Botanical Name: Prunus serotina
Plant Family: Rosaceae
Common Names: Black Choke, Black Cherry, Cerasus serotina, Choke Cherry, Loisel, Rum Cherry, Virginian Prune,
Origin: Wild Cherry grows throughout North America from Nova Scotia to Florida and as far west as the Dakotas and Arizona in moist areas.
History: Native American Indians had many uses for this herb:
- to ease pain during labor
- for diarrhea
- for lung problems
Plant Constituents
Contains:
- calcium salts
- fatty matter
- gallic acid
- iron salts
- lignin
- potassium salts
- red coloring
- resin
- starch
- tannin
- volatile oil, associated with hydrocyanic acid
Usage
Medicinal Parts Used: Bark
Wild Cherry Bark is used for:
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Inflammatory Conditions
Respiratory Conditions
- all illnesses related to lung congestion, safe to use even for children
- bronchitis
- consumption
- hacking cough
- nervous cough
- whooping cough
Other
- convalescence from fevers
Action:
- astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
- expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
- pectoral [remedy for pulmonary or other lung and chest diseases]
- sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Precautions
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Wild Cherry without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
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