Viburnum opulus (L)
Order: Caprifoliaceae
Description: Viburnum opulus is a shrub or small tree with nearly erect branches, found in hedgerows and woods over Europe and Russia and naturalised in North America. The large, broad, three to five-pointed leaves are on slender leafstalks, the small white flowers borne in dense cymes giving way to black or red globular drupes. Parts used: stem bark Collection: The stem bark is stripped before flowering. Constituents: resin, a bitter (viburnin), valerianic acid, salicosides, tannin, saponins Actions: spasmolytic, sedative, astringent, smooth and skeletal muscle relaxant, cardiac tonic, uterine relaxant, anti-inflammatory Indications: cramp, ovarian and uterine pains, spasmodic muscular cramp, uterine dysfunction, menopausal metrorrhagia, threatened miscarriage, partus preparator, infantile enuresis.
Combinations: This herb may be combined with Dioscorea and Zanthoxylum in cramp; and with Viburnum prunifolium and Chamaelirium or Valeriana in threatened miscarriage or uterine pains. It may be added to digestive remedies for irritable bowel, or combined with Juglans or Rheum palmatum for constipation caused by tension. Preparation and Dosage: (thrice daily) Dried bark: 2-4g or by decoction Liquid extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4ml Tincture: 1:5 in 45% alcohol, 5-10ml. Additional Comments: Cramp bark was used by Native Americans for mumps and other swellings. The name Guelder comes from the Dutch province of Gueldersland, where the tree was first cultivated. The berries turn black on drying and have been used for making ink.
Bibliography BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth. Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London. Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element, Shaftesbury. Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London. Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling Kindersley, London.
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Christine Haughton, MA MNIMH MCPP FRSPH Wold Farm, West Heslerton, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8RY, UK Last updated 27th November 2014 ©Purple Sage Botanicals
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