CRAMPBARK
Viburnum opulus
COMMON NAMES: High cranberry, snowball tree, guelder rose, squaw bush.
FEATURES: Indigenous to the northern part of the United States and Canada; a handsome shrub growing in
lowlands, rich woods, and borders of fields, presenting a showy appearance when flowering in June. The
flowers are succeeded by red, very acid berries resembling low cranberries and sometimes substituted
for them. They remain on the bush after the leaves have fallen and throughout the winter. The bark has no
smell but has a peculiar bitterish and astringent taste that leaves a clean feeling in the mouth. Viburnine is
the active principle found in the dried bark of the stem. The berries are a rich source of vitamins C and K.
MEDICINAL PART: Bark.
SOLVENTS: Water, diluted alcohol.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Antispasmodic, nervine, tonic, astringent, diuretic.
USES: Known to American practitioners for the conditions the name implies, crampbark gives relief from
cramps and spasms from involuntary muscular contractions such as in asthma and hysteria, if taken during
pregnancy, prevents the attack entirely if used daily for the last two or three months of gestation.
Steep 1 teaspoonful of the cut bark in 1 cup of boiling water for ½ hour; drink 1 or 2 cupfuls, cold, a
day. Of the tincture, ½ fluidram. For spasmodic compounds, add to 2 quarts of good sherry wine:
2 ounces crampbark (Viburnum opulus)
1 ounce skullcap (Scutellaria)
1 ounce skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
½ ounce cloves (Eugenia caryophyllus)
2 drams capsicumCombine ingredients in powder form, or coarsely bruised. Let stand in covered container at least 24
hours, shaking daily.
CAUTION: The berries of the plant are poisonous.
DOSE: Half a wineglassful, two or three times a day.