Black Haw

Viburnum prunifolium

Black haw is also known as Cramp Bark, King’s Crown, Sheep Berry, Snowball, Stagbush, American Sloe, and Sloe-leaved Viburnum.

DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Black haw is a small tree or a large woody shrub that can grow to 15 feet in height. It has glossy, dark green, toothed leaves and flat clusters of small white flowers and are followed by blue-black fruit. It is prized for its reddish-purple fall color and is known for its large fruit or berries which are used to make jams, preserves, sauces and drinks. This shrub is native to the central and eastern parts of the United States.

Native Americans used it primarily as a pregnancy and childbirth aid (preventing miscarriage) and for relieving menstrual cramps. During the 19th century, physicians valued it for its sedative effect on the nervous system. It was also prescribed to prevent spontaneous abortion in women who had a history of miscarriage.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* asthma

* painful menstruation and cramping

* nervous irritation

* muscle spasms

* easing symptoms of menopause

* false labor pains

* calming uterine muscles

* morning sickness

* colic

* lowering blood pressure

PRPEARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter:

Tincture: Take 5 to 10 ml of the tincture three times a day or follow the recommendations on label.

At home:

Decoction: Put 2 teaspoonfuls of dried Black haw bark in a pan with one cup of water and bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Parts used: Root bark and stem bark

Collection: Bark is harvested by stripping it from stems in the spring or in autumn. Bark from the roots is harvested in the fall.

Constituents: Scopoletin, aesculetin, tannin, salicin, arbutin, resin, sterol, amentoflavone, coumarins, oleanolic, and ursolic acids

Actions: Anti-spasmodic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, cardiac tonic, uterine and muscle relaxant, nervine, diuretic, tonic

Combinations: can be combined with False Unicorn Root and Cramp Bark to cease a threatened miscarriage.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* If you are allergic to aspirin you should not take this herb

* Eating the berries (or fruit) have been known to produce nausea and intestinal discomfort.