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Common Name
Wild Cherry
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Botanical Name
Prunus serotina
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Part Used
Bark
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Alcohol
30%
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Dose
15 to 80mL weekly
Wild cherry bark is a notable example of an antitussive, a remedy that quells coughing. Its powerful sedative action on the cough reflex means its main indication is dry, unproductive cough and thus it has a role in the irritating and persistent cough of bronchitis and whooping cough. It is especially helpful for coughs that prevent someone from sleeping or for the persistent dry cough that lingers long after other symptoms of a cold or flu have abated. A word of caution though, inhibition of a cough does not equate to the healing of a chest infection which will still need to be treated. Practitioners also reach for wild cherry when there are excess uric acid deposits causing painful gout or an excessive immune system response like seasonal allergies. It is also a great ally for aiding digestion and supporting heart health.
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Traditional Use
Early colonists to America found Native Americans using wild cherry to relieve coughs but also as a general sedative and treatment for labour pain, diarrhoea and pain and soreness in the chest in general. They adopted the Native American uses for the herb but also widely used it to treat the bronchitis, whooping cough and pneumonia that plagued their communities. Wild cherry was one of the most popular botanical medicines of the 19th century, both by itself and as an ingredient in numerous patent medicines.
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Actions
Antitussive, sedative, astringent, expectorant, antispasmodic, antioxidant, carminative, relaxant
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Indications
• Cough, bronchitis, whooping cough, seasonal allergies
• Nervous dyspepsia
• Gout -
Energetics
Cooling
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Use in Pregnancy
Likely unsafe when used orally
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Contraindications & Cautions
None known
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Drug Interactions
None known
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Dietary Information
Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free
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Substitutes
Angelica, Aniseed, Elecampane, Grindelia, Hyssop, Ribwort, Thyme, Liquorice, Mullein