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Dietary supplement

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by TerraVita

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor is a dietary supplement by TerraVita with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, bowel cleansing before procedures, hemorrhoids.Based on those ingredients, 904 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Cascara Sagrada Glycerite Liquid Extract, Buckthorn Glycerite Liquid Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (0.13 mL) without saying how much of each component you get.

This liquid contains two active herbal extracts: cascara sagrada and buckthorn (sea buckthorn), both in glycerite form. Cascara sagrada is a traditional stimulant laxative — it works by encouraging bowel contractions.

Buckthorn is included here as sea buckthorn extract, which has different uses than cascara and is thought to support skin and general wellness. The inactive ingredients are glycerin (the liquid base) and mint flavor.

Does it work?

Leans against
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Constipation and bowel health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Bowel preparation, Constipation, Bowel regularity, Digestive support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cascara Sagrada is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Bowel preparation (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cascara Sagrada is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation.

For cascara sagrada, we have mixed data. It's rated possibly ineffective for bowel prep before procedures, and we don't have enough evidence to rate it for everyday constipation.

Buckthorn (sea buckthorn) is rated possibly effective for burns, but the evidence isn't established for skin aging, eczema, or cholesterol — and we hold no data on how well this particular formula works for any of these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cascara Sagrada Sea Buckthorn

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Short-term use of cascara sagrada is generally well tolerated, though mild cramping and abdominal discomfort are common. The real concern is long-term daily use — it can cause serious issues including liver damage, bleeding in the urine, and muscle wasting.

Fresh or improperly aged cascara can trigger severe vomiting. Buckthorn is generally well tolerated as a food, but supplement safety at the doses used here hasn't been fully studied; high doses can stain skin yellow.

The facts advise against cascara during pregnancy and rate it possibly unsafe while breastfeeding because active compounds may pass into breast milk. For buckthorn, there isn't enough reliable data on safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cascara Sagrada Sea Buckthorn

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Sea Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 905 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you use a water pill (diuretic), corticosteroid, the heart drug digoxin, blood thinners like warfarin, antiplatelet drugs like aspirin, or blood pressure medication. You should also avoid combining it with other stimulant laxatives.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product is a stimulant laxative best used short-term for occasional constipation, not as a daily habit. If you take any blood pressure medication, water pill, heart medication (especially digoxin), corticosteroid, or blood thinner, you need to check with us or your pharmacist before starting.

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 22, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor, straight from the product label.

Brand TerraVita
Barcode (UPC) 064435222215
Net contents 1 Fluid Ounce(s); 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2023
DSLD ID 283593
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
25 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
40 Drop(s)
Servings per container
227
UPC/BARCODE
064435222215
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend0.13 mL--
Cascara Sagrada Glycerite Liquid Extract0 NP--
Buckthorn Glycerite Liquid Extract0 NP--

Other ingredients: Glycerin, Mint Flavor

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2018 TerraVita - Distributed by ZooScape LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Formula

Glycerite liquid extract (1:5)

Formulation

Alcohol free

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 25-40 drops of extract in a small amount of warm water 3-4 times daily. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Keep away from children.

Do not use if safety seal around cap is broken or missing.

See for yourself

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size25 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container227 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Other (inactive) ingredients: Glycerin, Mint Flavor. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
904Drugs
341 Moderate 563 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Cascara Sagrada Glycerite Liquid Extract6 drug types · 745 drugs

Corticosteroids

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with corticosteroids.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might cause hypokalemia, potentially increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with diuretic drugs.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects, and long-term use has been associated with hypokalemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might have additive adverse effects when taken with stimulant laxatives.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects and might compound fluid and electrolyte losses when taken with stimulant laxatives.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Cascara sagrada has stimulant laxative effects. In some people, cascara sagrada can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin, increase international normalized ratio (INR), and increase the risk of bleeding.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, cascara sagrada might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research suggests that cascara sagrada can induce CYP3A4 enzymes, albeit to a much lower degree than rifampin, a known CYP3A4 inducer.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Buckthorn Glycerite Liquid Extract2 drug types · 289 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, sea buckthorn may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Clinical research suggests that sea buckthorn fruit extracts can inhibit platelet aggregation and adhesion to collagen and fibrinogen.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking sea buckthorn with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Taking sea buckthorn appears to reduce blood pressure in some patients.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor, from the product label.

TerraVita

See all TerraVita products
Name
ZooScape LLC
Phone Number
844-449-0444
Web Address
www.ZooScape.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita: Common Questions

Does Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor by TerraVita interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor has a known interaction with 904 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or nursing?
No — the facts advise against cascara sagrada during pregnancy and rate it possibly unsafe while breastfeeding because active compounds may pass into breast milk. For buckthorn, there isn't enough reliable data on safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before use.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild abdominal discomfort and cramps are typical when you first use cascara sagrada. With buckthorn, high doses may cause yellow staining of the skin, and topical use can cause dryness, redness, or rash in a small number of people.
Is this safe for long-term daily use?
No. While short-term use is generally tolerated, long-term daily use of cascara sagrada carries real risks, including liver damage, blood in the urine, and muscle wasting. The facts caution against prolonged use.
Will this help my constipation?
Cascara sagrada is a stimulant laxative, but the evidence for constipation is insufficient — we don't have enough data to rate how well it works for everyday use. It is rated possibly ineffective for bowel prep. Talk with your pharmacist about what might work better for your situation.
What is buckthorn in this product for?
Buckthorn (sea buckthorn) in this formula is included as a general wellness ingredient. The evidence supports its use possibly effective for burns, but we hold no data on effectiveness for the other uses claimed in marketing materials.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cascara Sagrada & Buckthorn Mint Flavor's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 16 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Cascara Sagrada 9 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  5. Nusko G, Schneider B, Schneider I, et al. Anthranoid laxative use is not a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia: results of a prospective case control study. Gut 2000;46:651-5. PubMed
  6. Nadir A, Reddy D, Van Thiel DH. Cascara-sagrada induced intrahepatic cholestasis causing portal hypertension: case report and review of herbal hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol 2000;95:3634-7. PubMed
  7. Nakasone ES, Tokeshi J. A serendipitous find: a case of cholangiocarcinoma identified incidentally after acute liver injury due to cascara sagrada ingestion. Hawaii J Med Public Health 2015;74(6):200-2.
  8. Cirillo C, Capasso R. Constipation and botanical medicines: an overview. Phytother Res 2015;29(10):1488-93. PubMed
  9. Mazzari ALDA, Lacerda MG, Milton FA, et al. In vitro effects of European and Latin-American medicinal plants in CYP3A4 gene expression, glutathione levels, and P-glycoprotein activity. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:826395. PubMed

See these in context on the Cascara Sagrada monograph →

Sea Buckthorn 7 references
  1. Johansson AK, Korte H, Yang B, et al. Sea buckthorn berry oil inhibits platelet aggregation. J Nutr Biochem 2000;11:491-5.. PubMed
  2. Grad, S. C., Muresan, I., and Dumitrascu, D. L. Generalized yellow skin caused by high intake of sea buckthorn. Forsch.Komplementmed. 2012;19(3):153-156. PubMed
  3. Vlasov, V. V. [Hippophae oil in the treatment of superficial skin burns]. Vestn.Dermatol Venerol. 1970;44(6):69-72.
  4. Chang BB, Wang F Xu TY Zhang QQ He J Zhang XJ Li J. Total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides L. for essential hypertension: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. 2009;9(11):1207-1213. DOI
  5. Olas B, Kontek B, Szczesna M, et al. Inhibition of blood platelet adhesion by phenolics rich fraction of Hippophae rhamnoides L. fruits. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017;68(2):223-9.
  6. Larmo P, Järvinen R, Laihia J, et al. Effects of a sea buckthorn oil spray emulsion on dry eye. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2019;42(4):428-433. PubMed
  7. De Seta F, Caruso S, Di Lorenzo G, Romano F, Mirandola M, Nappi RE. Efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel for the treatment of symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Ma PubMed

See these in context on the Sea Buckthorn monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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