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Buckthorn bark is derived from a shrub called the alder buckthorn, which is native to Europe and Asia. Since the seventeenth century, buckthorn bark has been used as a laxative, a use it is still known for today. It was also an ingredient in a folk medicine cancer cure, and some tests have shown that derivatives of substances called anthraquinone found in buckthorn may have cancer-fighting properties. However, there are no scientific studies that can verify buckthorn’s anticancer properties. Other active ingredients in the herb, 1,8-dihydroxy-anthracene derivatives, have an effect on the nerves in the intestinal tract. Buckthorn bark is sometimes an ingredient in combination herbal remedies, including those that are marketed for prostate health, but the value of buckthorn for prostate health in these supplements is uncertain.
If you want to use buckthorn as a laxative or for hemorrhoids, take 15 to 30 drops of the liquid extract or 1 or 2 capsules at bedtime. Do not use this herb for longer than seven days. Side effects may include intestinal cramping, especially if you take too large a dose. Overuse of this herb may cause a sluggish intestinal tract and constipation, and it can also cause a deficiency of potassium. Avoid buckthorn if you have colitis or Crohn’s disease. (Whole Health Med)
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