Key Constituents

Coumarins (scopoletin)^{[11, 12]}

A principal antispasmodic constituent of the bark. A phytochemistry/biological-effects review documents the species' antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity and its traditional use for cramps and colds.

Coumarins

Viopudial and hydroquinones (arbutin)^{[11, 13]}

Contribute to the smooth-muscle-relaxant and astringent activity.

Tannins^{[1, 11]}

Astringent constituents.

Tannins

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)^{[7, 11]}

Mild analgesic for cramping pain

Antispasmodic^{[11, 12, 13]}

Antispasmodic for general muscle spasm and cramping (smooth-muscle relaxant); Antispasmodic for menstrual cramps (relaxes uterine smooth muscle)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Back pain^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →

Headache^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^{[8, 11, 12, 13]}Traditional · 2/10

Antispasmodic for menstrual cramps (relaxes uterine smooth muscle)

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^[11]Traditional · 1/10

Antispasmodic for general muscle spasm and cramping (smooth-muscle relaxant)

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^[11]Traditional · 1/10

Mild analgesic for cramping pain

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 13]}Info

Only the bark is used medicinally; the raw berries are toxic and cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten in quantity.

Safety note^[11]Caution

Human safety data are limited; medicinal use in pregnancy or breastfeeding should only be under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

References

REF-1133, REF-1134, REF-1135, REF-1136, REF-1137, REF-1138, REF-1139, REF-1140, REF-1141, REF-1142

References & Sources

Wojcik-Bojek, U., Rywaniak, J., Bernat, P., Podsedek, A. and others (2021) 'An In Vitro Study of the Effect of Viburnum opulus Extracts on Key Processes in the Development of Staphylococcal Infections', Molecules, 26(6), pp. 1758. doi:10.3390/molecules26061758 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26061758
Zaklos-Szyda, M., Pietrzyk, N., Szustak, M. and Podsedek, A (2020) 'Viburnum opulus L. Juice Phenolics Inhibit Mouse 3T3-L1 Cells Adipogenesis and Pancreatic Lipase Activity', Nutrients, 12(7), pp. 2003. doi:10.3390/nu12072003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12072003
Zaklos-Szyda, M., Nowak, A., Pietrzyk, N. and Podsedek, A (2020) 'Viburnum opulus L. Juice Phenolic Compounds Influence Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Osteosarcoma Saos-2 Cells', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(14), pp. 4909. doi:10.3390/ijms21144909 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21144909
Tuglu, D., Yilmaz, E., Yuvanc, E., Erguder, I. and others (2014) 'Viburnum opulus: could it be a new alternative, such as lemon juice, to pharmacological therapy in hypocitraturic stone patients?', Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia, 86(4), pp. 297-299. doi:10.4081/aiua.2014.4.297 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2014.4.297
Zaklos-Szyda, M., Pawlik, N., Polka, D., Nowak, A. and others (2019) 'Viburnum opulus Fruit Phenolic Compounds as Cytoprotective Agents Able to Decrease Free Fatty Acids and Glucose Uptake by Caco-2 Cells', Antioxidants, 8(8), pp. 262. doi:10.3390/antiox8080262 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080262
Zaklos-Szyda, M., Kowalska-Baron, A., Pietrzyk, N., Drzazga, A. and others (2020) 'Evaluation of Viburnum opulus L. Fruit Phenolics Cytoprotective Potential on Insulinoma MIN6 Cells Relevant for Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity', Antioxidants, 9(5), pp. 433. doi:10.3390/antiox9050433 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050433
Gok, B., Tarik Atik, Y., Uysal, B., Koc, E. and others (2021) 'Gilaburu extract (Viburnum opulus Linnaeus) is as effective as Tamsulosin in medical expulsive therapy of distal ureteral calculi', International Journal of Clinical Practice, 75(12), pp. e14950. doi:10.1111/ijcp.14950 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14950
Saltan, G., Suntar, I., Ozbilgin, S., Ilhan, M. and others (2016) 'Viburnum opulus L.: A remedy for the treatment of endometriosis demonstrated by rat model of surgically-induced endometriosis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 193, pp. 450-455. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.029 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.029
Altun, M.L., Citoglu, G.S., Yilmaz, B.S. and Coban, T (2008) 'Antioxidant properties of Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana growing in Turkey', International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 59(3), pp. 175-180. doi:10.1080/09637480701381648 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09637480701381648
Karakurt, S., Abusoglu, G. and Arituluk, Z.C (2020) 'Comparison of anticarcinogenic properties of Viburnum opulus and its active compound p-coumaric acid on human colorectal carcinoma', Turkish Journal of Biology, 44(5), pp. 252-263. doi:10.3906/biy-2002-30 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3906/biy-2002-30
Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/cramp-bark/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/cramp-bark/
Kajszczak, D., Zaklos-Szyda, M. and Podsedek, A (2020) 'Viburnum opulus L. - A Review of Phytochemistry and Biological Effects', Nutrients, 12(11). doi:10.3390/nu12113398 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113398
ScienceDirect Topics (n.d.) 'Viburnum opulus - an overview'. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/viburnum-opulus Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/viburnum-opulus

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