Wild Cherry Bark

Species Name: Prunus serotina

Also Known As: Virginia Prune Bark, Black Cherry, chokecherry, rum cherry, and black choke.

Wild Cherry Trees are native to North America and have been naturalized to many other countries.

This deciduous fruit tree grows from 50 to 80 feet high, and 2 to 4 feet in diameter. The bark is used by cabinet makers because of its color and that it polishes well.

What is Wild Cherry Bark? Wild Cherry Bark is the dried inner root, trunk and branch bark of the tree.

This bark can be used to make a tea, comes in bulk, syrups, and capsules.

Wild Cherry Bark Cough Medicine Recipe:

  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 1/2 cup whiskey
  • 16 Tablespoons of dried Wild Cherry Bark

Combine first three ingredients in a stainless steel pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and add Wild Cherry Bark that has been cut or broken into small pieces.

Stir well, cover and let simmer for 25 minutes or until thick. Strain through course strainer or cheese cloth into a clean jar.

This mixture can be stored in a cool, dry place. Use 2-3 tbsp when needed.

Home Remedies Using Wild Cherry Bark:

Benefits of Wild Cherry Bark:

Historical use of Wild Cherry Bark includes the use by Chippewa’s an American Indian tribe who used it to treat diarrhea and lung ailments.

Traditionally cough medicines used to be made with wild cherry bark to soothe inflammation, and as a vigorous expectorant. Today many commercial cough syrups and cough drops utilize an artificial cherry flavor.

Today Wild Cherry Bark is used to treat:

  • Coughs
  • Colds
  • Whooping Cough
  • Bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Tuberculosis
  • Recurring Fever
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Nausea

It is an expectorant, astringent, nervine, mild sedative, and anti-spasmodic. It is often recommended for nervous indigestion and irritability.

Wild Cherry Bark can be used as a bitter to aid in digestion. A cold infusion can be used as an eye wash, to treat inflammation of the eyes.

Wild Cherry Bark is often recommended as a treatment for weak, rapid circulation, cardiac palpitation, and cardiac pain. Traditionally it has been used as a treatment for intestinal worms.

Side Effects of Wild Cherry Bark:

Wild Cherry bark is not intended for extended, long term use. It is safe in recommended amounts.

Prussic acid, one of its components, is highly poisonous. A medicinal dose of wild cherry bark contains .07 to .16 percent of prussic acid and is considered safe.