Buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula) is a bush that can be found in everglades and groves.

Because it contains glycosides and anthranoids with purgative effect, buckthorn has choleretic actions over the bile and relaxes the intestinal mussels. The fruits contain vitamins, mineral substances and fat acids ant they have an antioxidant, protective and regenerative action.

The herb, administrated as powder or tea, helps in the treatment of chronic and acute constipations. For the treatment of liver insufficiency it is recommended to combine buckthorn with dandelion or artichoke.

It can also be used to treat rheumatism, headaches followed by constipation, allergies and hepatitis. It can also be used for intestinal worms and used as compresses, buckthorn helps treat skin diseases associated with constipation (acne, allergic eczema, psoriasis, infections).

Buckthorn can be consumed as tea, prepared out of one spoon of mashed bark boiled with 250g of water. The decoct is obtained out of one spoon of bark boiled with 250ml of water and the tincture from 20g of bark macerated for 10 days in 100ml of alcohol. The tea must be consumed in the evening, and the decoct or tincture in the morning.

It is not recommended to consume large quantities of buckthorn because it can cause colics, and the consumption of fresh picked herb can cause nausea.