Sacred Cascara, #cascarasagrada Cascara sagrada
Frangula betulifolia (Rhamnaceae) Sacred Cascara is a traditional remedio growing wild in the south west pine oak woodland forest. Also known as buckthorn.
Note the pointed leaf, with a prominent center vein, more prominent on underside. The leaves are large almost to palm size and soft, feathery to the touch in Autumn. Deciduous leaves turn from deep green to yellow. Here a perennial woody shrub 1m -3m tall, 3-9 feet tall. Growing as an understory plant in oak/ponderosa pine woodland at 7500 ft elevation.
Moist canyons, stream banks, rocky slopes, cliff bases, ledges, ridges, roadsides, deciduous and mixed woodlands.The conspicuous round, drupe seed fruits, turn from red to dark purple. It is found native in the southwest through New Mexico, Arizona, into Mexico.
The upper twig branches appear reddish, alternate in a random, wiry, thicket growth. Later the branch bark is dark grey mottled black, flexible. It was used by the Conquistadores in New Spain, New Mexico, and several now ancient, Spanish colonial texts document its usage. Used on Turtle Island since 1550 at least 450 years.
However before using any medicinal plant identify it with an herbalist and consult a licensed health practitioner before use. The bark is used, however bark must be dry and aged and processed BEFORE use.
It is used for constipation as tea. It stimulates peristalsis in the lower, mid and upper burner. Less griping than senna or aloe, it contains similar anthraquinones. 2nd week November 7500ft south west
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