- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Eastern and central North America to Mexico and Guatemala; invasive in Europe. Prunus serotina
- Other names
- Wilde kers
North America · Herb · № 156
Prunus serotina
Herb · North America
Wild black cherry
Prunus serotina
The dried bark was long used in cough syrups to calm irritating coughs. Modern clinical evidence is lacking.
Safety notes
Bark, leaves and pits contain compounds that form cyanide in the body. Not for long-term use, pregnancy or children. The leaves are toxic to livestock.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Western herbalism: No high doses long-term.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Contains cyanide-forming compounds: use briefly, not in pregnancy.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Not for long or in pregnancy; do not use seeds or leaves.
Preparation
The inner bark as a cold infusion or syrup; the ripe fruits are eaten. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Various Indigenous peoples used the bark for coughs and diarrhoea; it was long listed in the US Pharmacopeia. In Europe the tree has become an invasive species.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Calming, astringent, soothing to the chest; powerful cough suppressant (bronchitis, asthma), cools and calms tissue, soothes red/irritated wounds, calms palpitations from anxiety, stimulates appetite.
Preparation and amount
Decoction of dried inner bark: 1 tsp per cup, 8–10 min covered; tea: 1 tsp per cup, 15 min; both 1–3 cups a day for acute complaints; syrup 1 tsp; tincture 1 dropperful as needed; inner bark only, never the leaf.
Caution: No high doses long-term.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For colds, cough and sore throat; on the forehead for headache.
Preparation and amount
Scrape the bark of young shoots and boil it, or make a cough syrup with sugar; scraped bark on the forehead.
Caution: Contains cyanide-forming compounds: use briefly, not in pregnancy.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
For colds, coughs and fever, as a blood tonic, as a wash for old sores, at the start of labour pains, and in the sweat bath for stomach and bile complaints. In Garrett's story Ant discovers the sweet bark.
Preparation and amount
A tea of the inner bark.
Caution: Not for long or in pregnancy; do not use seeds or leaves.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTinctureSyrup, honey and oxymel