Buckthorn
Natural Healing Herbs
Buckthorn is a natural healing herb that has been used in natural remedies for many years. It does have a number of possible side effects and should be used with caution. Let's look at it's medicinal uses.
Other Names
This herb comes in many varieties. The most well known are Common or Purging, also called Highwaythorn or Waythorn, Alder, also called Black Dogwood or Frangula Bark, Californian, also called Sacred Bark or Cascara Sagrada, and th sea variety also called Sallow Thorn. Sallow Thorn has orange berries and is poisonous.
Appearance
It is a shrub that grows to about 6 to 12 feet tall. It has many branches, glossy leaves and pea sized black berries. Some varieties of the shrub have more a more tree-like appearance.
Origins
It can be found in North Africa, Europe and North Asia.
Part Used
The berries of the bush are picked in season and dried or used to make a syrup. The bark can also be dried and used in medicines.
Medicinal Uses
It can be used as a skin astringent. It can also be used to treat constipation.
You can by this herb and many others at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Side Effects and Warnings
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- dehydration
- diarrhea
You should not take this herb if you are pregnant or nursing. You also shouldn't take it if you are taking any prescription drugs. Don't give it to children. Don't use it if you have irratiable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or other digestive disorders.
If you found this information useful, check out my complete listing of herbs at my Herb Index. You can find a listing of ailments and their natural treatments on my Free Home Remedies page.
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