Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Family: Rosaceae

Part Used: Bark

Flavor/Aroma: Sweet; Aromatic

Energetics: Cooling; Bitter

 

Overview:

Wild cherry bark, harvested from the Prunus serotina tree, has a long history of use in traditional botanical practices, particularly in North America. The bark is known for its distinctive scent, which becomes more prominent when it is dried. In modern times, the focus on wild cherry bark is primarily on its potential applications related to the respiratory system.

Cherry Trees grow throughout the United states, favoring the Southeastern and Eastern regions of the country. They can grow to heights of 50 to 80 feet tall, bearing coarse, dark colored bark and the wood is popularly used in carpentry for a variety of applications. It grows with deciduous leaves with a finely-serrated edge and thick in texture. The flowers express in white solitary florets that mature into cherry fruits.7

Cultivation and Harvesting:

Cherry trees are native to most of the United States, certain species favoring the growing conditions of the Southwest. Its flowers are in full bloom in the later spring months, and the fruit will fully ripen by August or September. The bark is best harvest with care in the spring or autumn when the medicinal potential is at its highest, and when the energy has moved from the flowers back into the trunk and branches.4

Southern Oregon Cultivation:

Wild Cherry trees can be identified in the wild throughout Oregon, favoring dense forests and grows thickest along the edges of habitats; these include spaces such as riverbanks, around ponds, and along the edge of the woods. Its fragrant flowers and luscious fruit provides nutritious sustenance for Southern Oregon pollinators and foragers alike.

History and Folklore:

American Native Uses: The inner-bark and fruit have been used to treat a variety of respiratory conditions including asthma and irritated, dry coughs. It was also used to dispel fevers, stop diarrhea, and remedy colds and flus. The cherry fruits were often used in dishes such as pemmican, which was a mixture of dried, chopped fruits, meat and fat, and was typically eaten in the winter months. The Souix chewed the root of the tree to relieve toothaches and mouth sores, the Crows utilized a tea of bark as a purge, and the Blackfeet drank a tea of the herb while nursing to pass the medicinal benefits to the infant. The Mesquakies used the root bark as a sedative, to aid in stomach pains, and as a treatment for hemorrhoids.6  

Modern Applications:

• Respiratory System Support: The most common modern use of wild cherry bark is to help support a healthy respiratory system. Historically, it was used to address various conditions involving coughing. Modern herbalists and researchers have explored its potential to help soothe and calm occasional coughs.

• Syrups and Tinctures: Wild cherry bark is often used as a key ingredient in herbal syrups, which are a traditional way to deliver botanical compounds, especially for soothing the throat.

Active Constituents: Wild cherry bark contains a number of compounds, including cyanogenic glycosides (like prunasin), flavonoids, and tannins. When the bark is processed, the cyanogenic glycosides can be converted into other compounds. This is why the bark must be properly aged and dried before use.

Uses and Preparations:

Wild cherry bark is available as a dried herb for teas, as a component in tinctures, and most famously, in herbal syrups.

Herbal Syrup: 

Infuse 1 cup of organic cherry juice with 1 ounce of Wild Cherry bark  (you can add 1 teaspoon of lemon and honey to taste). Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Strain and store for later use.

Tincture: 

2-4 mL up to 3 times daily.

Some herbal tinctures can have a strong flavor on their own. Adding your tincture to a glass of 6-8oz of water is one easy way to help, should you wish to dilute the flavor.  

Recommended Usage:

It is important to remember that some bodies may react differently than others when using herbal products. Our recommended usage amounts are designed to be an average dosage only. If you have specific concerns about the usage amount or interaction with other medication, please consult with your doctor or health care practitioner prior to using our products.

Note:

It is important to remember that some bodies may react differently than others when using herbal products. Our recommended usage amounts are designed to be an average dosage only. If you have specific concerns about the dosage amount or interaction with other medication, please consult with your doctor or health care practitioner prior to using our products.  

Sun God Medicinals products that contain Wild Cherry:

Sunna Ra Herbals Wild Cherry Bark Tincture

Precautions:

We recommend consulting with your practitioner if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or if you are using any other medications.

• Safety: The fresh bark of wild cherry contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic. It is essential to use only properly prepared and aged wild cherry bark from reputable sources.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides and a lack of safety data, wild cherry bark is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

• Medication Interactions: As with any botanical, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before using wild cherry bark, especially if you are taking any medications.

References:

1. García-Aguilar, L., Rojas-Molina, A., Ibarra-Alvarado, C., Rojas-Molina, J. I., Vázquez-Landaverde, P. A., Luna-Vázquez, F. J., & Zavala-Sánchez, M. A. (2015, February 17). Nutritional value and volatile compounds of black cherry (Prunus serotina) seeds. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25690299#targetText=Prunus%20serotina%20(black%20cherry)%2C,are%20used%20for%20treating%20cough.
2. Food as Medicine: Cherry: HerbalEGram: August 2018. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cms.herbalgram.org/heg/volume15/08August/FAM-Cherry.html?ts=1547781648&signature=6d09f55b3b3561c201268f0622f170df 
3. Aleshia, Aleshia, Marden, A., & Marden, A. (2018, May 15). Wild Cherry, One of the Great North American Herbs. Retrieved from https://planetherbs.com/blogs/michaels-blogs/wild-cherry-one-of-the-great-north-american-herbs/.
4. Wild Cherry Monograph. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/wild-cherry 
5. Devon, Devon, American College of Healthcare Sciences, & American College of Healthcare Sciences. (2019, March 28). Respiratory Herbs: Wild Cherry Bark & Medicinal Syrup. Retrieved from https://nittygrittylife.com/wild-cherry-bark-syrup/ 
6. Black Cherry. (2010, December 6). Retrieved from https://www.cloverleaffarmherbs.com/black-cherry/#sthash.Tz6S3aQJ.dpbs
7. Prunus Virginiana (U. S. P.)-Wild Cherry. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/prunus-sero.html 

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.