Description: Buckthorn is a shrub or small tree growing up to 25 feet tall. Its slender branches are tipped with sharp spines. Opposite, elliptical or oval, pointed, sharp-toothed leaves, about 1-3 inches long, are dark green and smooth with visible lateral veins. Clusters of greenish flowers (May-June) produce berrylike fruits that contain three or four seeds and turn black when ripe. The fruit of buckthorn should be collected in September and October.

Buckthorn is used as a mild laxative, relieving dropsy, liver congestion, constipation, hemorrhoids, colic and obesity. It is milder than its near relative cascara. It is safe to use for chronic constipation over an extended period.It is frequently added to alterative formulas for its mild laxative effects, helping to carry the blood and liver toxions out of the body with greater efficiency. The berries, made into a syrup with honey or sugar, allspice and ginger, are one of the finest laxatives to give to children. It is also good to use for ulcerative colitis and acute appendicitis.

Dose: one teaspoon of the bark in one half cup of cool water, let stand 12 hours before drinking; tincture, 5-20 drops.
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the fruit and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk in the morning or evening as it takes about 12 hours to be effective. The seeds, about 10, can also be chewed before eating in the morning. If the dose is too high, it might cause extreme diarrhea and possibly vomiting.

Buckthorn is used for: constipation

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