cascara

Thân thiện

The herbalist measures dried cascara bark for a traditional remedy.

Definition

Noun: 1. A medicinal laxative: The dried bark of a specific North American tree (Rhamnus purshiana or cascara buckthorn), used historically and in some herbal preparations to treat constipation.

Usage

• Cascara is typically prepared as a liquid extract, powder, or in dried form to be used as an herbal remedy.
• It is important to use cascara under guidance, as improper use can lead to side effects.

Examples

• The herbalist recommended a tea made from cascara bark.
• Cascara has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples for its medicinal properties.
• Some over-the-counter laxatives once contained cascara as an active ingredient.

Advanced Usage

• Cascara sagrada: This is the full Spanish name often used, meaning "sacred bark." It emphasizes the historical medicinal value placed on this bark.
  • He purchased some cascara sagrada from the health food store.

Variants and Related Words

• Cascara buckthorn (n): The tree () from which cascara bark is harvested.
• Cascara sagrada (n): A synonym for cascara, directly from Spanish.

Synonyms

• Sacred bark: A direct translation of "cascara sagrada."
• Chittem bark: An older, less common name for the same medicinal bark.

Notes on Meaning

• The word cascara refers specifically to the dried bark used for its laxative effect. It is not a general term for any bark or for the living tree itself (which is called the cascara buckthorn).
• Its use in modern medicine has declined due to the availability of other treatments and concerns about potential side effects with long-term use.

Học thuật

Noun

1. dried bark of the cascara buckthorn used as a laxative

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cascara sagrada
• chittam bark
• chittem bark