Cramp Bark

The image above is from the lesson I attended.

This herbs is a woman's best friend! Love and Light!

On to cramp bark!

Constituents: Petersen (2018) says scopoletin and viopudial which is antispasmodic and cholinergic (p. 233-4).  Hoffman (2003) says hydroquinones (arbutin, methylarbutin, and traces of free hydroquinone), coumarins (scopoletin, scopoline), and tannins (mainly catechins) (p. 593).  Chevallier (2016) says hydroquinones (arbutin), coumarins (scopoletin), tannins, proanthocyanidins, and polysaccharides (p. 150).

Therapeutic Actions: Antispasmodic, disinfectant, antioxidant (Petersen, 2018, p. 232).  Hoffman (2003) says antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nervine, hypotensive, astringent, and emmenagogue (p. 593). Chevallier (2016) says antispasmodic, sedative, astringent, and relaxant (p. 150). Griffin (1997) says antiabortive (p. 7).

Indications: Petersen (2018) says it relieves cramps and spams such as asthma, menstrual/pregnancy cramps, and hysteria (p. 232-3). Hoffman (2003) says relaxes muscular tension and spasms. These are uterine muscles and voluntary muscles. This means menstrual pain and protect against miscarriage, excessive menstrual bleeding, and irregular menopause bleeding (p. 593). Chevallier (2016) says Native Americans used it for cramps all over their body, swollen glands and mumps.  It relieves tense muscles including smooth muscles like intestines, airways, uterus and striated muscles. Helps muscle tension, asthma and other breathing issues, menstrual pain, constipation, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, some arthritis cases, high blood pressure and other circulatory issues (p. 150). Clark (2011) says menstrual cramps (p. 100).

Safety: Petersen says viopudial can cause bradycardia, hypotension, and decreased myocardial contractility. Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding (p. 234).  Hoffman (2003) says there are no safety concerns with this herb (p. 593). Clark (2011) says those with allergies to aspirin may be allergic to this herb.  Do not take with blood thinning medications.  Potential side effects are low blood pressure and gastroenteritis (p. 36).

Have a Great Day!