Rhamni purshinae cortex

Phytotherapeutically used bark of the American buckthorn.

HMPC monograph: well-established use: Internal: short-term treatment of constipation, 1 week
ESCOP monograph: short-term treatment of constipation.
Commission e-monograph: constipation

Efficacy-determining ingredients: numerous hydroxyanthracene glycosides, especially of the aloe emodin type, as well as glycosides of emodin (of which 80-90% are C-glycosides of the aloe type, so-called cascarosides); also tanning agents(tannins) According to ph.

Laxative, anti-absorptive.

Indication (Committee E): Constipation

20-30mg hydroxyanthracene derivatives calculated as cascaroside A. Duration of intake 1-2 weeks.

Contraindications: Ileus, acute inflammatory bowel disease, unclear abdominal pain

Tea: Per cup, add a teaspoon of the dried, crushed rind to cold water and leave to infuse overnight. Bring the tea to the boil briefly before drinking.

Facial mask (seborrhoeic skin): Mix a handful of black alder bark with one litre of water and boil for half an hour. Apply a compress with the liquid on the soap-cleaned skin of the face for several minutes.

Laxative Stada®, Antiviscosin® Tea N, Dr. Klinger's Laxative and Digestive Tea, Fugacid® Uric Acid Tea, Skin and Blood Cleansing Tea, Heumann Laxative Solubilax, Rheumatism Tea Stada®, Röwo-714 AdipoRö-Plex medicinal tea, Scillase®

Not for children <12 years

1. Koyama J et al.(2001) Inhibitory effects of anthraquinones and bianthraquinones on Epstein-Barr virus activation. Cancer Lett 170:15-18.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/faulbaum.php
3. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-rhamnus-purshiana-dc-cortex-revision-1_en.pdf