Product Label Information

• Do not use product when abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting are present unless directed by a doctor.
• If you notice a sudden change in bowel habits that persists over a period of 2 weeks, consult a doctor before using a laxative.
• Rectal bleeding or failure to have a bowel movement after use of a laxative may indicate a serious condition. Discontinue use and consult a physician.
• Laxatives should not be used for a period longer than one week unless directed by a Doctor. Pregnant or nursing women should seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using this product.
• In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a poison control center immediately.
• Keep out of reach of children.

• If cramping of the gastrointestinal tract after single dosing occurs, the dosage should be reduced.
• Heart arrhythmias, nephropathies, edema and accelerated bone deterioration may occur in rare cases.
• Prolonged use of Aloe may lead to pigmentation in the intestinal mucosa, a harmless side effect, which usually reverses upon discontinuation of the drug.
• Prolonged use can lead to tolerance when used in high doses.
• Chronic treatment with high doses of Aloe reduces vasoactive intestinal peptide and somatostatin levels, which may damage enteric nervous tissue.
• Long-term use can also lead to albuminuria and hematuria, hypersensitivity, and loss of electrolytes, particularly potassium ²¹. Loss of potassium paralyzes intestinal muscles.
• Aloe occasionally leads to abdominal pain and cramps.
• The effects of Aloe can cause a feeling of distension.
• Long term use or abuse can lead to diarrhea sometimes with blood; nephritis; weight loss; and heart disturbances.
• Theoretically, concomitant use of aloe with other stimulant laxative herbs may increase the risk of potassium depletion.
• Theoretically, Aloe can reduce drug absorption of some other drug because aloe causes shorter GI transit time.
• Aloe gel products sold for internal consumption might be contaminated with aloe juice latex, which can cause cathartic laxative effects ²².
• Cascara Sagrada: Spasmodic gastrointestinal complaints can occur as a side effect to the drug?s purgative effect. In rare cases, prolonged use may lead to heart arrhythmias, nephropathies, edema, and accelerated bone deterioration.
• Intake of the fresh rind could lead to European cholera, intestinal colic, bloody diarrhea and kidney irritation.
• Long-term use leads to loss of electrolytes, in particular potassium ions. Hyperaldosteronism, albuminuria, hematuria, inhibition of intestinal motility, and muscle weakness may occur.
• Enhancement of cardioactive steroids and antiarrhythmics may also occur as a consequence of hypokalemia (loss of potassium ions) ²¹.
• Chronic use can lead to dependence.
• Theoretically, cascara used concomitantly with other herbs that are stimulant laxatives can increase the risk of potassium depletion.
• Theoretically, cascara can reduce the absorption of some drugs due to the reduced transit time through the GI tract.
• Fresh or improperly aged bark can cause severe vomiting due to the presence of free anthrones ²².
• May pass into breast milk ¹.
• Side effects: Confusion; irregular heartbeat; muscle cramps; pink to red, red to violet or red to brown coloration of alkaline urine; skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow to brown coloration of acid urine.
• Less common side effects: belching; cramping; diarrhea, nausea ².

• Contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, acutely inflamed intestinal diseases (e.g. Chron?s disease, ulcerative colitis), appendicitis and abdominal pain of unknown origin.
• Aloe should not be prescribed to children under 12 years of age.
• The loss of potassium (that can occur with long term use of Aloe) can increase the actions (and toxicity) of cardiac glycosides (such as Lanoxin) and antiarrhythmic drugs.
• There is an increase in the possibility of potassium deficiency when Aloe is used along with thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, licorice and corticosteroids ²¹.
• Contraindicated (in individuals with) hemorrhoids, heart conditions, and kidney disorders.
• Likely unsafe used during pregnancy because Aloe can induce abortions and stimulate menstruation.
• Likely unsafe used during lactation as genotoxic aloe-emodin might pass into milk ²².
• Contraindicated when menstruating (possible stimulation of endometrial activity) ²⁷.
• Cascara: Results slowed if taken with food ¹. Contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction, acutely inflamed intestinal diseases (e.g. colitis, Chron?s disease, irritable bowel), appendicitis and abdominal pain of unknown origin.
• Cascara drug is not to be administered to children under 12 years of age.
• Thiazide diuretics, corticoadrenal steroids, licorice root may potentiate potassium deficiency when used concomitantly with cascara. Loss of potassium may potentiate antiarrhythmic medications and may increase toxicity of digitalis medications.
• Given concomitantly, it can reduce the therapeutic effect of indomethacin (NSAIDS) due to the inhibition of prostaglandin.
• If pregnant or nursing, consult a physician before using ²¹.
• Cascara may pass into breast milk ²⁶.
• Over use of cascara increases the risk of adverse effects of cardiac glycoside drugs such as Lanoxin.
• Potassium depleting diuretics used concomitantly with cascara can increase the risk of potassium depletion ²².

Data Gathering, Research & Reporting
by Carole Engel, Director Of Outreach
? 2004 Fruit-Eze?, Inc.