Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is a shrub or small tree native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Its name means 'sacred bark,' and it has been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices by Indigenous peoples.
Historically, Cascara Sagrada bark was widely used as a natural stimulant laxative to support bowel movements. It is a very potent herb and is sold by us as a botanical food product only, not for therapeutic use.
Fresh Cascara Sagrada bark is very harsh and can cause severe gastrointestinal cramping and vomiting. The bark must be aged for at least one year. This aging process allows compounds (anthrones) to break down, resulting in a gentler (though still potent) botanical.
No, they are completely different and should not be confused. Cascara Sagrada is the 'bark' of the Rhamnus purshiana tree. 'Cascara' (coffee cherry tea) is the dried 'fruit husk' of the coffee plant and is used as a caffeinated beverage.
Cascara Sagrada is renowned for its extremely strong, pungent, and bitter taste. It is one of the most bitter herbs used in traditional herbalism. Due to this flavour, it is almost always sweetened or blended with other herbs like licorice or ginger.
It is traditionally prepared as a decoction, not a simple tea infusion. The bark pieces are added to cold water, brought to a slow simmer (never a rolling boil), and steeped for 10-20 minutes before being strained.
