Human colons are the large bowel in our system. This is the digestive tract's last portion, also known as the gastrointestinal tract. Our colon begins at the last part of our small intestines then ends in our rectum to the anus. The main function of a colon is to stock up food waste, absorbs water and other fluids in the body before it becomes a waste that should be eliminated in the form of a stool.

That is the main function of a colon system. But there are times when colons go wrong causing a very bad constipation. So what are the first measures to prevent constipation? Constipation can lead to hemorrhoids. The best way to prevent it is to clean the colons. There is the so called cascara sagrada for cleaning the colon.

Cascara sagrada has many alternative names such as California buckthorn, rhammus purshiana or sacred bark. The term cascara sagrada means Spanish's sacred bark. Cascara Sagrada went down in history as a natural herb used by the Native Americans.

Cascara sagrada has anthroquinones, a compound that contains natural laxative. Anthroquinones can cause contractions in our colons, this activity is called peristalsis. Peristalsis is the reason why there is an urge for our bowel movement.

This herb grows in British Columbia until Washington State. The cascara sagrada's bark is ready for collecting during summer and early spring. The bark is then peeled. Afterwards the bark will be dried and aged at least for about a year. Aging of cascara sagrada's bark is necessary since the fresh bark tastes very bitter and if one will use it directly after peeling from the wood it can cause severe vomiting and intestinal pains.

The herb cascara sagrada is a natural laxative. It is responsible for taking away everything in our colon. This just means that it helps in the regular stool function. Also it conditions muscles in our intestinal tract. The good thing about this herb is that it will not make you dependent on it for your regular bowel movement; it actually aids and strengthens our body's normal function even if one will stop taking it.

The health benefit of casacara sagrada is that it cleanses our colons. When the cleansing takes place we can control constipation and even treat anal fissures and hemorrhoids. It is such a mild laxative, elderly people with chronic constipation can make use of it. The herb comes in tablet form, capsule or dried bark and liquid extracts.

The following are the safety tips when taking cascara sagrada.

- You can take 300 mg capsule in the evening. Usually the laxative effect may occur from six to eight hours after cascara capsule is taken.

- When taking any laxative, always drink lots of water.

- Do not use it more than seven days. Always consult your doctor for proper dosage.

- Pregnant woman are prohibited to use this herb and the children as well.

- The liquid form of cascara sagrada is kind of bitter, so it's required to put a sweetener to it.

- Eat lots of fiber rich food and exercise regularly; this could help the laxative too to stimulate the normal bowel movement.

Cascara sagrada is the answer for some chronic constipation that could lead to hemorrhoids. It passed the laboratory tests for safety use. This is a natural colon cleanser. It is safe, effective and very easy to use. Just always make sure that you get the proper dosage. With cascara sagrada, colons are cleansed and definitely no more pains from constipation. Feel free and light with the natural herb, cascara sagrada.