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Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Aged buckthorn bark is an ingredient in laxative teas, extracts, and tablets in Europe. It is also added to sunscreens.

The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Buckthorn bark for 'Constipation.'

Contraindications: Intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal inflammation... Children under 12 years of age; pregnancy.'

'Side Effects: In single incidents, cramp-like discomforts of the gastrointestinal tract. These incidents require a dosage reduction. With long-term use/abuse: disturbances of electrolyte balance, especially potassium deficiency, albuminuria and hematuria.'

'Pigment implantation into the intestinal mucosa (pseudomelanosis coli) is harmless and usually reverses upon discontinuation of the drug.... Stimulating laxatives should not be used over an extended period (1 - 2 weeks) without medical advice. Because of insufficient toxicological investigation, this drug should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.'

'Interactions with Other Drugs: With chronic use or in cases of abuse of the drug, a potentiation of cardiac glycosides due to a loss of serum potassium is possible. Also possible is an effect on antiarrhythmic agents. Potassium deficiency can be increased by simultaneous application of thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, or licorice root.'

'Dosage: Cut bark, powder or dried extracts for teas, decoction, cold maceration or elixir. Liquid or solid forms of medication exclusively for oral use. 20 - 30 mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives daily, calculated as glycofrangulin A.'

'The fresh bark contains free anthrone and must be stored for one year or artificially aged by heat and aeration. The use of illegally processed buckthorn bark, e.g., fresh bark, will cause severe vomiting, possibly with spasms.'

Aged Buckthorn's medicinal use as a purgative laxative dates back to at least 1650, when buckthorn berries, which act the same as the bark, first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia.

In the United States, buckthorn was included in the National Formulary as an official drug from 1820 to 1830 and again from 1880 to 1910.

Many Rhamnus species share anthraquinone derivative constituents and provide characteristic laxative actions. These constituents were isolated by botanists early on in the study of plant chemistry. Anthraquinone derivatives and give buckthorn heartwood a bright red-yellow color, used for centuries as a dye for textiles.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Tonic, laxative, cathartic.'

'Dried seasoned bark from one to two years old alone should be used, as the freshly stripped bark acts as an irritant poison on the gastro-intestinal canal. The action of the bark becomes gradually less violent when kept for a length of time and more like that of rhubarb.'

'It is used as a gentle purgative in cases of chronic constipation and is principally given in the form of the fluid extract, in small doses, repeated three or four times daily, a decoction of 1 oz. of the bark in 1 quart of water boiled down to a pint, may also be taken in tablespoonful doses.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'A tincture of the bark, made in the same proportions as that of the berries, may be given in doses of from 6 to 30 drops.'

'Buckthorn berries (Rhamni baccae) are powerfully cathartic; 20 of the recent berries cause brisk, watery purging, with nausea, dryness of the throat, thirst, and tormina. These effects are partly removed by giving the juice (Rhamni succus) in the form of syrup, and which formerly enjoyed much reputation as a hydragogue in gout, rheumatism, and dropsy; at present it is seldom employed in practice, but is occasionally employed as an adjunct to other cathartic and diuretic mixtures.'

Eclectic Materia Medica, 1922: 'The dried bark is purgative only. A remedy for chronic constipation, a dose of 20 drops of the fluidextract, or a fluidrachm of the elixir, being repeated three times a day.'