Cramp Bark Uses and Plant Monograph
This probably won’t surprise you, given its common name, but cramp bark is exceptional at relieving muscle cramps. It has a special affinity for smooth muscle tissues but works well for striated muscles as well.
“Specifically indicated in irregular uterine contractions, it is also used for muscle spasms of all types, including in smooth and skeletal muscles, bronchi (such as in asthma), arteries (contributing to hypertension), and the bladder. Its effect on smooth muscle appears to be greater than on skeletal muscle.”
- American Herbal Pharmacopoeia
Cramp bark for cramps! Sounds simple enough!
But plants rarely are that simple and instead have more complex ways of working in the body. For example, herbalist jim mcdonald categorizes cramp bark as an herb that “relaxes tissues and astringes tissues.” He feels that it both astringes mucosa and relaxes the underlying muscle tissues.
This monograph will look at the myriad of ways that cramp bark works to relieve muscle cramping and astringe tissues, how to use cramp bark with the best results, and how to avoid using it like a bandaid solution without ever getting to the root cause of the problem.
Menstrual Cramps
Cramp bark is the herb that many herbalists reach for to relieve painful menstrual cramps. It seems to work best if taken 1-2 days before cramping starts, but can also be taken as needed.
Cramp bark is considered a uterine decongestant. Signs of uterine congestion include bloating, cramping before menstruation as well as delayed menses. It can also be a pattern associated with endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts.
I’ve talked to many women who have had menstrual cramps their whole life and think that this is “natural.” Painful menstruation is not natural! It’s a symptom and can be addressed.
My take-home message is that yes, cramp bark is stellar for relieving painful menstrual cramping. However, if a woman is continually experiencing painful cramps, or other PMS symptoms, then it is far better to get to the root cause of the matter and get rid of them once and for all!
“The chief therapeutic error made when treating acute severe menstrual cramps is to under dose, both in the size of the dose and its frequency. The German author R.F. Weiss suggests minimum doses of 20-30 drops, and a maximum of a teaspoon (Weiss). Doses may be repeated every several hours. Ellingwood suggests 20 drops every hour.”
- Paul Bergner, NAIMH Course Materials
Cramp Bark Uses & Plant Profile Summary
- Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus
- Other Common Names: guelder rose
- Family: Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)
- Parts Used: mainly bark but also berries
- Energetics: cool, dry
- Taste: bitter
- Plant Properties: relaxant, anti-spasmodic, astringent, sedative, diuretic
- Plant Uses: menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, early labor, miscarriage, pain, difficulty urinating, bowel cramps (IBS), diarrhea, child enuresis (bedwetting), spasmodic coughing, asthma, arthritis, muscle strain, seizures, high blood pressure, lockjaw (historic use)
- Plant Preparations: bark: decoction, tincture; berries: food-like preparations (used medicinally)
Urinary Pain
Urinary tract infections and bladder infections are often associated with frequent and painful urination. Cramp bark can relieve the pain and decrease the urgent frequency as well. Of course the infection itself will still need to be addressed, but cramp bark will ease a lot of the discomfort.
“Cramp bark combines well with bearberry for bladder infections with painful cramping and frequent urination with little passed.”?
- Herbalpedia, Bowel Cramping (IBS, Diarrhea)
Cramp bark can also relieve the pain of cramping that originates in the bowel. This is especially useful for more chronic conditions like IBS.
For acute cases of diarrhea, such as in food poisoning, we don’t necessarily want to prematurely stop the diarrhea. However, it is doubtful that cramp bark would have an inhibitory effect.
Spasmodic Coughing
Spasmodic coughing can be the worst kind of cough. This cough is characterized by a dry cough, meaning no mucus is expectorated, and often gets worse at night. It can be spasmodic in nature, resulting in repeated coughing that keeps you from sleep, burns the throat and is all-around unpleasant.
Antispasmodic herbs like cramp bark can relieve the muscle spasm causing this type of cough and promote restful sleep.
High Blood Pressure
There are many causes for high blood pressure and many ways to find solutions for high blood pressure. Cramp bark can relieve tension in the cardiac muscle, arteries and veins, which can contribute to decreased blood pressure. This is especially suited for the person with lots of stress, tension and a type A attitude. Of course, diet, lifestyle and other cardiac herbs will need to be used to make a difference in someone’s long-term health.
Muscle Cramps
Have you ever “thrown out your back”? I have, countless times. One minute you’re doing a seemingly innocent thing like picking something off the floor (or you’re totally overdoing it gardening) and bam! something slips out of place and the pain increases steadily until lifting your pinky finger creates excruciating pain.
After a while the muscles around the area seize up, which immobilizes you even more. This is not necessarily a bad thing! Those seized muscles are protecting this vulnerable area. The holistic approach here is rest! Popping some pills or herbs then heading back out to the garden is not a good idea and it can injure you further.
I often use cramp bark as a fomentation over cramped muscles when I’ve thrown out my back AND I rest and stay mostly immobilized. The cramp bark fomentation significantly decreases the discomfort, but I am also not going to push myself too much and increase the risk of further injury.
Another common way that cramp bark can be used is for restless legs. Restless legs are when your legs jump and move involuntarily as you are falling asleep. The underlying cause needs to be addressed, whether it is a nervous system issue or nutrient deficiencies (hint: magnesium deficiency is common). However, while figuring out what is going on, cramp bark tincture or tea can relieve the spastic muscles and promote sleep.
Threatened Miscarriage, Early Labor and Labor
Cramp bark is used by midwives for both a threatened miscarriage, early labor and during labor. Kinda sounds a bit contradictory. That’s the beautiful complexity of herbs.
Cramp bark can relax the uterus to stop uterine contractions if they are happening too early such as in a threatened miscarriage or early labor. However, cramp bark also helps to tone and regulate contractions, which can facilitate a healthy labor.
“Even though cramp bark is a uterine relaxant, it does not appear to interfere with labor. Rather, it promotes uterine muscle tone and regulates the rhythm of the contractions, resulting in effective uterine contractions. Cramp bark is also indicated for afterpains and is useful in helping the uterus to regain its normal shape.”
- American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Tension Headaches
Headaches and migraines that are associated with tension respond well to formulas that include cramp bark. Here’s an example of such a formula from herbalist Robert Dale Rogers.
“For migraines associated with stress, combine with hawthorn, linden, marsh hedge nettle, and skullcap.”
- Robert Dale Rogers
Plant Preparations
As the name indicates we primary use the bark for medicine. Cramp bark can be used in a variety of ways.
- It works well as a tincture or alcohol extract. A small amount of glycerin can be added to accentuate the astringency.
- Decoction of the bark works well. I often add some chai spices like ginger and cinnamon to mask the acrid taste.
- It can be used externally, but as an infused oil or as a fomentation.
Aviva Romm recommends the following tincture for pain in children.
“Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) – Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) tincture (a 50/50 combination) is a reliable alternative to ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain relief.
Give 5-10 drops to children under 5; 10-20 drops to children 5-12, and 2-3 mL to older children. Repeat the dose in 15- 20 minutes, then every 2-4 hours as needed. Jamaican dogwood is said to cause respiratory paralysis in excessive doses; do not exceed the above doses and keep out of reach of children.”
- Aviva Romm, Plant Healer #6
William Cook wrote in 1869 that his favorite cramp bark preparation was a syrup.
“The best method of preparation is in some compound sirup; but it may be formed into decoction by macerating two ounces in a quart of hot water, expressing, evaporating to half a pint, and giving a fluid ounce three or four times a day.”
- Cook Materia Medica, 1869
The Berries as Food and Medicine
I have no experience using the berries as food or medicine, so I rely on herbalist Robert Dale Rogers for the following:
“The berries are rich in Vitamins C and K, and are used for coughs, colds, or a daily cordial that helps keep hypertension in check. The berries are tart, but delicious and can be preserved as a jam or ketchup for wild game. The berries contain water-soluble polysaccharides that possess immune stimulating activity and enhance phagocytosis.”
- Robert Dale Rogers
Cramp Bark Dosage
The following comes from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia monograph
- Powder: 1-4 g or as needed
- Decoction: 1 g per 1 cup water. 2-3 cups daily
- Tincture (1:5; 45% to 55%): 2-4 mL 3 times daily
- Fluid Extract: (1:1; 45% to 55%)
- Young girls: 10-30 drops daily
- Adults: up to 1/2 tbsp as needed
Special Considerations
The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia says that there is no known contraindication or toxicity associated with cramp bark. Other herbalists list the following special considerations.
- Avoid if allergic to aspirin (or for small children)
- Might aggravate tinnitus
- Avoid use with blood thinners
- May lower blood pressure
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