Cramp Bark

Viburnum opulus

 

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Caprifoliaceae, or honeysuckle family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Viburnum opulus is native to Europe, northern Africa and central Asia, and is grown in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the US. V. opulus is grown as an ornamental plant for its flowers and berries, growing best on moist, moderately alkaline soils, though tolerating most soil types well. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Dried bark ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Uterine relaxant 
• Antispasmodic
• Astringent
• Diuretic
• Hypotensive
• Nervine/mild sedative
• Parturifacient (facilitates childbirth)
• Peripheral vasodilator ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Muscular tension/spasms
• Uterine cramps
• Threatened SAB
• Excessive blood loss
• Irregular bleeding
• Restores sympathetic/parasympathetic balance
• Scanty/delayed menses ^[2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Hydroquinones (arbutin, methylarbutin), coumarins (scopoletin, scopoline), tannins. ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Nervine, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal ^[1]
8. Energetics:
• Bitter, cooling, pungent ^[3]
9. Safety:
• No contraindications noted. ^[2]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• The bark we got just looks like twigs – almost an orangey-brown color. It smells sweet, sour, and bitter; a little bit like spoiled milk but more herbaceous.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: (1:5 in 40%) 4 – 8 mL, 3x/day.
• Decoction: 2 teaspoons dried herb in 1 cup water, bring to a boil, simmer gently for 10 – 15 mins. Drink 3x/day. ^[2]
3. Usage Notes:
• I made a decoction. The resulting tea is a dark orange color. It doesn't taste good - super bitter, and drying on my tongue like Rhodiola. At the same time, it coats my tongue and throat like a mucilaginous herb would. The aftertaste (takes a while to set in) is almost citrus, like orange, and numbing like fennel. I didn't notice any particular cramp-relieving effects, but I did notice the diuretic effects almost immediately!

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 5 Study Questions. Bastyr University: SP-18_MW5123-A Botanicals 3: Pregnancy.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.