Botanical Index No. 121

Black Haw

viburnum prunifolium

Medicinal Actions

Antiabortive, Anticonvulsive, Antidiarrheic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Sedative, Tonic, Uterorelaxant, Uterotonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Nervine Abortion Ague Alcoholism Amenorrhea Asthma Bleeding Cardiopathy Chorea Congestion Convulsion Cramp Diarrhea Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Fever Enterosis Epilepsy Glossosis Gynecopathy Headache Hiccup Hysteria Inflammation Insomnia Intermittent Claudication Jaundice Lethargy Menorrhagia Miscarriage Nervousness Ophthalmia Pain Palpitation Paralysis Parturition Singultus Smallpox Uterosis Uterrhagia Water Retention

General Dosage

2 tsp dry bark/cup water; 2–5 g powdered bark; 1–2 g powdered bark; 2–8 ml bark elixir; 4–8 ml liquid bark extract; up to 2 tsp tincture 3 ×/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Patients with kidney stone should use only with caution because of oxalates. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. HH3 notes a CNS-Depressant result of overdose. In animals it takes some 5–7 g scu to cause cardiac arrest. Salicin has many of the same activities as salicylates. According to WOI, salicin may impart the marked sedative action to the bark, reportedly polymerizing to form an alcohol soluble sedative that is even more relaxant. Scopoletin, with uterosedative activity, probably works by blocking

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