Homestead mailing list

["Jerry W. Shepperd" <shepperd AT austincc.edu>]

Bev,

Apparently, they are all of the same family, maybe the same 
plant.  Here is a web-page from Herbal Extracts Plus, which is a 
commercial site.

Jerry Shepperd

http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/wild-cherry-bark.cfm?gclid=CJWSsZOsxoUCFTuALAod1St-ww
Botanical: Prunus virginiana; Prunus serotina
Family: Rosaceae (rose)
Other common names:  Chokecherry, Virginia Prune, Common Chokecherry,
Wild Black Cherry, Black Cherry, Black Choke, Rub Cherry, Cabana 
Cherry, Rum Cherry

Who has not tasted Wild Cherry cough drops or cough syrup? There is a 
reason: Wild Cherry Bark is a fine expectorant that loosens and 
expels phlegm from the lungs and has helped bronchitis, colds, flu, 
dry coughs, tuberculosis and many other pulmonary complaints. It also 
acts as a mild sedative that not only may calm coughs, but also 
nervous irritability and nervous indigestion.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended 
for educational purposes only. These statements have not been 
evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or 
prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any 
supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health 
care provider.

History:
The Cherry tree is a native of Asia, and was imported to Europe and 
North America, but the Wild Cherry is believed to be a native of 
North America, and grows from Canada to the Carolinas and Florida in 
the United States. It is a large, deciduous tree with a rough, 
reddish-brown bark and lustrous, dark green, oval, serrate leaves 
with pointy tips, and it bears small, delicate white flowers that 
bloom in April. The flowers are followed by one-seeded, purplish-red 
fruits that ripen in late summer and early autumn. The tree, which 
may reach a height of one hundred feet, can be found wild in moist 
woodlands and thickets, by riverbanks, or cultivated in well-drained, 
neutral-to-alkaline soil in sun, and it is prone to frost damage in a 
cold spring. The Cherry has been a source of food, drink and 
medicinal preparations since time immemorial. In North America, the 
early colonists included Wild Cherry Bark in cough medicines, and 
they probably learned of the plant's medicinal qualities from the 
Native Americans, who utilized the bark for diarrhea and lung 
ailments. The Mohegans used it to cure dysentery; the Cherokees used 
it to relieve pain in the early stages of labor; and the Meskwakis 
used it as a sedative. Wild Cherry Bark was officially listed in the 
United States Pharmacopoeia  from 1820 through 1975, as a sedative 
and antitussive - proving both Native Americans and early settlers 
correct in their medicinal applications. The Wild Cherry is one of 
many species of Prunus, which includes cherries and plums, among 
others, and has been an inspiration in Japanese art for centuries. 
Interestingly, a highly controversial cancer treatment (called 
laetrile) that has been conducted in Germany and Mexico (which is 
debunked  by the medical community in the United States) includes 
amygdalin, a substance that is found in Wild Cherry Bark and other 
members of the Prunus  genus, i.e., plums, almonds, peaches, apricots 
and sweet cherries. Wild Cherry Bark is also an extremely valuable 
commercial commodity. Its wood has been important in furniture 
making, and few people have not tasted cough drops and cough 
medicines made from Wild Cherry Bark. The fruit is also included in 
jellies, jams, wines, soft drinks and syrups. Because the Wild Cherry 
is so naturally sour, it has sometimes been called Chokecherry, and 
it is an aromatic, astringent, warming herb that is an important 
factor in herbal medicines. Some of the constituents included in Wild 
Cherry Bark are starch, resin, tannin, lignin, essential oil, 
benzaldehyde, caffeic acid, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, quercetin, 
scopoletin, ursolic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, 
potassium and zinc.

Beneficial Uses:
Wild Cherry Bark is a fine expectorant that helps to loosen and expel 
phlegm from the throat, lungs and chest, and to clear bronchial 
tubes. It has been used for centuries to treat pulmonary conditions 
such as bronchitis, asthma, dry coughs, tuberculosis, scrofula and 
catarrh. Furthermore, its antitussive, cough controlling qualities 
have been beneficial in cases of whooping cough, nervous and chronic 
coughs, colds and influenza, and for that reason, it is, of course, 
familiar to all of us in cough drops and cough syrups.

As a tonic, Wild Cherry Bark has been used to restore and nourish the 
entire body and exert a gentle strengthening effect on all body 
functions. It is said to be particularly helpful in cases of 
convalescent debility and weakness.

Wild Cherry Bark is considered a mild sedative and has been used to 
calm irritation, diminish nervous excitability and alleviate nervous 
dyspepsia.  It is said to be soothing to the nervous system and has 
been used to slow a nervous, rapid heartbeat and help a heart that is 
characterized by frequent, irregular beats or feeble pulse. The herb 
is also thought to be helpful for high blood pressure.

As a tonic for the digestive system, Wild Cherry Bark is believed to 
be very beneficial in cases of dyspepsia, poor digestion, gastritis, 
excess flatulence and general indigestion.  Its astringent qualities 
may also help to relieve diarrhea, colitis and dysentery.

Wild Cherry Bark is reputed to have antibacterial, antiviral and a 
parasiticidal qualities and has been used to destroy and expel 
parasites and worms from the intestinal system.

As a diaphoretic, Wild Cherry Bark encourages sweat, and the 
increased perspiration helps to cool the body, bring down fever and 
expel toxins through the skin.

Wild Cherry Bark is believed to possess antioxidant properties that 
may be helpful in the fight against the oxidative damage to cells and 
tissue caused by free radicals. Its amygdalin content is believed to 
be the active constituent responsible for this effect.

Used externally, Wild Cherry Bark has been included in poultices that 
may be applied to relieve ulcers and abscesses.

Contraindications:
Pregnant and nursing women should not use Wild Cherry Bark, nor 
should people who are being treated for hypotension. The leaves and 
fruit pits contain poisonous hydrocyanic acid and should never be ingested.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for 
all of our encapsulated products. 
<http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/size-comparison.cfm>(click here 
for size comparison)
   * Wild Cherry Bark (sold as Cherry Bark) - Botanical Powder -- 
Approximately 600 mg. each