ALDER BUCKTHORN Overview Information
Alder buckthorn is a plant. The aged or heated bark of the plant is used to make medicine. Don’t confuse alder buckthorn with European buckthorn.
Alder buckthorn is used as a laxative, as a tonic, and as an ingredient in the Hoxsey cancer formula.
How does it work?
Alder buckthorn bark contains chemicals that work as a laxative by stimulating the intestines.
ALDER BUCKTHORN Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Effective for:
- Treating constipation. Alder buckthorn seems to work about as well as cascara.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Treating cancer.
- Other conditions.
ALDER BUCKTHORN Side Effects & Safety
Alder buckthorn is safe for most adults when used for less than 8 days. Using alder buckthorn for more than 8 days can be UNSAFE because it might cause low potassium; heart problems; muscle weakness; and blood problems, including blood in the urine. Some people get uncomfortable cramps from alder buckthorn. If you experience diarrhea or watery stools while using alder buckthorn, stop taking it.
The fresh bark can cause severe vomiting. Make sure you are using a bark product that is at least one year old or has been heat processed.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE to use alder buckthorn during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid using it.Children: Alder buckthorn is UNSAFE for children younger than 12 years of age.
Intestinal disorders, including intestinal blockage, appendicitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or ulcerative colitis: Don’t use alder buckthorn if you have any of these conditions.
Stomach pain: Don’t use alder buckthorn if you have any stomach pain.
Diarrhea: Don’t use alder buckthorn if you have diarrhea.
ALDER BUCKTHORN Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Alder buckthorn is a type of laxative that might also decrease potassium in the body. Taking alder buckthorn along with some medications for inflammation might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Alder buckthorn is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
- Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Alder buckthorn is a laxative. Laxatives can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs. Decreasing how much medicine your body absorbs can decrease the effectiveness of your medication.
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Alder buckthorn is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Taking alder buckthorn along with other stimulant laxatives could speed up the bowels too much and cause dehydration and low minerals in the body.
Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot) and others. - Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Alder buckthorn can work as a laxative. In some people alder buckthorn can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not to take excessive amounts of alder buckthorn.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with ALDER BUCKTHORN
Alder buckthorn is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking alder buckthorn along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
ALDER BUCKTHORN Dosing
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For constipation: the typical dose of alder buckthorn is 0.5-2.5 grams of the dried bark. Take only the amount of bark needed to produce a soft stool. Alder buckthorn is also taken as a tea. The tea is prepared by steeping 2 grams of the herb in 150 mL of boiling water for 5-10 minutes and then straining. Alder buckthorn is also available as a liquid extract. The common dose of the liquid extract: (1:1 in 25% alcohol) is 2-5 mL three times daily. This preparation should be used only if diet change and bulk-forming laxatives don't work. Don't use the extract for more than seven to ten days.
