About Cascara Sagrada
A bark (Rhamnus purshiana) containing anthraquinones that act as a stimulant laxative. Effective for short-term constipation, but chronic use causes electrolyte loss and dependence, and the FDA removed it from OTC laxative monographs over safety/efficacy data gaps.
What Cascara Sagrada supports
- Stimulant laxative bark (short-term use)
How much Cascara Sagrada to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
100–1000
mg
Stimulant laxative; effective amounts vary by anthraquinone content. Short-term use only.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Effective short-term laxative; chronic use unsafe; FDA OTC concerns
Reference