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Rhamnus purshiana - DC.

Common Name Cascara Sagrada
Family Rhamnaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards There is the suggestion that this species could be mildly poisonous[19, 65]. Excessive use can cause cramps and diarrhoea. Limit treatment to 8-10 days. Long term use can be habit forming. Fresh cascara can cause a bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. It should be aged for at least 1 year or heat treated. Do not use on children [301].
Habitats Rich bottom lands and sides of canyons, usually in coniferous forests[60, 82].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rhamnus purshiana Cascara Sagrada


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koeh-121.jpg
Rhamnus purshiana Cascara Sagrada
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary

UPDATE 15/2/2012: Rhamnus purshiana DC. is a synonym of Frangula purshiana Cooper


Physical Characteristics

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Rhamnus purshiana is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 6 m (19ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Frangula purshiana. (DC.)Cooper., Rhamnus purshiana

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 118, 161, 257]. A thin, rather juicy flesh[82]. It is sometimes eaten[183]. There is some debate as to whether the fruit is edible or slightly toxic[226]. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200] and contains 2 - 3 small seeds[229]. An extract of the bark, with the bitterness removed (by drying?) is a common flavouring for soft drinks, baked goods and ice cream[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Cascara sagrada is widely used as a gentle laxative that restores tone to the bowel muscles and thus makes repeated doses unnecessary[226, 244]. It is often sold in chemists etc[226]. The bark is used, this is harvested on a commercial basis from wild trees and plantations in western N. America[226]. It should be harvested in the autumn or spring at least 12 months before it is used medicinally, in order to allow the more violent purgative effect to be mollified with age[95, 213]. Three year old bark is considered to be the best age[4]. It is considered suitable for delicate and elderly persons and is very useful in cases of chronic constipation[4]. The bark also has tonic properties, promoting gastric digestion and appetite[1, 4, 11, 21, 57, 94, 95, 165]. As well as its uses as a laxative, it is taken internally in the treatment of digestive complaints, haemorrhoids, liver problems and jaundice[238]. This remedy should be used with caution since in excess it causes vomiting and diarrhoea[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant or lactating women, or patients with intestinal obstruction[238]. An infusion of the bark is sometimes painted over finger nails in the hope that the bitter taste will deter the person from biting their nails[238]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Rhamnus purshiana for constipation (see [302] for critics of commission E).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A green dye is obtained from the bark[99, 118, 257]. Plants are sometimes grown in America as an ornamental hedge[229]. Wood - light, soft, not strong. Used for making the handles of small tools[82, 99].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil in sun or partial shade[11, 238]. This species is hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Closely related to R. frangula[11]. This species is cultivated as a medicinal plant in N. America[57, 60, 61] and is also collected from the wild[238]. It is becoming rare in the wild because of over-collection[238]. The flowers are produced in small clusters on shoots of the current year's growth[82]. A good bee plant[94]. The species in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed will require 1 - 2 months cold stratification at about 5° and should be sown as early in the year as possible in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, autumn in a frame. Layering in early spring[4].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rhamnus alaternusItalian BuckthornShrub5.0 6-9 FLMHSNDM002
Rhamnus carolinianusIndian Cherry, Oak, Carolina BuckthornTree12.0 5-9 SLMHSNM212
Rhamnus catharticaCommon BuckthornShrub6.0 3-7  LMHSNDM033
Rhamnus croceusRed BerryShrub4.0 7-10  LMHNDM20 
Rhamnus dahuricaDahurian BuckthornShrub7.0 4-8  LMHSNM113
Rhamnus frangulaAlder BuckthornShrub5.0 3-7 SLMHSNMWe033
Rhamnus globosalokaoShrub3.0 0-0  LMHSNM002
Rhamnus grandiflora Shrub4.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Rhamnus japonicaJapanese buckthornShrub3.0 4-8  LMHSNM112
Rhamnus leptophyllus Shrub1.8 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Rhamnus lycioides Shrub0.0 -  LMHNDM001
Rhamnus nepalensis Shrub1.5 -  LMHSNM11 
Rhamnus persicus Shrub1.0 -  LMHSNM202
Rhamnus purpureus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Rhamnus saxatilisAvignon Berry, Rock buckthornShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Rhamnus saxatilis tinctoriusDyer's BuckthornShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Rhamnus triquetra Shrub7.0 -  LMHSNM012
Rhamnus utilisChinese BuckthornShrub3.0 -  LMHNM002
Rhamnus virgatus Shrub2.0 -  LMHSNM112

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

DC.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

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