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Herbs & Supplements
Alder Dogwood
Scientific Name: Rhamnus frangula
Other Names: Alder Buckthorn, Arrow Wood, Black Dogwood, Dog Wood, European Buckthorn, Frangula Bark, Glossy Buckthorn
When should I be careful taking it?
Fresh Rhamnus frangula bark should never be taken by mouth. Fresh bark or bark that has not been aged properly contains chemicals, including emodin, that can cause intense and extended vomiting. To be certain that potentially harmful chemicals have been removed, Rhamnus frangula bark must be air-dried for at least one year or aged under controlled heat in special facilities. Individuals should not try to collect and dry Rhamnus frangula on their own.
Rhamnus frangula works by irritating the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. For most individuals, GI irritation is minor. However, it can worsen inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, Rhamnus frangula can complicate blocked bowels. Therefore individuals who have inflammatory bowel conditions or who have ever had bowel blockages should not use Rhamnus frangula.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid taking Rhamnus frangula because not enough is known about how it might affect developing babies and infants.
Rhamnus frangula should not be given to children under 12 years of age.
Precautions
No stimulant laxative, including Rhamnus frangula, should be used for longer than 7 days to 10 days. Chronic use of laxatives may lead to "lazy-bowel syndrome"--a dependence on laxatives to have any bowel movements as the muscles of the stomach and intestines gradually lose the ability to contract without being stimulated by the laxative.
Individuals who have unexplained abdominal or stomach pain may have conditions that could be worsened by Rhamnus frangula. Its use should be avoided by individuals with such pain.
Because Rhamnus frangula can decrease the water content of the body, individuals who use it should be sure to increase their intake of fluids while they are taking it or any other laxative.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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When should I be careful taking it? 
