Buckthorn has a wide distribution in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
In North America, however, where it is now naturalized, it is considered
an invasive species, especially in the eastern and central regions of
the United States. In fact, the sale or import of the seedlings of this
species is specifically prohibited in Minnesota and Illinois.
The wood of this shrub is used to make fuses and gunpowder and, at one
time, to make the forms used by shoemakers. Buckthorn bark is harvested in
summer and is then aged or heat-treated before it's ready for
consumption. This process breaks down the anthrone chemicals in the bark
and its action from strongly purgative to laxative. The bark is also
used to produce dyes for wool and other textiles. These traditional uses
of buckthorn bark give rise to additional alternative names, such as
purging buckthorn and dyer’s buckthorn.
Although buckthorn bark can be prepared as tea, it is more commonly
tinctured or encapsulated due to its bitter taste.
