BT-072 · Rhamnaceae

Buckthorn

Rhamnus petiolaris ve diğer türler

Evidence: TraditionalCaution

Most greens in kilims come not from one dye but from dyeing twice: first buckthorn yellow, then indigo blue.

Other names: Persian berry, dyer’s buckthorn, cehri (Turkish)
Part used: Fruit, bark
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Use: Ritual and shamanic, Healing

Photo: Franz Xaver · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Buckthorn?

Buckthorn (Rhamnus petiolaris ve diğer türler) is a plant of the Rhamnaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: fruit, bark.

What is Buckthorn used for?

Traditional use: The unripe berries give the bright yellow of carpets and kilims; yellow over-dyed with indigo becomes green. Scientific evidence: traditional. Contains anthraquinones, which stimulate the bowel and act as a laxative.

Is Buckthorn safe?

Safety label: caution. A strong laxative; long use causes a lazy bowel and loss of salts. Not for use in pregnancy.

Traditional use

Anatolia

The unripe berries give the bright yellow of carpets and kilims; yellow over-dyed with indigo becomes green. The bark is a folk laxative.

Europe

Its relative Rhamnus cathartica and alder buckthorn (Frangula) bark were long used as laxatives.

In nature

Where it grows: Dry slopes of Central and western Anatolia; once grown for dye.
Harvest season: Berries are picked green, July–August.
Local names: cehri, cehri dikeni, boya dikeni, akdiken

Mix-up risk

Many Rhamnus species look alike and all are laxative.

Preparation

Berries are dried and used in a dye bath.

What science says

Contains anthraquinones, which stimulate the bowel and act as a laxative. The EMA recognises the related Frangula bark for short-term constipation.

Safety

Caution

A strong laxative; long use causes a lazy bowel and loss of salts. Not for use in pregnancy.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substance	Why it matters
Diuretics, corticosteroids, licorice	Increase potassium loss.
Digoxin and heart rhythm drugs	Low potassium raises the risk of toxicity.
Oral medicines	Faster bowel transit may reduce absorption.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Buckthorn.