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Cherry Bark
Cherry Bark or Wild Cherry Bark refers to the bark of wild cherry trees is
botanically known as prunus serotina. Cherry bark is native to North America
and has a variety of alternative names that include: Black Cherry, Black Choke,
Choke Cherry, Rum Cherry, and Virginia Prune Bark. Historically used by Native
American tribes for a variety of herbal medical treatments, it is now predominantly
used in the treatment of bronchitis, irritating coughs, and whooping cough.
The Wild Cherry tree is a large tree that can grow from 50 to 80 feet in height
and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. Its trunk is covered with rough, black bark in
older trees that separates naturally from the trunk. The bark that is used medicinally,
however, come from younger Wild Cherry Trees whose bark is smooth, glossy, and
reddish-brown. The tree contains deciduous leaves that grow from 3 to 5 inches
in length and approximately 2 inches in width. The wild cherry tree also grows
flowers that are white which usually bloom in May. The fruit it grows is pea-sized
with a diameter of approximately 1.5 centimeters. It ripens in the late summer
and autumn seasons. The most valuable source of Cherry Bark in wild cherry trees
is found in its root, although bark from the trunk and branches are also used.
This bark is collected each season as its medicinal properties deteriorate if
they are kept longer than a year. The outer bark is stripped and the inner bark
is left to dry in the shade. Proper drying of Cherry Bark is vital as it is
poisonous. Cherry bark fragments vary in length and width from 1 to 8 inches
and have an odor similar to almonds. Cherry bark should not be boiled, as boiling
it reduces its medicinal properties.
The medicinal properties of Cherry Bark were first used by Native Americans
in a variety of treatment that include: easing pain during child labor, easing
pain associated with diarrhea and lung problems; an enema for hemorrhoids; and
a cure for dysentery. Currently, Cherry Bark is mainly used as an effective
cough remedy. Cherry Bark contains cyanogenic glycosides, such as prunasin,
that once ingested are hyrdolized to glucose, bensaldehyde, and hydrocyanic
or prussic acid. Respiration is increased and the sensory nerves responsible
for provoking the cough reflexes are sedated due to the excretion of prussic
acid. Additionally, Cherry Bark can be used in combination with tusilago and
marrubium to treat pertussis. Combined with lactuca, verbascum, inula, and humulus,
cherry bark can be used to treat nervous cough. It can also be used to treat
nervous dyspepsia when combined with Althaea root, Filipendula, and Chamaemelum.
It has also been used to treat asthma and chronic diarrhea.
Cherry Bark can be used in a cold infusion or as a tincture. If used in an
infusion, it is recommended that 1 teaspoonful of cherry bark be allowed to
infuse for 10 to 15 minutes in a cup of boiling water. This drink should be
drunk three times per day. If used in a tincture, it is recommended that 1 to
2 ml of the tincture be taken three times per day. It is important to avoid
excessive use of cherry bark, as large amounts of cherry bark can cause cyanide
poisoning. However, instances of cherry bark toxicity are rare.
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