Wild Cherry as an Herb

(Prunus serotina)

From ancient times the cherry has been associated with virginity, the red colored fruit with the enclosed seed symbolizing the uterus.

In Danish folklore, a good crop of cherries was insured by having the first ripe fruit eaten by a woman shortly after her first child was born. Many myths used cherries as symbols of both education and concealment.

The tree is most abundant and grows to its full size in the south-western States. The root-bark is of most value, but that of the trunk and branches is also utilized. This bark must be freshly collected each season as its properties deteriorate greatly if kept longer than a year.

Medicinal Uses for Walnut

The bark is also about 1/2 percent hydrogen cyanide, just enough to stop coughing and to relax the bronchial tubes without having any other physiological effects.

It has the odor of almonds, which almost disappears on drying, but is renewed by maceration. Its taste is aromatic, prussic, and bitter. It imparts its virtues to water or alcohol, boiling impairs its medicinal properties.

Wild Cherry Bark is a very good expectorant. It is useful for all illnesses that have related lung congestion. The bark is boiled down into a syrup, which is safe to use even for small children.

Culinary

Wild cherry is eaten plain, added to pies, jams, juice, liqueurs and wine.

Cautions

All stone fruits (cherries, apples, apricots, peaches, plums, pears) contain very low levels of hydrogen cyanide in their bark and pits. The concentration is low enough to be considered therapeutic, but don't take the whole bottle all at once! Not recommended for small children, nursing mothers, pregnant women, or people with severe kidney or liver disease. Not recommended for long term use.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.