Plant Family: 

Adoxaceae Family

 

Habitat & Cultivation: 

Viburnum opulus is native to North America and is found throughout the northeastern part of the United States, it is known among tribes for its medicinal properties.  

 

Parts Used/Collection: 

Bark

 

Herbal Actions: 

Antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, hypotensive, nervine/mild sedative, parturifacient, peripheral vasodilator, uterine relaxant (Upton, 2000; Mills & Bone, 2005). As discussed in the lesson for this week, crampbark is more generally antispasmodic and tends to be more of a uterine relaxant (I think? Not sure if I understood this slide correctly).  Crampbark is used more generally in pregnancy for muscular tension but can be helpful as a uterine relaxant as well.  A great example of its use more generally is with hypertension where it will promote relaxation in the blood vessel wall.

 

Indications: 

• Increasing UCs in labor

• Promote menstrual flow

• Lower HR and BP

• Increase blood coagulability

Contraindications:

No contraindications or drug interactions known

 

Plant Constituents: 

Phenolics, Triterpenes, Volitile oil, Fatty acidis, Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives

 

System Affinities:

• Nervine

• Cardiovascular

• Musculoskeletal

 

 

Energetics:

stable, heavy, slow, dry
 

Safety:

Class 1: herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately, 

 

Personal Experience: 

I used the crampbark tincture to alleviate my cramps during my cycle. It has been a great help with the discomfort and pain. 

 

Research: 

American Botanical Council. (1990). Crampbark

 

Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press: Vermont.

 

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. 

 

Romm, A. (2010). Botanical medicine for women's health. St. Louis, Mo: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.