Wild Cherry Bark
Introduction to the Wild Cherry Bark
Wild cherry bark is believed to be a good treatment for cough and is particularly suited for dealing with dry and non-congested coughs. It is said to soothe the coughing reflex in patients and has been an effective treatment for those seeking to sleep through the night while suffering from coughing spasms. Wild cherry bark is also considered a natural appetite stimulant a good cure for digestive illnesses. Sometimes a cold infusion made from wild cherry bard is used to deal with eye inflammations. The wild cherry tree is variedly known as the black cherry, black choke, rum cherry and Virginian prune.
This natural remedy which seems to have magical properties is the bark of the wild cherry tree that is endemic to North America. The tree can be found in nature in the middle and northern zones of the US and sometimes in the Southwest in zones where the temperatures are moderate. These trees are known to reach heights of 50-80 feet with trunk reaching widths of 2-4 feet. The wild cherry has dark green leaves which are shiny on the top and fuzzy and pale below. The leaves, which are oval in shape with serrated edges have a slightly pointed tip, get to be about three inches long. The tree blossoms with small delicate white flowers before the foliage comes in early spring and it produces tiny cherries which are purplish and bitter toward end of summer. The most interesting feature of the species is the bark. While the bark from the trunk and branches are also appreciated for their medicinal properties, it is the root bark that is considered the most effective as a medicinal herb. The bark of the wild cherry peels off easily from the tree and has a dark outer layer and a reddish inner layer. The bark has a smell that is similar to an almond and this smell is less noticeable when the bark is dry and is apparent in a fresh bark or when dried bark is dissolved in a liquid or crushed. The bark is known to have a bitter taste. The chemical composition of the bark includes starch, gallic acid, resin, cyanogenic glycosides, tannin, lignin and also some calcium and potassium.
Native American tribal medicine and ancient Chinese medicine have both used the wild cherry bark. It is a natural cure that has been seen to be useful during child labor and delivery along with the above mentioned symptoms such as cough and digestive troubles.
Wild cherry bark is usually harvested in late autumn, and preferably from young plants, to get the benefit of high levels of prussic acid. The outer bark is then discarded and the interior, which is lighter colored, is dried without exposing it to direct sunlight. The bark is then stored in airtight containers in a space where there is no direct sun exposure. The bark's efficacy reduces as it is stored longer and so it is best to collect some fresh bark every year. The dried inner bark is easy to powder and this powder dissolves easily in water or alcohol. Wild cherry bark is used to make lozenges or tincture. So, one recipe for a natural cough expectorant is to dissolve 4 oz of powdered bark in 4oz of water. After letting it sit for at least 4-5 hours the medicated water needs to be strained. You can add honey to sweeten the liquid. It is not a good idea to boil wild cherry bark as that will deteriorate the medicinal impact of the ingredient.
Wild cherry bark should be used only for limited periods of time and with caution. Those using wild cherry bark should remember that cough is often a symptom of other physical illnesses and if it seems like a prolonged period of usage it is important to consult a doctor. Similarly prolonged periods of digestive disorders need professional medical help. Sometimes sedation is a side effect of using this bark and it is important to be aware of this when using this natural cure.