Cascara









Cascara


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
This product is used as a laxative.
How does it work?
Cascara is a stimulant laxative. It works by stimulating wave like movements in the large intestine. This helps with bowel movements.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Do not take for more than 2 days. Talk with healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • This product is taken on an as needed basis.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Do not give this natural product to a child 12 years old or younger. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • You may need potassium supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use caution if you had a stomach ulcer or bleeding. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you have a weakened heart. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Use with caution if you are taking antiarrhythmic or cardiac glycoside medicines.
  • If you have had gallstones, talk with healthcare provider before taking this natural product.
  • Do not use this natural product if you have a bowel obstruction, diarrhea, or are dehydrated.
  • Use with caution if you have bowel disorders or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis).
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this product.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Low potassium level. Signs include feeling tired, weak, numbness, or tingling; muscle cramps; constipation; vomiting; or fast heartbeat.
  • Belly pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Change in blood pressure.
  • Muscle pain.
What should I monitor?
  • Watch for unusual swelling of the legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, or exercise tolerance.
  • Check blood work (potassium). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Fast heartbeat.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Blood in stool and toilet bowl.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Aged bark
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
May change absorption of medicines taken orally because it may increase the time it takes the medicine to travel through the large intestine. Medicines that have been reported to interact are digoxin, antiarrhythmics, phenytoin, laxatives, lithium, theophylline, and potassium-depleting diuretics. This product also interacts with licorice.
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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