Buckthorn

Rhamnus cathartica

Buckthorn Common Buckthorn European Buckthorn Purging Buckthorn Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Collection and harvesting

Buckthorn - a shrub or small tree growing up to 25 feet tall. Its slender branches are tipped with sharp spines. Opposite, elliptical or oval, pointed, sharp-toothed leaves, about 1-3 inches long, are dark green and smooth with visible lateral veins. Clusters of greenish flowers (May-June) produce berrylike fruits that contain three or four seeds and turn black when ripe.

As the species name cathartica indicates, buckthorn was long known to be a cathartic, or powerful laxative. The berries are the part of the plant used for this purpose, and they are extremely unpleasant tasting. To make them more palatable, the 16th-century herbalist John Gerard offered a recipe: "It is better to break them and boil them in fat flesh broth without salt, and to give the broth to drink." Gerard added that they would then "purge with ...fewer gripings." In 1650 a syrup of buckthorn was listed in a British pharmacopoeia, and it too included ingredients, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and aniseed, to cut the bitter taste. In the 19th century children in need of a laxative were given buckthorn syrup laced with ginger and sugar.

The fruits, or berries, of buckthorn are recommended in modern herbals as a laxative.

PARTS USED

Fresh or dried fruits.

USES

For centuries buckthorn's purgative action has served herbalists when a strong laxative is needed. Pharmacological evidence supports this medicinal use.
Other medical uses - Toxic shock syndrome.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Introduced from Europe, buckthorn is cultivated and has become naturalized in North America from Quebec to Minnesota, south to Virginia and Missouri.

CONSTITUENTS

Buckthorn contains anthraquinone derivates including rhamnocarthrin; vitamin C.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the fruit and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk in the morning or evening as it takes about 12 hours to be effective. The seeds (about 10) may also be chewed before eating in the morning. If the dose is too high, buckthorn might cause extreme diarrhea and possibly vomiting.
Tincture: take 1- 2ml of the tincture night and morning.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

The fruit of buckthorn should be collected in September and October.