Black Haw Extract

Species Name: Viburnum Prunifolium

Also known as: American sloe, black haw, stagbush, snowball tree, sheepberry, king's crown and European cranberry

Black haw, native to the American continent, is a small, shrubby, evergreen tree that flowers and has fruit. Its bark is reddish brown and the berries are edible.

The extract is made from the stem and the root bark. After it has dried then it is extracted. It can be found in liquid tinctures, capsules, powder, raw chip form and tea.

Home Remedies Using Black Haw Extract

Benefits of Black Haw Extract

Black haw was well known as a medicinal treatment by many American Indian tribes. The plant material was used for basket making and the berries were eaten as food and made into a kind of preserve.

It is believed that the extract was also used by American Indian tribes to boost fertility. It has been used in assisting women to cope with menopause and it is said to help with menstrual cramps. This may be because it is thought to cause the uterus to relax and may act as a mild sedative. It has also been used to ease the pain of birth deliveries and to prevent miscarriages.

Aside from the treatment for women's issues, of which it is known best for, it contains salicin, a phenolic acid, which is in close relation to aspirin. There are some naturalists that use it in the treatment of migraine head aches and some blood disorders.

Black haw contains magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and manganese. It is anti inflammatory and can lower blood pressure. It contains tannins, is antispasmodic and can help with diarrhea, asthma and spasms. It can be taken to calm the nerves and relieve hysteria.

It can increase urine production that helps with flushing out the system of any toxic substances. It can also help with water retention and bloating.

Black haw has the presence of bitters which stimulate the appetite and can increase saliva production. The bitter taste of the herb can activate digestive juices creating more of an appetite and also protecting the digestive tract. Bitters can clean the liver and are good for upset stomachs.

Scientific data is lacking as to how affective the herb is and how exactly it does what it has been claimed to do. More studies need to be done to find out these reasons why.

Side Effects of Black Haw Extract

Black haw extract has many of the properties as that of aspirin, therefore it could thin the blood and those individuals that are on blood thinners should avoid its use. Avoid use if allergic to aspirin.

Although used in the past to halt miscarriages and protect pregnancy it has many medicinal purposes for gynecological issues therefore pregnant women should avoid use.

Avoid use if suffering from kidney stones

Black haw extracts have not had extensive testing, checking with a health care provider would be beneficial if contemplating the use of black haw.

Research

Journal of the American Chemical Society