Back to Top. Blackhaw Viburnum Image Gallery Blackhaw fruit. Black Haw was used extensively by the Native Americans, its berries as a food source and its root bark in many types of herbal remedies. Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) Description: This is a branched woody shrub or small tree up to 15' tall. What are the benefits of cramp bark? Black haw is used for increasing urine (as a diuretic) to relieve fluid retention; and for treating … The bark is reddish-brown, very rough on old stems. When I watched Aunt Bett delicately peel small pieces of bark from the trunk of black haw… Contemporary research indicates that a bark decoction probably acts as a uterine sedative and alleviates cramps, but it is doubtful it can prevent abortion or miscarriage. Native American tribes in the Northeast used the bark and the leaves as a diuretic and to treat swollen glands and eye problems. Dig up the root in the fall and strip off the bark. Also known as sweet haw and stag bush, black haw is a member of the honeysuckle family of flowering plants. Like cramp bark, it is known to relieve menstrual cramps, but they are definitely two totally different plants. Its genus name hints at the shape of the plant’s leaves, which are similar in appearance to plum leaves. How does it work? Cramp bark is weaker, containing about a third of the resins of black haw. Nat. Preparations: Fluid Extract of Viburnum Prunifolium Related entries: Viburnum Opulus (U. S. P.)—Viburnum Opulus "The bark of Viburnum prunifolium, Linné"—(U. S. P.). People use the root bark and its extracts to make medicine. 5 Health Benefits of Cramp Bark. Black-haw viburnum is a large shrub or a small, native tree. Blackhaw-bark. So now I know. Cramp bark (Viburnum opulis), usually is used alternately with black haw. Here are some of the top ways it has been known to … Leaves are opposite, petiolate, roughly dentate, 3 to 5 lobed, green on both surfaces and softly pubescent beneath. The flower buds ovate, 1 cm long, much larger than the axillary buds. The Catawba people used black haw bark to treat dysentery. Formulas or Dosages. Blackhaw-flowers. They used a decoction of Black Haw to treat gynecological conditions, including menstrual cramps, aiding recovery after childbirth, and in treating venereal diseases. The young bark of small branches is gray and slightly rough, while the old bark of the trunk or larger branches is grey and rough with flat-topped plates. Ord.—Caprifoliaceae. Black haw is sometimes called cramp bark (erroneously). In fall, black fruits contrast with the pinkish-red foliage. COMMON NAMES: Black haw, Sloe, Stag bush, Sloe-leaved viburnum. What is black haw used for? Black Haw has gray to brown bark and green as well as grooved branches. Don't confuse cramp bark with black haw (Vibernum prunifolium), which is sometimes referred to as cramp bark. cut & sifted black haw bark. The winter buds are coated with rusty tomentum. The branchlets are red at first, then green, finally dark brown tinged with red. While black haw is often used as a less expensive substitute for cramp bark, it is highly respected among traditional healers and medical herbalists. Black haw is a shrub that is native to the woodlands of central and southern North America. Blackhaw-immature-fruit. A great plant for naturalized areas. The herb was a favourite with the Eclectics of 19th century America. The Meskwaki people took the herb for cramps and pains throughout the body. In spring new leaves emerge copper-colored followed by white, flat-topped flowers. Used the bark and the leaves as a diuretic and to treat dysentery sometimes..., stag bush, Sloe-leaved viburnum favourite with the Eclectics of 19th America... 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