Black Haw Bark

History:

Black Haw is one of about 150 species of evergreen and deciduous viburnums, including shrubs and bushy trees; and it is said to be native to North America, particularly southern Canada and northeastern United States, where it may be found on rocky hillsides, in thickets, woods and on shores and borders of streams. The tree may also be found growing in the thickets and hedgerows of England and northern Europe. Black Haw is a hardy, deciduous ornamental that resembles the elder tree, growing to a height of thirty feet and producing shiny, green leaves, topped with heads of snow-white flowers and drooping clusters of blue-black berries. The bark of the shrub or tree, depending upon its geographic location, is reddish-brown and as it ages, becomes rough. The prunifolium** species produces a larger-fruited berry than its relative, Vibernum opulus (also called Cramp Bark), and it was used in Colonial days as a delicious preserve (always cooked, as the berries can be poisonous). Although its applications are similar in nature, the prunifolium species (Black Haw) is considered slightly weaker in its antispasmodic actions on the uterus than its Viburnum opulus cousin. Black Haw thrives in deep, moist soil in sun or partial shade, and the bark is stripped before the leaves change color in autumn or before the leaf buds open in the springtime and dried for use in herbal therapies. It is sometimes also called Cramp Bark and shares many of its stronger cousin's common names because it is so closely related to it and has similar therapeutic properties. Black Haw Bark was a remedy among the Native Americans (although its use has not been well documented), who employed it for venereal disease. However, early settlers, by contrast, amply recorded its uses. Although the plant was used in the early 1800s in American home remedies, the first published mention of it appeared in 1857, in the American Family Physician, by Dr. John King, who described it as a "uterine tonic." Doctors largely prescribed it to halt miscarriage, and also recommended it as a natural treatment for menstrual cramps and the after-pains of childbirth. The plant was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopœia from 1882 to 1926, now omitted, but introduced into the National Formulary as an herbal antispasmodic and sedative. While the early applications of Black Haw Bark included its use during pregnancy to diminish miscarriage, this use is no longer recommended. Some of the constituents included in Black Haw Bark are esculetin (or æsculetin), scopoletin, valerianic acid, oleanic and ursolic acid, essential oil, coumarins, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, tannin, 1-methyl-2,3 clibutyl hemimellitate, resin and the bitter glycoside, viburnine. Initially, researchers thought Viburnum prunifolium contained salicin, which was proven later to be arbutin, and it also contains beta-sitosterol, which is a phytoestrogenic sterol.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) to three (3) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at a morning or midday mealtime.

Contraindications:
Pregnant women should not use Black Haw Bark Herbal Supplement unless under the care of a physician, and it should not be taken with blood thinning medication, because of the coumarin constituents in the plant that may cause you to bleed more easily. Black Haw may cause hypotension in large doses or even in average doses if given to previously hypotensive individuals. The bitter principle, viburnine, may cause gastroenteritis.

Capsule Information:
Our Black Haw Bark supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
If any medical terms on our website are confusing or unknown, we have compiled a small dictionary of terms for you. Click here for our Definitions, and go directly to the word in question for further information.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.