Contraindications

1) Avoid with cases of intestinal inflammatory diseases (appendicitis, colitis, irritable bowel, intestinal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) due to the effects of the anthroquinone cascarosides which are known to further irritate and inflame these conditions. E
2) Do not use this herb during pregnancy due to the uterine stimulate action, and to the mutagenic and genotoxic anthraquinones. E
3) Do not use during lactation due to the secretion of the anthraquinones via milk with potentially genotoxic components.
4) Avoid use during menstruation due to the possible stimulation of endometrial activity. E S
5) Avoid where there is diarrhoea due to the increased hydration of the stools due to cascarosides. E
6) Do not use with weak or debilitated people due to the loss of water and electrolytes.
7) Do not use with children under the age of 12 due to loss of water and electrolytes.
8) Avoid with pain of unknown origin due to the possibility of rupturing inflamed viscous (appendix) caused by increased peristalsis. E
9) Do not use this herb where there is intestinal obstruction and stenosis, atony or abdominal pain of unknown origin. ESCOP
10) Do not use for more that 10 days due to loss of electrolytes and because of possible damage to the intestinal muscle. E
11) Ensure that source is from aged bark as recent bark less than 1 year old contains anthrones which may cause gastrointestinal upset. E
11) Overuse of this herb may lead to potassium loss causing increased toxicity of cardio glycosides.
12) Care should be taken when combining with this herb any oral medication, due to the decrease in transit time within the bowels reducing the rate of absorption.
13) Avoid with diuretic, which may aggravate potassium loss.

The information contained in these pages is an indication of possible contraindications, but if you are at all concerned about any herb and its suitability for personal use please contact a herbal practitioner in your area or contact us.