Prunus (Black Cherry Bark)
Black Cherry (Black Cherry Bark)
Prunus serotina
Astringent bark for dry coughs, joints and settled digestion.
Black cherry tree · Tree · Parts: Bark, Fruit
- Taste (rasa)
- Astringent, Sweet, Sour
- Energy (virya)
- Cooling
- Balances
- Pitta, Kapha
What it is used for
Benefits
- Soothes dry, irritated coughs and bronchial spasm
- Traditionally used for joint discomfort
- Cools and gently astringes the digestive tract
How it has been used
Traditional uses & benefits
Black cherry bark is a traditional cough remedy of North American herbalism — astringent, slightly sweet and soothing to the respiratory tract.
Traditional uses
- Dry, irritated coughs and bronchial spasm
- Joint discomfort and inflammation
- Digestive cooling and gentle astringency
Practical guidance
- 1Bark is decocted (simmered) for 10-15 minutes; do not use raw bark.
- 2Never chew the pits — they contain cyanide compounds.
- 3Short-term use only; avoid in pregnancy.
How much
Dosage
2-4 ml bark tincture twice daily, or bark decoction, short-term.
How to take it
Preparation & usage
Bark decoction
Simmer 1 tsp dried bark in 1 cup water for 10-15 minutes. Strain.
For coughs, up to one week
Cough syrup
Mix the decoction with honey and a little lemon.
As needed for cough
Read this first
Precautions
- Never chew or consume the pits — they contain cyanide
- Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Short-term use only
Where this comes from
Sources
Where to buy
Shop this remedy
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