11501

Submitted by admin on Sun, 02/27/2022 - 14:40
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Buckthorn, Alder Buckthorn

  • Botanical Name

    Rhamnus frangula

  • Part Used

    Bark

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    25%

  • Dose

    40 to 100mL weekly

Particularly useful in chronic constipation and as a digestive stimulant.

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Buckthorn and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Buckthorn has been used in traditional European medicine as a laxative and cathartic, and also as a general tonic. 

  • Actions

    Laxative, digestive stimulant, cathartic 

  • Indications

    Constipation (short to medium term use)

  • Energetics

    Cold, bitter

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Contraindicated due to its action on the bowel and potential to trigger uterine contractions.  

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    Long term use or large doses should be avoided. Laxatives in large doses may trigger griping pain and diarrhoea, leading to fluid loss. It should be avoided in cases of intestinal obstruction, dehydration or inflammatory bowel disease.  The bark contains active constituents that, when metabolised, can turn the urine red or orange which is considered transitory and harmless.

  • Drug Interactions

    Caution advised with corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicine), digoxin (cardiac glycoside), diuretics, warfarin (anticoagulant) and stimulant laxatives.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free.

  • Substitutes

    Cascara Sagrada, Rhubarb, Senna, Aloes, Butternut