Native to Europe and Asia, Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) is a deciduous shrub with three-lobed leaves and white flowers produced in corymbs, followed by bright red berries (drupes).
Cramp Bark is grown as an ornamental, especially for its flowers and berries, and used as hedgerows and woodland native plantings, with several available cultivars.
The berries are edible in small amounts, but can cause stomach upset in larger quantities, and are best cooked and used in preserves.
The common name comes from the use of the bark, as its ability to relax smooth muscle fibers that has been utilized in traditional medicines.
There is another Viburnum species (covered in a coming post) that is also commonly called “Cramp Bark” due to similar traditional uses.
In Ukrainian folklore, Cramp Bark, called Kalyna, is symbolic to homeland and blood, and also the beauty of young women, and depicted as a cultural reference in arts such as embroidery, as well as being the insignia of the Ukrainian Army.
In traditional herbal medicine, Cramp Bark is used for its antispasmodic, as well as a sedative action. The bark contains scopoletin, which is a coumarin known to impart a sedative effect on the uterus.
Other potential actives have been identified, such as viopudial, which has hypotensive and antispasmodic activity and chlorogenic acid, which has a number of potential activities such as hypotensive and antiinflammatory.
Cramp Bark is not just used for cramps in menstruation, but other conditions for its antispasmodic activity, including for colic, endometriosis, painful menstruation, asthma, threatened miscarriage and child birth. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh bark.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Soothing Symbol of Homeland
