Omnia SanaCommon names in 14 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, with 14 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Deciduous tree (Rosaceae), 15-30 m tall, with dark, scaly, aromatic bark that has a distinctive bitter-almond smell when cut or crushed (from cyanogenic compounds). Leaves are glossy dark green, elliptical and finely toothed. Small white flowers are borne in drooping racemes, followed by small, dark purple-black cherries that are edible when fully ripe but otherwise bitter.[12]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to eastern North America, growing in a wide range of woodland, forest-edge and open habitats on well-drained soils; widely naturalised and, in parts of Europe, considered an invasive tree.[12]
Harvesting
Bark is stripped from the trunk and larger branches, traditionally in autumn, and must be thoroughly dried before use - fresh bark has a much higher cyanogenic-glycoside content and is more toxic.[13]
Key Constituents
Releases trace hydrogen cyanide that calms the cough reflex - the basis of both the antitussive action and the safety caution.
Astringent and aromatic supporting constituents.
Bio-guided fractionation of the bark identified naringenin and trimethoxy-benzene/benzoic-acid compounds; the bark extract also showed antiparasitic (cysticidal) activity in laboratory studies.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Antispasmodic for bronchial cough and bronchitis (eases spasm of the airways)
inferred from anticancer action
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
Antispasmodic for bronchial cough and bronchitis (eases spasm of the airways); Antitussive - calms a persistent dry, irritating cough (prunasin quietens the cough reflex)
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
Soothes sore throat and respiratory irritation (traditional)
Traditional Use & History
Wild cherry bark has a long Native American and European settler tradition as a cough remedy, valued specifically for its unusual cough-suppressant action - from the cyanogenic glycoside prunasin, which releases a trace, sedating amount of cyanide that calms the cough reflex. It remains a classic ingredient of traditional cough syrups.[12, 13]
Preparations
Dosage
Traditional guidance suggests roughly 1-2 g dried bark per cup as a decoction, up to three times daily, using only properly dried bark; avoid large or prolonged doses given the cyanogenic-glycoside content, and avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Contains cyanogenic compounds: use only properly dried, prepared bark and avoid large or prolonged doses (fresh bark has a higher toxic content). It suppresses the cough reflex, so it suits dry, unproductive coughs - not productive coughs where mucus needs clearing.
Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding because of the cyanogenic glycosides.
Harvest Readiness
[14]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Telichowska, A., Kobus-Cisowska, J. and Szulc, P (2020) 'Phytopharmacological Possibilities of Bird Cherry Prunus padus L. and Prunus serotina L. Species and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals', Nutrients, 12(7), pp. 1966. doi:10.3390/nu12071966 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12071966 - Luna-Vazquez, F.J., Ibarra-Alvarado, C., Rojas-Molina, A., Romo-Mancillas, A. and others (2016) 'Role of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide in the Vasodilator Effect of Ursolic Acid and Uvaol from Black Cherry Prunus serotina Fruits', Molecules, 21(1), pp. 78. doi:10.3390/molecules21010078 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21010078 - Palomares-Alonso, F., Rojas-Tome, I.S., Palencia Hernandez, G., Jimenez-Arellanes, M.A., Macias-Rubalcava, M.L. and others (2017) 'In vitro and in vivo cysticidal activity of extracts and isolated flavanone from the bark of Prunus serotina: A bio-guided study', Acta Tropica, pp. 1--7. doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.023 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.023 - Robakowski, P., Bielinis, E., Stachowiak, J., Mejza, I. and Bulaj, B (2016) 'Seasonal Changes Affect Root Prunasin Concentration in Prunus serotina and Override Species Interactions between P. serotina and Quercus petraea', Journal of Chemical Ecology, 42(3), pp. 202-214. doi:10.1007/s10886-016-0678-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-016-0678-y - Gallardo-Rivera, C.T., Lu, A., Trevino-Garza, M.Z., Garcia-Marquez, E. and others (2021) 'Valorization of Capulin Almond (Prunus serotina) by Obtaining Bioactive Compounds', Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, pp. 663953. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.663953 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.663953 - Sile, I., Videja, M., Makrecka-Kuka, M., Tirzite, D. and others (2020) 'Chemical composition of Prunus padus L. flower extract and its anti-inflammatory activities in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 268, pp. 113678. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113678 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113678 - Olszewska, M.A. and Kwapisz, A (2011) 'Metabolite profiling and antioxidant activity of Prunus padus L. flowers and leaves', Natural Product Research, 25(12), pp. 1115-1131. doi:10.1080/14786410903230359 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786410903230359 - Santos Pimenta, L.P., Schilthuizen, M., Verpoorte, R. and Choi, Y.H (2013) 'Quantitative analysis of amygdalin and prunasin in Prunus serotina Ehrh. using 1H-NMR spectroscopy', Phytochemical Analysis, 25(2), pp. 122-126. doi:10.1002/pca.2476 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.2476 - Rivero-Cruz, B (2014) 'Simultaneous quantification by HPLC of the phenolic compounds for the crude drug of Prunus serotina subsp. capuli', Pharmaceutical Biology, 52(8), pp. 1015-1020. doi:10.3109/13880209.2013.876054 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.876054 - Yamaguchi, K., Liggett, J.L., Kim, N.C. and Baek, S.J (2006) 'Anti-proliferative effect of horehound leaf and wild cherry bark extracts on human colorectal cancer cells', Oncology Reports, 15(1), pp. 275-281. doi:10.3892/or.15.1.275 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3892/or.15.1.275 - Alvarez-Suarez, J.M., Carrillo-Perdomo, E., Aller, A., Giampieri, F., Gasparrini, M., Gonzalez-Perez, L., Beltran-Ayala, P. and Battino, M (2017) 'Anti-inflammatory effect of Capuli cherry against LPS-induced cytotoxic damage in RAW 264.7 macrophages', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 102, pp. 46-52. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.01.024 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.01.024 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina): Benefits, Uses, Research'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-cherry/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-cherry/ - The Herbal Medic (n.d.) 'Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina) - Soothing Herb for Coughs & Lungs'. Available at: https://theherbalmedic.co.uk/wild-cherry-prunus-serotina Traditional / reference
https://theherbalmedic.co.uk/wild-cherry-prunus-serotina - Plants For A Future 'Prunus serotina (Wild Cherry, Black Cherry)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+serotina Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+serotina
Selected studies & references
All 13 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.