Cramp Bark Medicinal Herbal

							                                              Cramp Bark
                                              Viburnum opillus
                                           Plant Family: caprifoliaceae

Cramp Bark shows by its name the richly deserved reputation it has as a relaxer of muscular
tension and spasm. It has two main areas of use. Firstly in muscular cramps and secondly in
ovarian and uterine muscle problems. Cramp Bark will relax the uterus and so relieve painful
dysmenorrhea. In a similar way it may be used as a protection against threatened miscarriage.
Its astringent action gives it a role in the treatment of excessive blood loss in periods and
especially bleeding associated with the menopause.

Part Used: Dried bark

Collection: Collect the bark in mid-spring and late spring, cut into pieces and dry.

Constituents: A bitter called viburnin, valerianic acid, salicosides, resin, tannin

Actions: Anti-spasmodic, sedative

                                           Preparation and Dosage

Decoction:
    Put 2 teaspoon of chopped root into a cup of water and boil gently for 10 to 15 minutes.
    Take one cup three times a day.
Tincture:
Take 4-8 ml of tincture three times a day

Combinations:
   For the relief of cramp it may be combined with Prickly Ash and Wild Yam.
   For uterine and ovarian pains or threatened miscarriage it may be used with Black Haw and
     Valerian.