Frangulae cortex

Medicinally used dried bark of the branches and younger trunks of Franula alnus the fine-leaved alder, monogrpahized in Ph.Eur.2.

Efficacy determining ingredients: numerous hydroxyanthracene glycosides, especially of the aloe emodin type, as well as glycosides of emodin (of which 80-90% are C-glycosides of the aloe type, so-called cascarosides); furthermore frangulin A and frangulin B and saponins, more rarely also bitter substances andtannins.

Laxative, anti-absorptive.

Indication: chronic constipation,

0.5-2.0g as 10% decoction 20.0g. Duration of the intake 1-2 weeks.

The fresh drug has emetic effect (fresh bark contains anthrones and dianthrones which are no longer present in deposited bark).

Contraindications: Ileus, acute inflammatory bowel disease, unclear abdominal pain

Not for children <12 years

1. Brkanac SR et al (2015) Toxicity and antioxidant capacity of Frangula alnus Mill. bark and its activeemodin. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 73:923-929.
2. Demuth G et al,(1978) Investigations on anthraquinonglycosides of Rhamnus species, V Emodin-8-O-beta-gentiobioside,e a new O-glycoside from Rhamnus frangula. Planta Med 33:53-56.
3. Koyama J et al (2001) Inhibitory effects of anthraquinones and bianthraquinones on Epstein-Barr virus activation. Cancer Lett 170:15-18.
4. Sadowska B et al (2014) Vaccinium myrtillus leaves and Frangula alnus bark derived extracts as potential antistaphylococcal agents. Acta Biochim Pol 61:163-169.