Category: Pharmacognosy

Historically, anthraquinone-containing plants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, most notably as potent stimulant laxatives. The presence of these compounds, which are aromatic organic compounds, explains the use of certain herbs for their therapeutic effects. This guide explores which herbs contain anthraquinone and delves into their mechanisms and cautions for responsible use.

The dried bark of the *Rhamnus purshiana* tree, known as cascara, has been used for centuries as a natural laxative. The efficacy of cascara is attributed to a complex mixture of compounds, primarily anthraquinone glycosides that are unique to this potent herbal medicine.

Did you know that the common culinary spice nutmeg is derived from the dried seed kernel of the evergreen tree *Myristica fragrans*, functioning as a potent crude drug with a long history in traditional medicine? This tropical native of Indonesia was historically a valuable commodity due to its complex phytochemicals, which contribute to its diverse therapeutic applications and considerable potential for toxicity.