Natural Herbal Remedies: a plant or plant part or an extract or mixture of these used to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease

Cascara Sagrada

Cascara Sagrada, also known as rhamnus purshiana, California buckthorn, sacred bark and cascara, contains anthroquinones. Anthroquinones haveco laxative effects and cause contractions in the colon. This is why Cascara Sagrada is one of the most commonly used herbal laxatives today. Many have found natural relief for constipation with the use of Cascara Sagrada.

Cascara Sagrada is a species of buckthorn that grows up to 5 to 15 meters tall. It is native to western North America. The bark is brownish or silver with light, grey splotching. Cascara Sagrada grows in acidic, moist soils.

Cascara Sagrada comes in a wide variety of forms including liquid extracts, dried bark and capsules. The dried bark may be made into tea. Fresh bark is not recommended as it may cause vomiting and/or bloody diarrhea. A 300 milligram capsule is recommended in the early evening in order to stimulate a bowel movement in the morning, or approximately 6 to 12 hours after the Cascara Sagrada is taken.

Although uncommon, side effects from Cascara Sagrada use have been reported. These side effects include muscle cramping in the stomach, loss of bodily fluid and others. This herbal supplement should not be taken for more than 7 days in a row. Those who are pregnant or nursing should not take Cascara Sagrada. Likewise, children should not take this supplement. Those with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticular disase, blood vessel disease, hemorrhoids, heart disease, severe anemia, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal cancer, recent surgery on the colon, kidney disease or liver disease should not use Cascara Sagrada.

Nutraceuticals are food supplements with medical health benefit, including the prevention and treatment of disease. The term was coined in the late 1980’s by Dr. Stephen DeFelice, M.D., founder and chairman of the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine. Such foods also commonly are referred to as functional foods, signifying they and or their components may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. While all foods are functional in that they provide nutrients, nutraceuticals contain health promoting ingredients or natural components that have a potential health benefit for the body.

Bio Scientists have identified hundreds of compounds with functional qualities, and they continue to make new discoveries surrounding the complex benefits of phytochemicals in foods.  Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals that have protective or disease preventive properties.

Most often, nutraceuticals are simply natural. The FDA regulates nutraceuticals in the same way they regulate all foods, the safety of ingredients must be assured in advance, and all claims must be substantiated, truthful, and nonmisleading. Most members of the medical community are in acceptance of the health benefits of nutraceuticals. However, there is concern over products entering the consumer markets not following FDA guidelines and lacking adequate effacy and safety data.

When considering which brand to buy it is important you consider how the vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements and dietary products are being manufactured. Here are some important Accreditations and Affiliations:

FDA - Food & Drug Administration

Fully licensed with the FDA.

NSF – National Safety Foundation

A core principle in the manufacturing of all health related products is to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) set out by the FDA. The NSF is an independent organization in which certifies NSF GMP certified manufacturer of vitamins, nutraceuticals, nutritional supplements and dietary products. The NSF Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Registration for contract manufacturers and internal manufacturing facilities of dietary supplement companies enables contract manufacturers to become independently registered by NSF as complying with GMP requirements as listed in Section 8 of NSF/ANSI Standard 173-2008. These requirements are consistent with the published GMP regulation for dietary supplements as defined in 21 CFR § 111, which was published by the FDA in May 2007

cGMP - Good Manufacturing Practices

The FDA has outlined Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that it is represented to possess.  

DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration

Compliant and licensed with the Drug Enforcement Administration in ensuring that all products manufactured abide by DEA policies and guidelines.

Natural Products Association

The nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organizations dedicated to the natural products industry. The U.S. department of agriculture regulates and sets standards for the use of the term “natural” and “organic”.

Quality Assurance International – Certified Organic

Independent third party certification of organic food systems has been the foundation of domestic and international organic food trade. The evolution of this verification effort, which documents the authenticity of organic farming and various subsequent levels of handling, is mandatory under the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and full implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule.

All vitamins, nutritional supplements, and nutraceuticals are made in the United States of America 100% Guaranteed.

Organic Certifiers

Committed to working with organic producers dedicated to providing consumers with certified organic products.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. You should consult your physician before starting any new supplement, diet or fitness regimen.