Buckthorn – Rhamnus frangula

Description

Because phenolic compounds in the bark can cause vomiting, avoid high doses or long-term use. Do not use during pregnancy or if there is a history of Crohn?s disease. powerful laxative action, it should not be used by people with chronic gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers, colitis, or hemorrhoids. Pregnant women should not take buckthorn. Alder Buckthorn is a European shrub native to Asia and Europe that is now distributed throughout North America. It is also known as Black Dogwood because the wood was once used to produce a fine charcoal. The wood was also popular with German gunpowder makers, who dubbed the small tree Pulverholz, which means Powder Wood. Buckthorn bark is used to make a natural yellow dye, which becomes inky black with the addition of iron as a mordant. Prior to use in teas or tisanes, the bark must be aged for one year. While buckthorn bark has a slightly bitter but not unpleasant taste, moderation is advised because it contains the phenolic compound emodin.
Buckthorn bark is harvested from alder buckthorn, a small European tree now naturalized in North America.

Because the bark contains high levels of phenolic compounds it must be dried for a year before use, although ingestion of buckthorn tea or tincture can be toxic in large amounts. However, the bark can be used to make a yellow dye for paper, yarn and other textiles. Used in tea blends and tonics. May also be tinctured in alcohol or encapsulated.