Cherry Bark Prunus serotina
Wild Cherry: Prunus serotina
Family: Rosaceae
Descriptive Characteristics
Common tree-bark of tree is used, Flower- white in spring, Bark-Smooth when young, horizontal elongated lenticels. Small cherries fruit in the summer, black when ripe
Constituents
Anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin) Phenolic and antioxidant compounds, nitrates, and cyanide, nitrites
Therapeutic Actions
Sedative, expectorant, astringent, antitussive. Primarily used for coughs, whooping cough, lung problems. diarrhea, digestive disorders, pain and cancer
Formulary
Liquid extract
Orally: 5 to 10 drops, 2-3x daily
Research
Not for long term use or for use when pregnant: prunasin may be a teratogen. In large amounts, can lead to fatal poisoning.
May inhibit the cytochrome pathway and may increase the drugs metabolized