Nestled sweetly in woodlands across North America and Europe you will find a deciduous shrub called Cramp Bark. Cramp Bark is used for food by harvesting the berries and as a plant remedy by utilizing the bark. As the name suggests, Cramp Bark uses the bark of the plant to treat cramps and cramp-like ailments such as arthritis, back pain, and asthma. The bark contains methyl salicylate which is a weak acting precursor to the salicylic acid that is used in aspirin, but less irritating to the gastric mucosa. Historically, physicians recommended it to support women through menstruation as it has been found to be useful for the common complaints associated with normal menstrual cycles. The bark was made official in the US Pharmacopeia in 1894 and was included in the National Formulary in 1916.
History & Folklore
The Meskwaki tribe of Wisconsin utilized cramp bark to treat menstrual cramps, back pain, and arthritis. The Penobscot people of Maine used the herb to counter swollen lymph glands and gout. The Iroquois used the bark post-childbirth to treat a prolapsed uterus. Additionally, Cramp Bark is known in Ukraine as Kalyna and is very much a part of their folk tradition pictured in mentioned in folk songs, embroidery work, and in Slavic mythology.
Habitat & Cultivation
Cramp bark, or Guelder Rose, is a deciduous shrub or tree growing to 13 ft, with lobed leaves, white flowers, and red oval fruit. Native to both North America and Europe, it grows in woodlands, hedges, and thickets. It is propagated from seed sown in autumn. Bark from the branches is carefully collected in spring and summer, when the plant is in flower. If too much bark is taken off at a time, the plant will die.
Uses
Native American Remedy In Native American herbalism, cramp bark was taken for cramps and pains throughout the body and to treat swollen glands and mumps
Muscle Relaxant Used to soothe tense muscles in the intestines, throat, uterus, or striated muscles in limbs and back. Treats symptoms of muscle tension like asthma and menstrual pain. Also effective for constipation, IBS, and colic.
Arthritis In some cases of arthritis, where joint weakness and pain has caused rigid muscle contraction, cramp bark can bring remarkable relief
Other Uses High blood pressure and circulatory conditions
Parts used
Bark peeled off the tree in strips during spring and summer
Key Actions
Antispasmodic
Sedative
Astringent
Relaxant
Constituents
Hyrdroquinones
Coumarins
Tannins
Proanthocyanidins
Polysaccharides
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 150.
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