed for constipation. Cascara has Chrysophanic acid, which stimulates your colon wall to produce peristaltic action. Cascara also contains a chemical called emodin, which controls the strong action of Chrysophonic acid thus producing a balanced laxative effect.

If you use cascara in a constipation remedy mixture, do not use this mixture for more than thirty days. After 30 days take a rest from it. Do not use Cascara in large amounts and for long periods since it can cause intestinal distress and become habit-forming. When you use it, you will see results in 1-2 days.

Cascara Sagrada also stimulates secretions from the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach. These secretions give Cascara additional laxative effects.

Do not use Cascara Sagrada if you have irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, or ulcers. Use Cascara for a limited time. It can become habit-forming and, if used for an extended time, it can increase the risk of colon cancer. Its use also causes you to lose potassium with each bowel movement.

If you have liver problems do not use cascara sagrada full strength. Use it in combination with other herbs. Cascara is known to put a strain on the liver.

You can take Cascara Sagrada as a single herb for constipation. As a single herb, it can cause cramping and nausea. However, I recommend you used it with other herbs. In an herbal combination, the combination can detoxify your colon, tonify your colon walls, cleanse the blood and produce other synergistic actions.

In Michael Murray, N.D., book called The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines, he talks about the drug interaction of cascara sagrada,

“Cascara and other stimulant laxatives may decrease absorption of other drugs that pass through the gastrointestinal tract. If you are currently taking an oral medication, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before self-medicating with cascara. Cascara may potentiate the action of digoxin and other heart medications due to potassium depletion. The use of cascara with thiazide diuretics and corticosteroids may further decrease potassium levels.”

Recommend dose for the cascara sagrada, as a single herb, is 350 – 1000mg just before bedtime.

Use 1-4 cascara sagrada powder capsules a night, but do not use these capsules for more than 10 days. Start with 1 capsule a night and increase the amount each day until you get results you want.

For a laxative tea, use one teaspoon of cascara bark in 3 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Drink 1-2 cups of tea just before bedtime after it has cooled to room temperature.

Cascara Sagrada is a strong constipation remedy and will help you clean out your colon even if you have chronic constipation. Use it sparely and for a short time.

Rudy Silva
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/how-to-use-cascara-sagrada-as-a-constipation-remedy-123844.html

Internal Herbal Cleansing

Herbal cleansing has become very popular in the world today and comes in many different forms. One can go to an alternative health clinic for advanced forms of herbal cleansing or simply take herbal supplements at home.

There are many products on the market in the form of pills or powders with various herbal combinations depending on the particular type of cleansing you wish to undertake.

One can take herbs to cleanse the liver, kidneys, and other vital organs. The most popular form of herbal cleansing however, is to clean the intestines. The purpose behind herbal cleansing is to remove wastes and toxins from the body so cleansing the intestines is the logical choice.

An efficiently functioning digestive tract will help support and nourish the body. Properly formulated herbal supplements can assist the elimination of wastes and improve the assimilation of nutrients in the body.

Many alternative health practitioners believe that ill health begins in the colon and the first step in preventing and treating disease is to cleanse the digestive tract. Our modern diet of heavily processed food along with sedentary lifestyles contributes to the accumulation of waste products in the colon and a sluggish digestive system.

Herbal cleansing help restore the body to its normal state of being able to repair itself and ward off disease. Some claim that herbal cleansing remedies can help rid the body of parasites which could be responsible for a variety of diseases.

Another claim of herbal cleansing products is that the herbs help to loosen old material in the intestines and allow it to pass out of the body. In addition, some herbs may help to tone the bowels to allow them to function more normally to aid in the rapid elimination of wastes.

There are actually many varieties of herbal supplements on the market today and the function will depend upon which herbs are used in the product. You can easily find herbal cleansing products at your local health food store. You can also shop for them online where you will be assured of having access to a huge variety of products and be able to research them and then compare prices before you buy.

When buying herbs it is important to buy quality standardized herbal preparations. It is usually not a good idea to buy herbal supplements based on price alone. Stick with well known and respected name brands and if you have any questions, consult your physician or alternative healthcare provider for medical advice.

If you currently are on prescription medication or have an illness, it is particularly important to talk with your doctor before adding herbal supplements to your diet as some herbs may react with your medications.