Native Americans had long used Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) as an herbal medicine, and this tradition was passed on to colonists of North America, which endures today. The main uses of Black Haw are for women’s health, especially for liberation of cramping and pain of menstruation, heavy menstruation and prolapse of the uterus.
Black Haw has also been used (by skilled practitioners only) as an antispasmodic and for calming the cramping of the uterus, and thus as a preventative for miscarriage. Despite the fact that herbal knowledge was often a liberating tool for enslaved Africans in the US, in a chapter of its bad history, slaves were forced to use Black Haw to prevent miscarriage by their owners.
Due to its antispasodic and astringent action, it has also been used for calming digestion. Black Haw is also considered a nervine, hypotensive and sedative. Active components in Black Haw include coumarins scopoletin and aesculetin, as well as salicin and others, including tannins and bioactive iridoids. *
#Ethnobotany #Ethnopharm #MedicinalPlants #herbalmedicine #miscarriage #slavery #UnitedStates #NorthAmerica #Juneteenth
Photo by Famartin
*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.