Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Buckthorn (commonly referring to Rhamnus cathartica or Rhamnus frangula) has a long-standing history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially as a laxative. In European herbalism, buckthorn bark or berries were employed to address constipation and promote bowel movements, which, in historical medical paradigms, was thought to assist the "cleansing" of the liver and gall bladder. The rationale was that by stimulating bile flow and purging the intestines, buckthorn could help the gall bladder expel bile and thus support its function. However, modern scientific studies specifically validating buckthorn's efficacy for direct gall bladder support are very limited or lacking. Most clinical data focus on its anthraquinone content (such as emodin and frangulin), which have established laxative effects by stimulating peristalsis and inhibiting water reabsorption in the colon. While increased bile flow can result indirectly from these actions, direct evidence for gall bladder health benefits is minimal. Thus, the use of buckthorn for gall bladder support is justified primarily by tradition rather than robust scientific validation, and caution is warranted due to potential side effects with prolonged use.

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