CASCARA BARK

    Rhamnus purshiana: Rhamnaceae



    THE HERB

    PART USED: Bark, collected in Spring or early summer and stored at least one year.

    PLANET: Mercury ELEMENT: Air

    TASTE: bitter VIPAKA: pungent
    WARMTH: cooling DOSHAS: V+P-K-

    MERIDIANS: Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Colon

    ACTIONS: As a laxative, Cascara stimulates orchestatrated movements of the muscles of the colon; the advantage over most other laxatives is that Cascara will not produce dependence with prolonged usage. tonic, astringent, emetic, nervine.

    INDICATIONS: habitual constipation, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, digestive complaints, poor apetite due to debility, jaundice.

    PRECAUTIONS: if not stored for at least one year, can cause extreme griping pains.

    CONSTITUENTS: up to 10% anthroquinones including CASCAROSIDES A, B, C, & D, barbaloin, emodin, oxanthrone, chrysophanol, palmidin; free aglycones, starch, fat, glucose, volatile oil, malic and tannic acids.

    PREPARATION AND USE:
    -powder: 1-2.5 grams daily
    -tincture
    -standard extract

    USE IN MAGIC: Money, Legal Matters, Protection
    -Sprinkle an infusion around your home before going to court; it will help you win your case.
    -used in money spells
    -used in amulets for protection against evil and hexes

    USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
    -enables one to let go of fixed and outmoded ideas
    -enables one to fully absorb experience without absorbing the toxins that can accumulate if the flow of experience stagnates

    "I meet my needs without waste and relinquish what no longer serves me."



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