Cascara sagrada bark, powder

Cascara for Constipation

Cascara sagrada is an herb that’s native to the North American continent. Traditionally, it’s been used to treat problems with constipation – and that’s still its major use. Many Native American tribes used cascara as a laxative in various ways. Some tribes made decoctions of the bark and others made infusions. But either way, the results was always the same.

Cascara sagrada works as a laxative and is a little bit of a stimulant for the intestines. It’s still used today to help treat constipation. If you suffer from chronic constipation, you’ll find cascara sagrada particularly helpful.

In today’s modern diet, many people don’t get enough fiber in their diet. Couple that with large amounts of stress, less physical activity, and poor sleeping habits and you often find people who have problems with constipation.

And when you have constipation, you have even more problems. Constipation can leave you feeling bloated and full. It can also cause you to gain weight. When you’re not going to the bathroom regularly, you aren’t getting the nutrients you need from your food. Chronic constipation can also leave you with problems such as painful bowel movements, hemorrhoids, and anal tears.

So, while occasional bouts of constipation can be expected, you should work to make your intestines work regularly. When you have a regular bathroom routine, you also reduce your risk of cancer of the colon.

Today, most people take cascara sagrada bark in fluid extracts that are flavored or in the form of pills and powders. Cascara sagrada tea has lost favor because of its bitter flavor. Why taste that if you don’t have to?

If you have chronic constipation, you’ll want to take cascara sagrada daily to help keep your intestines moving. This should also be coupled, of course, with improvements in your diet and moderate exercise.

For occasional problems with constipation, you can take cascara sagrada during the duration of the episode. It’s a natural way to relieve constipation that won’t cause you to have many cramps and doesn’t lead to issues with diarrhea as some medicinal laxatives can. It takes about 6-12 hours for cascara sagrada to take effect after the first dose. So be patient once you’ve begun to use the treatment.

Not only does cascara sagrada help to keep your intestines moving, it also helps to tone up the muscles of the large intestine. That means you’ll be more likely to have good colon health and tone.