Cascara (Cascara Sagrada): What It Is and How People Use It

Cascara is the dried bark of the cascara sagrada tree. People use it as a short-term stimulant laxative. It contains anthranoids—compounds that make the bowel move faster and help stool pass. If you’re curious about using cascara, know it works differently than fiber and acts in about 6–12 hours, so timing matters.

How to use cascara and typical dosing

Forms you’ll find: loose bark for tea, liquid extracts, and capsules or tablets. If you make tea at home, use about 1 teaspoon of dried bark per cup of boiling water, steep 10–15 minutes, then strain. Many people take cascara at night so it produces a bowel movement in the morning. For supplements, follow the label; start with the lowest dose and only use for a few days.

Don’t treat cascara like a daily fix. It’s meant for occasional constipation. If you need a laxative more than a few times a month, switch to milder options like a bulk-forming fiber (psyllium) or talk to a clinician.

Safety, side effects, and red flags

Common side effects include abdominal cramping, loose stools, and dehydration. Using cascara long-term can cause electrolyte loss—especially potassium—which can affect heart medicines or diuretics. Chronic use of stimulant laxatives has been linked in clinical reports to a reversible colon discoloration called melanosis coli and to weakened bowel function.

Around 2002, regulatory authorities pulled some over-the-counter laxative approvals for cascara because of limited safety data. You can still find cascara as a dietary supplement, but that means quality and doses vary. Avoid cascara in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal blockage, or severe abdominal pain.

Watch for signs you should stop immediately: severe cramping, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, or a racing heart. If you take heart or blood-pressure medications, check with your prescriber before trying cascara—low potassium can be dangerous with some drugs.

Buying tips: pick brands that list the plant source and dose. Look for third-party testing or a reputable herbal supplier. Avoid products that promise daily 'detox' results—those claims are usually marketing, not science.

If you want a gentler approach, try increasing fiber, drinking more water, and moving more. For quick, safe relief, polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) is a common OTC option with predictable effects and fewer risks for short-term use.

Bottom line: cascara can help when you need short-term relief from constipation, but it isn’t a daily solution. Use the lowest effective dose, limit use to a few days, and get medical advice if you’re on other medications or have chronic digestive problems.