-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Viburnum spp. (Crampbark, Blackhaw)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Viburnum opulus, Viburnum prunifolium (usually considered as similar remedies)
synonyms: Guelder rose, snowball tree, crampbark, blackhaw.
part(s) used: bark of rootor stem
qualities: bitter, slightly astringent, cool, dry
affinities: muscle, both smooth (uterus/bronchii/gut) and striated (cardiac/skeletal)muscle
actions:spasmolytic, antispasmodic, astringent, sedative, nervine, uterine tonic, antidiarrheal, hypotensive and cardioprotective . Relaxing voluntary and involuntary muscular spasm. More efficacious on smooth muscle with a particular restorative affinity for the uterus. V. opulus has more cardiac actions than V. prunifolium.
dosage:
» dried: 2.5-5.0g herb to 1 cup water, drink 1 cup three times daily
» tincture: (1:5 70%) 5-10ml TID2 - 4 ml.
» topical: used externally(can be used liberally) as linament
therapy: Uterine cramping, all muscle spasm, hypertension (neurocardiac syndrome) Bronchospasm, dry, irritating cough. Uterine dysfunction, PMS cramps, threatened miscarriage, false labour pains, Braxton-Hicks contractions, Partus praeparator menopausal menorrhagia,congestive dysmenorrhea. Tension headaches. In skeletal muscle spasm can be used topically.
specific indications: uterine cramps
constituents:
» Coumarins incl scopoletin; aesculitin.
» Flavonoids- astragalin, aesculin, amentoflavone;
» Hydroquinones- arbutin, methyl arbutin, hydroquinone
» Viburnum opulus does not contain hydroquinones.
» Volatile oil: valerianic, butyric caproic and caprylic acids,
» Miscell - tannin, resin, bitter principle (prunifolium only)
pharmacology:
V. opulus extracts are hypotensive, lower heart rate and blood pressure in animal studies. Scopoletin is a PAF antagonist. Polyphenol fractions of V.opulus also inhibit enzymes such as elastase, trypsin, and ACE suggesting a cardioprotective and antithrombotic activity. Uterine relaxant activity has been confirmed by animal studies, with the volatile fraction most active, although the coumarins are known to spasmolytic. V opulus has greater spasmolytic activity than V. prunifolium in studies where identification was authenticated. Spasmolytic action is directly myogenic since neurotransmitter blockades do not abolish its effectiveness.(reviewed, Brinker 1995)
clinical trials:
there are no clinical trials in the literature using the Viburnum species.
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating:
» V. opulus: 1
» V. prunifolium: 2d
toxicity: 0
» V. prunifolium should be used with caution by individuals with a history of kidney stones (McGuffin, 1997). This is a speculative contraindication based on the possible presence of oxalates in V. prunifolium.
drug interactions:
none known


footnotes

Several negative pharmacological studies prior to 1940 were reviewed by Brinker (Brinker, 1995) and found to be unreliable because there was no authentification of the plants used in the studies.


Brinker,F.1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries, Eclectic Medical Publications, Sandy,Oregon, 1995.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.