Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangulaL. (commonly referred to as Glossy Buckthorn, Alder Buckthorn, Breaking Buckthorn, Frangula, Arrow Wood, Persian Berries, Black Alder Bark and Black Dogwood) is a tall deciduous shrub native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It is an invasive species in North America, invading forests in the Northeastern and wetlands and moist forest in the Midwestern United States, and is expected to continue to expand its North American range with time.

Rhamnus frangulais a tall deciduous shrub, sometimes referred to as a small tree that grows up to 6 m (20 ft) tall and 4.5 m (15 ft) wide. Leaves are ovate, 4-5'' long by 3-4'' wide, arranged oppositely or whorled on stem. The flowers are small, greenish-white, hermaphroditic, and insect pollinated, flowering in mid-June in New Hampshire. Fruit is small black berries that drop in late summer to early fall. Individual plants can produce as many as 400-1800 fruits with three seeds each. Seeds are dispersed by birds and mice, but many seeds simply fall to the ground underneath the parent, creating a dense local population.

Active Ingredients:

Anthraquinone glycosides, especially glucofrangulins A and B (bis-glycosides with glucose and rhamnose (= A) and apiose (= B) and frangulins A and B (monoglycosides containing only apiose): further, frangula-emodin, 8-O-glucoside. In the fresh bark, the glucofrangulins occur mainly in the genuine reduced anthrone and dianthrone glycoside forms (especially frangula-emodin anthrone as rhamnoside/glucoside). On storage (for at least one year) or artificial aging they are converted to the oxidized forms; at the same time the glucofrangulins are partly decomposed to the franguilns or frangula-emodin 8-O-glucoside and to the aglycone frangula-emodin. Also contains physcion and chrysophanol in both free and monoglycosidic forms. In addition there are the steam-volatile 2-acetyl-1, 8-dihydronaphthalene and its 8-O-glucoside. Tannins as well as small amounts of peptide alkaloids (frangulanin, franganin) are also present. The occurrence of bitter substances and saponins is disputed.

The Buckthorn Bark Extract used in dietary supplements is derived from the bark of the stem and branches of the plantRhamnus frangulaL. (stored for at least one year).

Benefits

• Mild Laxative Effects
•Treating Annual Fissures
• Treating Constipation
• Treating Hemorrhoids
• Cellular Regeneration Effects
•Detoxifying Effects
•Cleaning Effects
•Pre and Post Operative Cleansing Effects