Wild Cherry ~ Prunus serotina

Wild Cherry

Latin name: Prunus serotina

Family: Rosaceae

Part used: bark

Habitat: Canada, USA

Main constituents: cyanogenetic glycoside (prunasin), benzaldehyde

Energetics: neutral, drying

Main herbal actions: stimulating astringent, tonifying expectorant, antitussive

Minor herbal actions: sedative

Main medicinal uses: irritable and persistent coughs, pleurisy, pneumonia, whooping cough, nervous cough, diarrhea, nervous dyspepsia

Minor medicinal uses: acute inflammatory conditions, febrile diseases

Preparations: decoction: 1 tsp/cup water; 1:3.5 dry tincture: 10-40 gtt qd-qid

Contraindications: long-term use due to cyanogenic glycosides, pregnancy

Toxicity: (in extreme overdose) symptoms of cyanide poisoning: anxiety, breathing problems, staggering, convulsions, collapse, death (which may be sudden)

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.goatworld.com/health/plants/cherry.shtml