Wild Black Cherry

WILD BLACK CHERRY

Uses of the Wild Black Cherry Tree

The wild black cherry tree has had many uses attributed to it. The bittersweet, somewhat wine- flavored cherries can be simmered, stewed, baked into pies and puddings and jellies and jams. Wild black cherry fruits have are also used to flavor liqueurs and spirits including rum like the well known liqueur Cherry Bounce. The wild black cherry is commonly used instead of sweet cherries in order to achieve a sharper taste. Wild black cherry is well known for its rich, reddish-brown colored strong hard close-grained wood used in cabinets and fine quality furniture. It is also used in herbal medicine extensively by Native Americans mainly in treating coughs, the authentic wild cherry cough syrup is still created from extracts from the inner bark of the wild black cherry tree.

History in the use of the Wild Black Cherry Tree

Native Americans who were the first to use wild black cherry medicinally, used the aromatic inner bark to brew a tea or syrup which was used to relieve coughs and colds. Infusions made from the inner bark of the wild cherry were also used as a wash for sores and ulcers, for easing childbirth, a cure for headaches, reducing fevers, and controlling bouts of diarrhea. Years later it was adopted by early colonists as a herbal medicine and used for brewing wild cherry bark tea as a excellent expectorant in treating coughs. Present-day herbalist still recommend wild black cherry bark for treating chronic and dry coughs, bronchitis, diarrhea, nervous indigestion, and to relieve pain. It is also recommended for use as a tonic for those recovering from convalescence.

Cultivation and Preparation and Medicinal uses of the Wild Black Cherry Tree

Wild black cherry can grow up to 80 feet tall and live up to 150 years. A mature Black Cherry can easily be identified in a forest by its very broken, dark grey to black bark, which has the appearance of very thick, burnt potato chips. During the first decade or so of its life, the bark resembles that of a Birch, and is thin and striped. It is this outer bark of the young Wild Cherry tree that is used medicinally. It can tolerate a wide variety of soils but it is not very fond of shade. In the use of herbal medicine, the root bark is highly prized but the inner bark from the trunk and branches is also used. The inner bark which has a faint odor of almonds and has a bitter, acidic taste is stripped in autumn and winter and then dried for herbal preparations. The wild black cherry bark must be collected each season because its therapeutic components deteriorate if stored for longer than one year. The wild black cherry bark, leaves, and seeds comprise of a cyanide-like glycoside ( a organic compound) called prunasin. Prunasin alleviates coughs by suppressing spasms in the smooth muscles lining the bronchioles (branching air tubes) of the lungs, thereby quieting the cough reflex. With its powerful sedative action, wild black cherry is especially useful for treating persistent and irritating coughs like bronchitis and whooping cough. Wild black cherry bark and fruits can be ingested in small amounts without a problem if healthy. It is when the bark or leaves or fruit are damaged by frost, wind blown down, drought, wilting, the prunasin is broken down and the poison cyanide is released.

Contraindication's

Pregnant and nursing women should not use Cherry Bark, neither should people who are being treated for hypo-tension. The leaves and fruit pits contain poisonous prussic acid and should never be ingested.