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Information About The Herb Cramp Bark
Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus
Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
Common Names: Black Haw, Guelder Rose, Red Elder, Rose Elder, Snowball Tree, King's Crown, May Rose, Silver Bells
Origin: The Wild Guelder Rose is a shrub belonging to the same family as the Elder, native to eastern United States and growing wild in England.
History: Chaucer calls the berries 'gaitre beries'. The name Guelder comes from Gueldersland, a Dutch province, where the tree was first cultivated.
Contains:
- resin
- tannin
- Valerianic Acid
- Viburnine, a bitter glucoside
Medicinal Parts Used: Bark, berries
Cramp Bark is used for:
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- all nervous conditions
- convulsions
- cramps and spasms
- fits and lock-jaw
- hysteria
- nervous debility
Cardiovascular Conditions
- heart disease
- palpitation
Female Conditions
Cramp Bark is one of the best female regulators in the herb world, being used for:
- afterbirth cramping
- internal hemorrhaging
- menstrual cramps
- preventing miscarriage
- uterine sedative
Inflammatory Conditions
- rheumatism
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- asthma
Other Uses: Although the berries are edible (very tart) they are mainly used:
- as a substitute for cranberries in jelly and jam making (Canada)
- to make a spirit fermented with flour (Siberia)
Action:
- anti-scorbutic [a source of Vitamin C for curing or preventing scurvy]
- antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- nerve sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Cramp Bark without first talking to your health practitioner if using any of the following medications:
- None Known
Global Herbal Supplies has Cramp Bark available in the following forms
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
