Introduction

Cascara sagrada is a shrub that grows in North America. The dried bark has been used as a laxative. It can be taken as a pill, liquid, or powder.

What Research Shows

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

Cascara sagrada may be safe for most adults to take for a short period of time. Cascara sagrada should not be taken for a long period Cascara sagrada may damage the liver and should not be taken at all by children, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, or by people with gastrointestinal conditions.B1

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

• Cascara sagrada is a laxative. It may make the medicines you take less effective.
• Taking cascara sagrada and licorice may lower blood potassium levels.
• Taking cascara sagrada and other laxatives can cause stomach ulcers.
• Taking cascara sagrada and opioids or antidopaminergic drugs can cause irregular heart rhythms.
• People taking blood pressure medication should talk to their doctors before taking cascara sagrada. It can lower blood potassium levels.