July 5, 2002

BLACK HAW

Latin Name: Viburnum prunifolium

Alternate Names: Sweet Viburnum, Stagbush, American Sloe, Nannybush

Family: CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Parts Used: Bark, root, berries.

Properties: Analgesic, Astringent, Antispasmodic, Hypotensive, Nervine, Sedative, Uterine Tonic, Tonic.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Arthritis, Asthma, Cramps, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, False Labor, Hemorrhage, Hypertension, Hysteria, Menopause, Morning Sickness, Postpartum Pain, Rheumatism, Threatened Miscarriage, Uterine Prolapse

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Its use for hemorrhage is confined to birthing and menopause. It can relax peripheral blood vessels, thus lowering high blood pressure. Scopoletin is a powerful uterine relaxant.

Energetics: Bitter, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Amentoflavone, coumarins (scopoletin, aesculetin), salicin, oleanic acid, ursolic acid, isovalerianic acidscopoletine, phytosterol, aesculetine, viburnine, essential oil.

Contraindications: Do not eat raw fruit. People allergic to aspirin may be sensitive to Black Haw. Can safely be used throughout pregnancy.

Comments: Black Haw was used during the period of American slavery to prevent abortions.

-- Phil in KS (cshomestead@planetkc.com), July 05, 2002