Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana):

Therapeutic actions:

Laxative. (Bone, 2003, p. 127)

Phytochemical constituents that enhance these:

• Aloe emodin, aloins, anthraquinone glycosides, cascarosides, chrysophanol, deoxyaloins, emodin, hydroxyanthracene derivatives, O-glycosides, tannin, volatile oil. (Mills, 1994. p. 53) (Bone, 2003, p. 129)

Supporting evidence:

Laxative effects have been shown in multiple studies. The hydroxyanthracene derivatives are carried to the large intestine where they are metabolised by intestinal flora to release the active constituents. Here they stimulate intestinal motility and fluid accumulation. (Bone, 2003, p. 129)