Wild Cherry Bark

Also known as

Prunus serotina, Black Cherry (Prunus virginiana), Virginian Prune, and Choke Cherry.

Introduction 

From ancient times the cherry has been associated with virginity, the red colored fruit with the enclosed seed symbolizing the uterus. Buddhism teaches that Maya, the virgin mother of Buddha, was supported by a holy cherry tree during her pregnancy. In Danish folklore, a good crop of cherries was insured by having the first ripe fruit eaten by a woman shortly after her first child was born. Many myths used cherries as symbols of both education and concealment. The cherry has been associated with virginity from ancient times to modern, which probably arose from the red colored fruit with enclosed seed symbolizing the uterus. 

Constituents

Acetylcholine, HCN, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, prunasin, quercetin, scopoletin, tannins.

Parts Used 

Dried bark.

Typical Preparations 

Most commonly found in Syrup formulas, however it may be administered as a tea or extract.

Summary 

Much of the healing activity of wild cherry bark is associated with scopoletin: analgesic, antiarrhythmic, antibacterial, anticonstrictive (in the bronchial tubes), antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, fungicide, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugars, relaxing the muscles, "sedating" the uterus. The bark is also about 1/2% hydrogen cyanide, just enough to stop coughing and to relax the bronchial tubes without having any other physiological effects.

Precautions