cascara sagrada, an herbal product taken from the bark of a tree native to parts of the coast of the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is used for chronic constipation, hepatitis, and gallstones. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Generally regarded as safe for short-term use, it should not be used by those who are hypersensitive to this product, by women who are pregnant or lactating, or by children younger than age 2 until more research is available. Also, it is contraindicated where GI bleeding, obstruction, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, appendicitis, and Crohn’s disease are present.
