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Buckthorn Bark - Botanical Extract 4:1 -- Approximately 600 mg. each capsule. 1/2 teaspoon of powder is about equal to one capsule. Powder can be consumed by sprinkling it over your food or mixing it with a syrup such as maple or chocolate. You could also mix it with orange juice. The citric acid in the orange juice will help to mask any unpleasant powder tastes.

Other common names: Alder Buckthorn, Frangula Bark, Black Alder, Glossy Buckthorn, Black Dogwood, European Alder Buckthorn

Buckthorn Bark is known as a mild, but effective, laxative that efficiently and thoroughly evacuates the intestines and bowel, relieving both chronic and atonic constipation. It also stimulates the production of bile secretions, which promote healthy gallbladder and liver functions, helping to relieve jaundice and hepatitis.

History:
The alder Buckthorn is a small, deciduous tree or coarse shrub that is native to Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, but was introduced to North America before 1800, invading native habitats by the early 1900s. In Gray's Manual of Botany ( 8th edition), Buckthorn Bark was described as "recently and rapidly spreading; likely to become obnoxious." Buckthorn generally reaches a height of twenty feet, bearing oblong, feather-veined and alternately-growing leaves, yellow-green flowers that bloom from May to September, and fruits that change from red to black as they ripen in July and August. The shiny leaves are dark green (in the summer) and turn greenish-yellow to yellow in the autumn, remaining on the plant when most other species have already lost their foliage. Buckthorn may be found in abandoned fields, forest edges, pastures, gardens or vacant lots, thriving in well-drained, neutral-to-acid soil in sun or partial shade.

The bark, which is nearly inodorous and has a sweetish and slightly bitter taste, is stripped from young plants in spring and early summer and dried for one or (preferably) two years before being used in herbal medicines as a mild (but highly effective) and agreeable laxative. The longer the bark is dried, the milder its cathartic actions. Buckthorn Bark was listed in both the British Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopoeia for its cathartic properties. The ripe berries and unripe berries yield dyes of varying colors that were widely used for woolens in Europe.

Buckthorn Bark (Frangula alnus) and Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn) are similar species of the Buckthorn family, with similar properties (although Frangula alnus/Rhamnus frangula is considered milder in its cathartic actions than its cousin) and is distinguished by its lack of thorns. Another species is the California Buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana, better known as Cascara Sagrada, which has somewhat overshadowed its cousin, Buckthorn Bark, but its actions are considered similar.

Some of the constituents in Buckthorn Bark include a crystalline glucoside (frangulin), anthraquinones (including emodin, Aloe-emodin, rhamnicoside, frangula-emodin, alaterin, chrysophanol, rein, etc.) flavonoid glycosides, resins and tannic acid.

Beneficial Uses:
Buckthorn Bark is mainly used as an aperient that acts as a laxative without the harsh purging actions often associated with laxatives. It is mild, but effectively causes rapid evacuation of the bowels. The basis of the herb's efficacy is thought to be the presence of anthraquinones - either free (i.e., aloe-emodin) that remain in the intestines and irritate the intestinal wall to stimulate elimination - or as sugar derivatives (glycosides), which are absorbed into the intestines and bloodstream and go on to stimulate the nerve center in the lower part of the intestine. As such, Buckthorn Bark is said to be effective in cases of chronic constipation and atonic constipation, which is caused by inadequate intake of fluids, poor diet, or overuse of purgatives that result in loss of natural reflexes. It is also thought to ease abdominal bloating.

The tannins in Buckthorn Bark are believed to have astringent properties and have been used to treat hemorrhoids.

Buckthorn Bark is believed to stimulate the liver and gallbladder. The herb is said to be beneficial for treating liver disorders, such as jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. It is also thought to help a sluggish gallbladder by increasing the flow of bile and has been said to help the body rid itself of gallstones.

Used externally, Buckthorn Bark is considered an antiseptic that alleviates gum disease and scalp infestation.