The Oregon Forest’s Amazing Medicines: Cascara

the outlawed laxative — Rhamnus purshiana

Cascara

Cascara — It’s a small tree, or large bush, that grows in the Northwest. I remember as a child being thrilled to spot one among the vine maple and salmonberry bushes in our Oregon forest. It is known as Cascara Sagrada, bitter bark, and cascara buckthorn among other names. In Spanish, Cascara Sagrada means “sacred bark.” In Chinook Jargon it is called chittem. This was the name we knew it by back in the day when we collected the Cascara for the medicinal market. This market ended in 2002 when the FDA outlawed it as an ingredient in commercial laxatives, as there were no studies proving it was either safe or effective. It is still sold as an herbal product, however. As an herbal supplement, it is considered safe for most people to use for its laxative effects for up to seven days.

We harvested the greyish-black bark in the spring by stripping it from the trees, which could grow to over 30 feet tall, although most of our trees were smaller with trunks four or five inches in diameter. I recall being instructed to leave a strip of bark so that we didn’t kill the tree, but I know some harvesters would simply cut the slender tree down and remove all the bark. This may be the reason it is now an endangered plant species.

We left the bark to dry on tarps in a shady place for several weeks. As it dried, it curled into yellow strips. We then bagged it up in burlap bags and took it to the local feed store, where they inspected and purchased our harvest. For us kids, it was a fun way to get a little pocket change. However, there were serious foragers out there and the tree is now considered an endangered species, due to its popularity with the pharmaceutical industry during those years, but it can still be found in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, just not in its former numbers.

It is a deciduous tree with dark green leaves that turn reddish-orange in the fall. Deer and elk are fond of the leaves. The tree produces white flowers in late spring, and then puts on small purple berries. These contain the seeds. The berries are eaten by birds, bears, and other woodland animals, who then distribute the seeds and propagate the plant. Humans do not tolerate the bitter berries well, as they are mildly toxic and will cause nausea and diarrhea. Their bitter taste usually dissuades human consumption.

The dried bark was used by the Native Americans in the Northwest for centuries as a treatment for constipation and was used as a tool to maintain health and balance. It also played a part in purification ceremonies, preparing them for important rituals. The laxative effects of the dried bark are said to be mild and gentle. The fresh bark, however, is not to be chewed as it is very bitter, has a powerful laxative effect, and will numb your taste buds for a time.

A very interesting medicinal tree, and one that is slowly making a comeback in the Pacific Northwest.

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