I can understand your concerns, and will provide the best information I can for you. Cascara Sagrada
The following is an exact excerpt from the book “The Little Herb Encyclopedia- Third Edition”. By Jack Ritchason N.D. Copyright 1995 Published by Woodland Health Books.
“CASCARA SAGRADA (Rhamnus purshiana)
A.K.A.,: Sacred Bark, California Buckthorn.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Alternative, Anthelmintic, Bitter tonic, Cathartic, Cholagogue, Emetic, Febrifuge, Hepatic, Laxative stimulant, Nervine, Stomachic, Tonic-colon.
PART USED: The aged, dried bark.
The name “sacred bark” dates back to the seventeenth century, when it was bestowed on this tree by Spanish and Mexican explorers. Apparently, they were intrigued by the American Indians use of the bark for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Its most important use, however, was as a remedy for constipation or upset stomachs.
· Cascara Sagrada is an excellent remedy for chronic constipation.
· Cascara Sagrada is very invigorating to the body despite its bitter taste.
· Its bark is rich in hormone-like oils which promote peristaltic action in the intestinal canal.
· Cascara Sagrada is not considered to be habit-forming, as it cleanses and restores natural tone to the colon.
· Cascara Sagrada improves a sluggish colon that is chronically constipated, by improving the flow of secretions of the stomach, liver and pancreas.
· Cascara Sagrada is effective on the gall bladder ducts and helps the body to rid itself of gallstones. Cascara Sagrada also increases the flow of bile.
· Cascara Sagrada has also been helpful for the treatment of hemorrhoids by being non-irritating and forming a soft stool allowing painless passage.
· Cascara Sagrada helps in cases where there is chronic hardening of the stool. It is believed that after prolonged use of Cascara Sagrada as a tonic, the bowels will operate naturally.
· Cascara Sagrada is reported to work because it excites the autonomic nervous system of the body. The stimulation of the autonomic nervous system increases peristaltic action. The worm like movement of muscle in the large intestine is referred to as peristalsis.
· Many pharmaceutical companies use Cascara Sagrada along with other ingredients.”
By Jack Ritchason N.D. Copyright 1995 Published by Woodland Health Books.
Senna is a stimulant as well as a very powerful cathartic, and should never be used alone. It should only be used in combination with other herbs in a formula. Used alone in any dose you could buy it in (500mg caps or powder) it would probably cause cramping, diarrhea, and dependency. That is why it is used in combination with other herbs in the Turkey Rhubarb formula. Senna does have excellent astringent properties in addition to its laxative properties that give it a toning effect on the digestive system and effectively cleans the elimination system.
The pain in the lower right side of the colon could be several things. As I am not a doctor, I can not presume to tell what it is. It could be gas pain, as when the Turkey Rhubarb begins to work it breaks up the build up on the inside wall of the colon which releases a lot of toxins. As you know, rotting food or other organic matter gives off smelly odors and gases as it decomposes. When this decomposing matter is disturbed it often releases a lot of these toxins all at once resulting in gas pain. You may also be a bit dehydrated, this is the most common cause of constipation any way. Increased water intake, along with a little Ginger or Peppermint tea should clear this right up. Some people find that eating a cracker or two also helps.
We all must make our own decisions from the information we have available, and choose between natural and chemical therapies and products.
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