Materia Medica | Cramp Bark

Viburnum opulus L.

Cramp bark

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) Family

Other Names: Highbush Cranberry, Snowball Tree, Guelder Rose

Parts Used: Dried bark

Principal Constituents: Hydroquinones (arbutin, methylarbutin, free hydroquinone); coumarins (scopoletin & scopoline); tannins (mainly catechins)

Main actions: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nervine, hypotensive, astringent, emmenagogue

Contraindications: Cramp Bark should not be used in those with liver dysfunction due to hydroquinone concentrations.

Cramp Bark is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia, but also grows well in the moist lowland forests of North America.

Cramp Bark is one of those herbal allies that immediately comes to mind when us herbalists think of menstrual pain and dysregulation, due to it’s anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and emmenagogue actions - being a helpful tool in treating dysmenorrhea. Cramp Bark is a wonderful herb to have on hand for many other inflammatory muscular conditions as well! While Cramp Bark has an affinity to the uterus, it is helpful in relieving voluntary and involuntary muscular spasms, and its anti-inflammatory action helps restore sympathetic & parasympathetic balance.

We utilize Cramp Bark in our Hormone Support supplement as well as in custom formulations for spasmodic conditions like chronic migraine.