Cascara Sagrada
Frangula purshiana
30 seeds
Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is native deciduous shrub found from northern California to British Columbia and east to the Rocky Mountains in Montana. It is often found along streams in the mixed deciduous-coniferous forests and valleys, and in moist montane forests.
Spanish conquerors exploring the Pacific Northwest in the 1600s came across many Native peoples using the bark of Frangula purshiana as a laxative. They gave it the name "sacred bark" (cáscara sagrada) in honor of its effectiveness.
By 1877 the U.S. pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis was producing Cascara preparations, and soon afterwards Cascara products were being exported overseas to European markets.
In 1999, cascara made up more than 20% of the national laxative market in the U.S., with an estimated value of $400 million. Cascara was found in more drug preparations than any other natural product in North America and is believed to be the most widely used cathartic in the world.
The explosion of the Cascara industry caused great damage to native populations during the 1900s, because of overharvesting.
Propagation of Cascara from seed is usually successful, although germination takes a while. The seeds are best sown in fall in a cold frame, 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Seedlings can be transferred to their permanent location the following spring. Stored seed requires 1-3 months of cold stratification. Cascara Sagrada tolerates wet to dry soils and is very tolerant of shady conditions.
Frangula purshiana
30 seeds
Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is native deciduous shrub found from northern California to British Columbia and east to the Rocky Mountains in Montana. It is often found along streams in the mixed deciduous-coniferous forests and valleys, and in moist montane forests.
Spanish conquerors exploring the Pacific Northwest in the 1600s came across many Native peoples using the bark of Frangula purshiana as a laxative. They gave it the name "sacred bark" (cáscara sagrada) in honor of its effectiveness.
By 1877 the U.S. pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis was producing Cascara preparations, and soon afterwards Cascara products were being exported overseas to European markets.
In 1999, cascara made up more than 20% of the national laxative market in the U.S., with an estimated value of $400 million. Cascara was found in more drug preparations than any other natural product in North America and is believed to be the most widely used cathartic in the world.
The explosion of the Cascara industry caused great damage to native populations during the 1900s, because of overharvesting.
Propagation of Cascara from seed is usually successful, although germination takes a while. The seeds are best sown in fall in a cold frame, 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Seedlings can be transferred to their permanent location the following spring. Stored seed requires 1-3 months of cold stratification. Cascara Sagrada tolerates wet to dry soils and is very tolerant of shady conditions.
Frangula purshiana
30 seeds
Cascara Sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is native deciduous shrub found from northern California to British Columbia and east to the Rocky Mountains in Montana. It is often found along streams in the mixed deciduous-coniferous forests and valleys, and in moist montane forests.
Spanish conquerors exploring the Pacific Northwest in the 1600s came across many Native peoples using the bark of Frangula purshiana as a laxative. They gave it the name "sacred bark" (cáscara sagrada) in honor of its effectiveness.
By 1877 the U.S. pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis was producing Cascara preparations, and soon afterwards Cascara products were being exported overseas to European markets.
In 1999, cascara made up more than 20% of the national laxative market in the U.S., with an estimated value of $400 million. Cascara was found in more drug preparations than any other natural product in North America and is believed to be the most widely used cathartic in the world.
The explosion of the Cascara industry caused great damage to native populations during the 1900s, because of overharvesting.
Propagation of Cascara from seed is usually successful, although germination takes a while. The seeds are best sown in fall in a cold frame, 1/2 inch deep and 4 inches apart. Seedlings can be transferred to their permanent location the following spring. Stored seed requires 1-3 months of cold stratification. Cascara Sagrada tolerates wet to dry soils and is very tolerant of shady conditions.