Wild Black Cherry
February 23rd, 2007 by admin
Wild Black Cherry
Ajamoda
Black Cherry
Black Choke
Caban Cherry
Choke Cherry
Padmaka
Rub Cherry
Virginia Prune
Wild Black Cherry
Wild black cherry grows from Nova Scotia to Florida and as far west as the Dakotas, Utah and Arizona. Wild black cherry towers high at roughly 100 feet or so and has a trunk circumference somewhere between 4 and 5 feet. The trunk is covered with rough, black bark.
PARTS USED
Inner bark.
USES
Figuring in official pharmacopoeias and much used in the Anglo-American tradition, black cherry bark effectively counters chronic dry and irritable coughs. Combined with coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), it treats asthma and whooping cough, “The astringent bark also eases indigestion and the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, especially when these conditions are of nervous origin.
Other medical uses - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ).
HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Native to North America, black cherry grows throughout much of the US. Black cherry is cultivated in central Europe for its lumber. The bark is collected in late summer and early autumn.
CONSTITUENTS
Black cherry contains prunasin (a cyanogenic glycoside that yields hydrocyanic acid), benzaldehyde, eudesmic acid, coumarins, and tannins. Prunasin reduces the cough reflex.
HOW MUCH TO TAKE
Many people use wild cherry tincture or syrup, taking 2-4 ml three to four times per day.
SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS
Very large amounts of wild cherry pose the theoretical risk of causing cyanide poisoning. However, this has not been observed in clinical practice, making it a very safe herbal remedy.
Source: herbs2000
Posted in A Herbs, B Herbs, C Herbs, P Herbs, R Herbs, V HErbs, W Herbs |
