Buckthorn Bark (Powder)

Buckthorn bark (Rhamnus frangula) is obtained from the bark of the buckthorn, a shrub or small tree native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. Major compounds in Buckthorn bark powder consist of glycosides such as aloe emodin, emodinanthrone, chrysophanol-dianthrone and chrysophanolphys-ciondianthrone.1

Health Benefits

Buckthorn bark may be useful for constipation and for the situations, where softening stool is beneficial, such as: hemorrhoids and post rectal-anal operations.2 It has been suggested in a preclinical study that aloe emodin found in Buckthorn bark powder may have anti-leukemic activity.3

Cautions

Buckthorn bark may cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals.2 Chronic excessive intake may increase risk of potassium deficiency.2

References

  1. van den Berg AJ, Labadie RP. Anthraquinones, Anthrones and Dianthrones in Callus Cultures of Rhamnus frangula and Rhamnus purshiana. Planta Med. 1984 Oct;50(5):449-51. PubMed PMID: 17340351
  2. Buckthorn Bark. American Botanical Council. Expanded E. Accessed June 15, 2015. http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/Buckthornbark.html
  3. Kupchan SM, Karim A. Tumor inhibitors. 114. Aloe emodin: antileukemic principle isolated from Rhamnus frangula L. Lloydia. 1976 Jul-Aug;39(4):223-4. PubMed PMID: 957911.