Cascara

Cascara is a common name for two distinct substances used in health and beverage contexts. In herbal medicine, cascara sagrada refers to the dried bark of the Pacific Northwest shrub Rhamnus purshiana, a member of the buckthorn family. The name cascara sagrada comes from Spanish and means “sacred bark.” The bark has a long history of use as a stimulant laxative. The active constituents are anthraquinone glycosides, including emodin and rhein, which stimulate intestinal peristalsis. It is prepared as a tincture, tablet, or powder and is used to relieve constipation. Use is typically short term; long-term or excessive use can lead to cramping, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and dependence. It is contraindicated in bowel obstruction, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and during pregnancy or lactation; caution is advised in the elderly and for those taking other laxatives or certain medications.

In a culinary context, cascara (also called cascara coffee or coffee cherry cascara) refers to the dried husk of Coffea berries. After the coffee beans are extracted, the remaining fruit pulp and skin are dried and sometimes fermented. The resulting cascara can be brewed like tea, yielding a light, fruity infusion with notes described as raisin, hibiscus, or dried fruit. It typically contains small amounts of caffeine and antioxidant polyphenols, though caffeine levels vary by batch. Cascara beverages are consumed in specialty coffee shops and at home and are distinct from cascara sagrada.

Overall, cascara highlights how one term can refer to both a medicinal laxative derived from a plant and a non-laxative beverage produced from coffee fruit.